Maine Befalls to Stand Up Paddling Craze

YORK BEACH, Maine – Of the many newfound benefits of stand up paddling, staying fairly dry and warm is undoubtedly one of them, especially if you’re in the northeast of the US in a place like Maine. For the past several years, Mark Anastas from Liquid Dreams surf shop in Ogunquit and York beach, Maine has been exploring the added value of stand up paddling. “I have had my shop for 14 yrs and was one of the 1st to SUP here in Maine about 4 or 5 yrs ago,” says Anastas. “That’s right 5yrs ago on a 12ft G&S longboard and a boat orr.”

Mark Anastas catches a few waves on his stand up paddle board in Maine, with all layers available to keep him as warm as possible.
And as predicted, the ubiquitous yearning to stay warm has led many others in the land of lobsters and clams to hop up and sup. Anastas has experienced this trend at his own shop. “Sup has been growing here the last 2 yrs with last year being crazy. Our shops sold over 70 boards last year and had a ton of rentals, lessons and tours.”

And the craze doesn’t stop here. Despite of the depressed economic mood that befalls much of the world market, insiders of the stand up paddle industry are beaming with optimistic forecasts. In his own part of the country, Anastas predicts a significant growth in his sup business on a year-to-year projection. He says: “This year SUP is going to be 2times what it was last year here in Maine.”