What's SUP? Stand up paddling, silly.

A business in Orlando is bringing a new water sport to lake-filled Winter Park.

Stand up paddling, SUP for those in the know, put simply, is standing on an oversized surfboard and paddling on top of water. Modern SUP became popular in the 1960s in Hawaii. It's re-emerged in the past couple of years, and its popularity has spread from the West Coast all the way to the inland lakes of Winter Park.

Paddleboard Orlando, started by Baldwin Park resident Kim DePasquale, offers rentals, private lessons and sells the boards.

DePasquale first tried it last May in Anna Maria Island, fell in love, and when she couldn't find a rental place close to home, decided to start the company.

"I just can't get enough of paddling; I get a new experience each time," DePasquale said. "If I could paddle every day I would."

DePasquale boasts that it's incredibly easy to learn, so don't let the surfboard part intimidate you.

"Anybody can do this, it doesn't matter what size or shape you are," she said.

This makes it a great family sport, she said. She spends much of her time paddling with her family. Her youngest sits on the front of her board, while her other daughter and husband paddle on their own.

Paddleboard Orlando offered an open event for anyone to try SUP on March 22. Most in attendance were first-time paddlers, and all hopped on with ease, cruising around Lake Virginia within minutes. While some were timid at first, once securely in place on the board, they seemed excited about their accomplishment.

"I was nervous that I was going to fall in, but it is really stable," said Carla Bruce, a first-time paddler. "It's just kind of freeing once you're out there."

Not only is SUP a way to spend some time outdoors, it's quite a workout. DePasquale described one hour of paddling as being like running a 5K. She also loves that it's a multipurpose activity for her.

"It's the only sport where I can hang out with my girlfriends, get a workout and enjoy nature at the same time," she said.

DePasquale, a certified yoga instructor, is also taking the workout to a new level, what she calls "yoga on water." She's coined this phrase and said she's one of the first to practice yoga on the boards. She plans to offer classes where her students are literally surrounded by nature. The idea came the first time she tried the sport.

"When I got on the board I thought, 'This is a yoga mat on water.'"

Ibrahim Toure, a fellow yoga teacher and new paddler, said that the tranquility of the water makes it a perfect match for yoga. The peace of mind he'd get from practicing on water would be the draw for him to use the board again.

"A good workout is an accessory benefit," Toure said.

But his tranquility was disturbed for a moment when he tried a complicated yoga move on the board and fell in the water.

"It was wonderful; once I fell in I was able to not fear falling anymore."

That's the kind of attitude DePasquale said is necessary for the sport.

"Keep an open mind and give it a shot," she said.

Paddleboard Orlando

Check out Paddleboard Orlando's Web site at www.paddleboardorlando.com, or give them a call at 407-718-0021. A one day rental is $75.