5 Surefire Reasons For Baby Boomers And Seniors To Do SUP Paddle Board Fitness in Retirement

Paddle boarding is a popular water sport activity for everyone, regardless of age, size, and ability. In the following article, we discuss how paddle boarding benefits seniors and baby boomers over the age of 55.

Baby Boomers Leaving the Workforce and Entering Retirement

From 2011 to 2030 ~10,000 people are retiring every day. The infamous baby boom following WWII led to over 75 million births over a 20-year period.

Fast forward to 2020 and we are seeing one of the biggest generations gradually entering into retirement. Due to major socio-economic, and medical advances, the older generation is fitter than ever.

Their generation has the potential to live a long and fulfilling retirement. However, in order to remain healthy throughout retirement, physical activity is required on a regular basis. Due to the low impact nature of paddle boarding, it is a highly recommended activity for the older generation.

Why It Is Important To Stay Active After 55?

Regular physical activity positively supports physical and mental health, energy, and independence throughout the aging process. Despite the benefits of physical activity, many people become less active as they age.

Consequently, their sedentary lifestyle is linked to increased rates of injuries, obesity, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, Alzheimer’s, and arthritis.

Regular participation in physical activity helps prevent, or at least delay these deliberating conditions.

Exercise Is Important To Keep Your Brain Sharp And Prevent From Falling into A Funk

Not only does physical activity benefit our physical health, it is also a great way to keep the brain in good condition.

Multiple scientific articles have proven living an active lifestyle is linked to a reduced decline in thinking skills commonly associated with aging.

Why You Should Travel In Your Retirement and Go Paddle Boarding!

Many baby boomers enter retirement and leave home to travel the wonderful world we a fortunate enough to live in. All you need to paddle board is the board, a paddle, and a body of water.

Due to the rapid increase in paddle boarding popularity, there are paddle board rental sites popping up all over the world.

Therefore, all you really need is a body of water. Considering 71% of the world is water, it’s not difficult to travel somewhere and not find a body of water you can go paddle boarding on.

Paddle boarding offers a great way to stay active even when traveling. The great thing about paddle boarding is it can be done at a range of intensities.

It is easy to go on a recreational paddle while exploring the great outdoors. Then you’ve seen new places and, without even thinking, you’ve just also completed your exercise.

We all know it can be difficult to exercise while traveling, so why not use paddle boarding to do both at the same time?

Paddle Boarding Improves Strength, Balance, and Endurance For Seniors

Paddle boarding is a great way to improve your strength, balance, and endurance. Paddle boarding uses all the muscles in your body. To remain stable on your board all muscles will be recruited, from your toes, all the way to your head.

Your core must work particularly hard on the paddle board to provide stability; therefore, paddle boarding is also a great exercise to improve balance.

From high intensity to recreational paddling. Paddle boarding at any level requires the use of your cardiovascular system, therefore also improving your endurance.

Paddle Boarding Improves Mood and Helps Fight Depression

Physical activity can have tremendous short- and long-term mental health benefits. Exercise releases feel good hormones, providing instant mood enhancement.

Additionally, exercise has also been shown to alleviate long-term depression. Entering retirement and old age can be difficult for some. Daily life changes and loved ones may be separated.

Therefore, it’s important you regularly exercise, especially if you’ve already lived an active life. Research has shown people who were active and stop tend to be more depressed than those who maintain or even start exercise.

Paddle boarding is an activity performed outside, on the water. The combination of the outdoors and water provides an extremely therapeutic effect.

Tips for Older Adults and Seniors Getting into SUP Paddle Boarding

Paddle boarding is a very diverse, easy to learn activity. Therefore, is very accessible to many people. However, we do realize paddle boarding can be seen as a scary activity to get in to.

Standing on water isn’t typically viewed as an easy activity, but trust us, it definitely is! To ensure maximal safety we always recommend speaking to your doctor before engaging in physical activity, especially if you have not exercised for a while, or have health issues or concerns.

Once you have received medical clearance, you are ready to get on the board. If it’s your first-time paddle boarding, we recommend having a few private sessions to build up your physical capabilities, confidence, and safety on the water.

If you’re happy to, you can then paddle board on your own or with some friends. If you do go out on your own, just be sure to let someone else know, just to be safe.

Contrary to popular belief. You do not have to stand up on the paddle board. Having improved confidence and fitness you may choose to stand up but it’s not a requirement. Therefore don’t be pressured to do so.

Equipment Recommendations for Older Adults and Seniors Doing SUP Paddle Board Fitness

Fortunately, paddle boarding doesn’t require a lot of equipment. Just a SUP board and a paddle. However, a few accessories might come in handy.

If you’re not 100% comfortable on the water you may choose to wear a buoyancy aid. Therefore, if you do fall into the water you will gain some flotation assistance from the buoyancy aid which will help you get back to safety.

Additionally, you might choose to wear a wetsuit, especially in cooler waters. This will help keep your core temperature warm as you enter the water.

Lastly, bring a whistle in case of any emergencies.

Duration and Frequency For Seniors and Older Adults Over 55

Simply put, paddle board for as long and as often as you want, providing you are physically capable.

Paddle boarding isn’t something you see as a chore, but as something you want to do.

Sure, the more you do the better, but don’t push yourself beyond your limits.

Always remember the physical and mental benefits of paddle boarding, therefore if you are lacking motivation remember how you will feel once you are out on the water enjoying the scenery while being active at the same time.