[Response of Galaxy of New Generations (gongsup.com) Executive Manager, Patrice Guenole to the question of whether stand up paddle surfing is “revolution” or “evolution.”]

 “With the fortune of surfing nearly 250 sessions per year for the last 20 years, I embrace stand up paddling as an enormous compliment to traditional surfing. I’m still in love with longboarding because it allows me to still ride junk waves weighing 105 kg. I also still love shortboard sessions.

 What I found in stand up paddling is a method to reach maximum satisfaction with minimal frustrations. Indeed, my home break lends itself best to stand up paddling above traditional surfing or any other water sport. It’s simple, easy to enjoy, playful, worry-free, and varied with many peaking waves…this list of pros is long.

 I would say that stand up paddle surfing has allowed me to elevate myself over the wave and give me freedom from the wave alone. Whether it be the tricks, the fear-factor, or frustration of bad days, stand up paddle surfing liberates me.

Oddly, SUP has modified my traditional surfing in surprising directions. I am more unified with the wave, the current, and the flow of the water. In traditional surfing, I feel fish or dolphin-like, nearer to the water, which is what you really want. After stand up paddling, my traditional surfing has become pure and cleansed of all the gimmicks, and has returned me to the fluidity of surfing.

This applies to me, surely not to everyone. As that’s what makes stand up paddle surfing brilliant. SUP is open! Each one finds happiness where he seeks it.

 Stand up paddling is a true element of freedom for me…freedom on my stand up paddleboard and release in my traditional surfing.

 Lately, I had some incredible feelings from the rushing water at take-off, and long lines to the shoulder of the wave.

 In a nutshell, with more than 20,000 hours in the water during my short life, I am more stoked and passionate with each day.

So, is it revolution or evolution? If revolution consists of making a full 360 degree rotation and if the evolution consists of search of oneself, I vote for the synergy of the two.”

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