Stand Up Paddle Tricktionary
The Stand Up Paddle Tricktionary is the most thorough SUP book ever written. Author Fred Bonnef spent over three years compiling 528 pages of technique, theory and photography covering every discipline within stand-up paddling — from flatwater fundamentals to elite-level racing, downwind running, wave surfing, foiling, river SUP and yoga. It is genuinely for all levels: a beginner working through their first strokes will find clear progression, and an experienced racer will find advanced drafting tactics and sprint technique they haven’t seen written down before.
The book features contributions from some of the most accomplished SUP athletes in the world including Titouan Puyo, Olivia Piana, Casper Steinfath, Fiona Wylde, Noic Garioud, Michael Booth, Bart de Zwart and many others — ensuring that every section is informed by real competitive and coaching expertise, not just theory.
Available in English, French, Spanish, German and Italian.
What’s Inside
- Discovery — history, equipment selection, safety, first sessions and progression from lying to standing to confident paddling
- SUP Racing — the largest section; covers stroke technique, turning, race starts, sprinting, drafting, technical and long-distance racing strategy
- Downwind — water reading, bump catching, timing, positioning and advanced downwind techniques
- Touring & Adventure — ultra-distance expeditions and long-distance open-water challenges
- SUP Surfing — wave reading, 30+ surf manoeuvres, big waves, barrels and aerials
- Long SUP — cross steps, hang-five techniques and classic longboard-style SUP
- Foiling — both wave foiling and downwind foiling covered in depth
- SUP Yoga — adapted positions and sequences for on-water practice
- River SUP — safety protocols and discipline-specific river techniques
Specifications
| Author | Fred Bonnef |
|---|---|
| Pages | 528 |
| Format | Hardcover |
| Languages | 5 (English, French, Spanish, German, Italian) |
| ISBN (English) | 978-3-903038-13-4 |
| Disciplines | Racing, surfing, foiling, downwind, river, touring, yoga |
| Level | All levels — complete beginner to elite competitor |
Content Breakdown
The SUP Tricktionary is structured as a discipline-by-discipline guide rather than a pure trick reference — which reflects the nature of SUP itself, where technique, fitness, tactics and equipment knowledge are as important as specific moves. The Racing chapter is the most extensive in the book, covering everything from basic stroke mechanics through to elite drafting strategy and race-day tactics, because racing is where the majority of performance-focused SUP athletes compete. The Downwind chapter addresses one of the fastest-growing and most technical forms of SUP paddling, with detailed instruction on reading ocean energy and linking bumps. The Foiling section is notable for covering both wave and downwind foiling, two disciplines that are still poorly documented elsewhere. Every chapter is photo-illustrated and structured for practical use on the water.
Why We Recommend It
If you own a SUP board — or are thinking about buying one — this book is worth having. It’s not a beginner’s guide and not an advanced manual; it genuinely covers the full spectrum. The racing chapters alone are worth the cover price for anyone who competes or wants to paddle faster. The foiling and downwind sections are hard to find this level of detail on anywhere else. And if you’re buying for someone else, it’s the best gift you can give any paddler regardless of their level. At $99.99 for 528 hardcover pages from world-class athletes, it’s exceptional value.
