Pilates and stand-up paddle boarding combine for new workout

It's an unlikely marriage: one, a nearly century-old German exercise method based on precision and control; the other, a 21st century Hawaiian sport evolved from surfing.

Surprisingly, Pilates and stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) are a great match - the resulting union termed SUPilates - as I found out first-hand two weeks ago at a class at Stanley Main Beach.

Although the fusion fitness activity has been gaining popularity in the US and Australia over the past two to three years, it has only recently arrived on Hong Kong's shores. Jason Clark, founder of PilatesAthlete, is the sole person offering SUPilates courses in the city. Since August, he's been conducting classes at the weekends, coaching a total of "a couple of hundred" participants from the age of six to over 60.

Some of the attendees are Pilates students, some are stand-up paddlers. Many have not done either sport before and are just looking for a fitness challenge that's "something different. The people in the class are of all fitness levels," says Clark, who comes from Sydney.

My class included friends Donna Cornish, 48, and Karen Demarco, 41, both new to SUPilates.

"We've been wanting to try it for a while now," says Cornish, a wine and jewellery entrepreneur. "I am attracted to it because it's done outdoors. With the weather so beautiful now, it's much better than being stuck in a gym all the time. Pilates and stand-up paddle boarding is a good combination for fitness."