The Soldiers were hesitant about getting into the waters of American Lake during a cold June morning for physical training. The air was brisk and the wind made it even colder.

"Don't worry," the instructor said. "You will warm up."

Minutes later, Soldiers of the 295th Quartermaster Company were knee-deep in the water and climbing onto long, thick surf boards, trying to maintain their balance. A few claimed the water was surprisingly warm.

The Soldiers were learning how to Stand Up Paddle, also known as SUP boarding.

Corporal William Smoot, the company operations NCOIC for the 295th Qm. Co., 80th Ordnance Battalion, 593rd Sustainment Brigade, had decided weeks earlier that he wanted members of his company to try this.

"This would be different and something new - especially for PT," Smoot said.

Smoot began diving deeper after an article about SUP boarding caught his attention.

As its name implies, SUP boarding requires a person to stand on a surf board and use many of the body's muscles to paddle forward while maintaining balance. It is said to have originated in Hawaii with people learning the basics of surfing. Since the sport doesn't require waves, it is spreading across the country's lakes and rivers.

Smoot found that SUP boarding meets almost all of the five dimensions of the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Program, which anchors all facets of a Soldier's health, builds resiliency and improves performance.

The first dimension, physical strength, involves aerobic fitness, endurance, strength and flexibility. Secondly, emotional strength requires a Soldier's ability to demonstrate self-control and stamina.

Family and social strength would be evidenced by how much the Soldiers had fun with this new experience together.

Smoot said he knew this would be "a great way to get some really good physical training especially for the core muscles and is low impact," so he took the next step.

After tackling the research, Smoot presented his idea to his company first sergeant and commander. They liked Smoot's plan and allowed him to move forward with coordinating this unique training. He contacted Christ Fry of West Bay Paddleboards in Olympia.

Fry personally led the group of Soldiers out onto American Lake and gave them a few minutes to get used to handling the paddles and balancing on the boards - first on their knees, then standing up.

Then he gave the order: "Paddle to the other side of the lake."

For some, paddling came naturally; others had to work a little harder.

Afterward, the rest of the workout included sprints as well as some stationary exercises - the supine bicycle, planks, crunches - all while keeping balance to avoid capsizing.

In spite of sore muscles and wet clothes, Smoot says he got a lot of positive feedback on the workout. The company is planning to do it again, he said, "just as soon as it gets a little warmer out there."