Modern paddle boarding originated in the 1940s in Hawaii when instructors like Duke Kahanamoku used to stand up on their boards to get better views of the waves and the surfers around them, which was known as Beach Board Surfing. However, in the early 2000s the sport became extremely popular in California. SUP was taught in Hawaii surf schools in the 1990s when there was little swell to surf on. Later it became a popular activity.