Joe Rouse January 12, 2012 Fishing, SUP Before SUPs Were SUPs. Joe Rouse January 12, 2012 Fishing, SUP Stand Up Paddling has been around along time. Chinese fisherman on the Li River have been standing up on bamboo rafts and paddling for centuries. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKWNx0WlSQE] Yep, SUPs have been around along time.