Eight sports that thrived in 2023's spotlight

Editor's note: With a growing focus on health and well-being in 2023, people are increasingly seeking fun and engaging ways to exercise and stay active. This trend has led to the rise of several exciting and innovative sports. Let's have a look at some of them getting more popular this year.

Stand-up paddle boarding (SUP)

Water sports have gained much attention in recent years, among which stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) is one of the most popular ones in 2023.

SUP is a water sport that draws inspiration from surfing, with its modern roots firmly planted in the sun-kissed shores of Hawaii in the 1900s. Unlike traditional surfing, where you lie down on the board and use your hands to paddle, SUP allows you to stand on a wider and more stable board, propelling yourself through the water with a long paddle.

Variations include flat water paddling, racing, surfing, whitewater SUP, yoga, and fishing. Playing paddle boards does not require swimming skills, but it is important to wear a life jacket and a footrope.

"We played paddle boarding for about three hours and it wasn't as difficult as we imagined," a netizen in Beijing wrote in a post. "The next day, my thighs were a bit sore. This tested my balance ability, and I would like to go play with my friends again."