What Is SUP Ball?

SUP Ball season is here, and so I thought I’d address the question on everyone’s lips… what on earth is SUP Ball??

Just imagine a ball game inspired by Netball but played on SUPs… on the water.

Easy right?

Here are a couple of key things you need to know…

You score a goal for your team by hitting a big orange buoy on the water
Never managed to score a goal at Netball in high school? Fear not. Our SUP Ball goal is much bigger and easier to reach! In SUP Ball our on-water ‘court’ is marked by two big orange buoys (one at each end of the court). The idea is to try and hit the buoy/goal at the other end of the ‘court’ while simultaneously defending the buoy/goal at your end of the ‘court’.
It’s THE BEST way to overcome any fear of falling
Paddlers say it every season, SUP ball is one of the best ways to overcome your wobbles and fears of falling. In our ‘Intro to SUP Ball Lesson + Game’ we include instruction on ‘how’ to fall safely so that your first fall is completed in a safe environment where you’re in control. However once everyone’s fallen once (on purpose) the fear starts to disappear. Then combine that with your concentration on the game and competitive spirit, and suddenly you forget all about those niggling concerns and are happily overcoming any wobbles!
A previous She SUPs paddler described it as ‘liberating’ because after her first SUP Ball game, she’d lost the fear of falling and then felt excited about trying new things with her SUP.
You’re going to get wet
While SUP Ball can be played kneeling or sitting, the most efficient way of playing is with all paddlers standing… and no matter your position, you’re likely to get wet! It’s a fast game, with paddles and balls flying everywhere, so wear your swimmers!
There is a ‘contact’ version but don’t worry - we play ‘non-contact’!!
SUP Ball was ‘invented’ by the team at Manly Kayak Centre and as the interest in the sport grew, so did their annual Summer tournament! As the groups became more and more competitive, they developed two sets of rules ‘contact’ and ‘non-contact’. The ‘contact’ version of SUP ball moves away from the Netball rules, and starts to look a little more like rugby with players allowed to tackle their opponents off their boards! Sounds hectic right? However, fear not, She SUPs only plays by the ‘non-contact’ rules, so there are no tackles in our sessions!
It’s the most fun workout you’ll have this year
If you’re a competitive soul and really get into SUP ball… it’s a work out. But the best kind of work out. With a mixture of ball skills, high intensity paddling as you dash up and down the court, and climbing off and on your SUP, we guarantee you’ll get a full body work out in under an hour!
TOP TIP: If you’re not keen for the high intensity stuff, just position yourself as a defender for your team. Offer to take care of protecting the goal, and you can save yourself a few laps of the court ;)
You don’t need to form a team or know anyone before you arrive, just turn up and we’ll take care of the rest!
One of the main reasons we developed our She SUPs x SUP Ball sessions is because we found that so many women were interested in SUP Ball but were finding it hard to get a group of friends together to play. Therefore our sessions enable independent female paddlers to book in solo but instantly join a team of fellow SUP-loving female paddlers.

Trish demonstrating her master defence skills!

Ready to give SUP ball a try and learn more about the rules and techniques?

If you’ve never played SUP Ball before, the best place to start is our Intro to SUP Ball Lesson & Games! We cover all of the rules, practice throwing the ball from the SUPs, moving up and down the court, learn how to fall safely off your SUP and a few other surprises. We then complete the session with a fun and friendly game!

Check out the calendar below to see when our next session will be - and if you have any questions, please feel free to contact hello@shesups.com.au.

See you on the water!

Vikki
Founder of She SUPs x