How to Paddle board

Stand up paddle boarding is a fun activity you can do on oceans, lakes, rivers, and bays. It’s a great full body core workout and way to experience the beauty of the outdoors. Best of all, it’s perfect for people of all ages, body types and skill levels. There’s even enough room to paddle with a dog, friend, child or significant other. Over the years, paddle boarding has continued to grow in popularity because  it gives you the freedom to explore the beautiful waters the surround our planet.

How To Stand Up On A Sup

Always start in calm, flat water with a nice wide board. We recommend using a 30-inch board that is about 11 feet long for all SUP beginners.

The board should feel comfortable and not unstable when standing up. If it still feels too unstable after several attempts to gain your balance, try a larger, wider paddle board.

FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO STAND UP ON A SUP:

• Get the board out into in water so the fin is free from hitting the bottom
• Start in a kneeling position – on your knees take a few strokes on each side of the board
• Slowly, stand up with one foot at a time and stay in the middle of the board with your feet parallel to the stringer – about shoulder width apart
• Keep a slight bend in the knees and your core centered over the board
• Keep in mind you may fall off, when you do, hop back up and try again. If you get cold easily, we recommend wearing a thin wetsuit.

SUP Beginner Tip: Similar to the common beginner surfboard mistake, many people start out on a board much too small, and can never seem to gain balance and become disheartened. Learn more about how to choose the right size SUP board for you. If you’re unsure, always go wider and thicker.

Paddling Techniques

There are a few basic philosophies on paddle technique, but all revolve around using your paddle as a lever. Your top hand will be driving the lever and the bottom hand will act as the pivot point.

HOW TO PADDLE FORWARD

• Keep your bottom arm straight and relatively still.
• Pull your top arm toward your body to extend the paddle forward.
• Rotate your top shoulder forward and extend your reach.
• Insert the paddle into the water as far forward as possible and bury the paddle into the water.
• Rather than pulling you paddle through the water, think about pulling past your paddle.
• To stay in a straight line, take a few strokes on one side then switch to a few strokes on the other.

SUP Beginner Tip: Always remember to switch the position of your hands when your paddle changes sides to efficiently paddle your SUP.

HOW TO PADDLE: TURNING WITH THE FORWARD SWEEP STROKE

• To turn left, place the paddle in the water on the right side. At the same time, turn your torso to the left side.
• Keep a low stance and pull to the right, towards the tail with the paddle, while twisting and leaning to the left with your torso. You’ll feel the board shift to the left quickly.

HOW TO PADDLE: TURNING WITH THE REVERSE SWEEP STROKE

• To turn right, place the paddle near the tail and pull toward the nose while shifting your torso to the right — this will spin your board’s nose to the right hand side — the more you bend your knees, the easier it will be to turn the board.

Best Paddle Boarding Tips

To ensure you have the best time on your SUP use our top paddle boarding tips to avoid making the common SUP mistakes.

• DO: Always hold the paddle with one hand on the top of the handle and the other on the shaft.
• DON’T: hold the paddle like a broomstick, with both hands on the shaft.
• DO: Keep your feet parallel, spread shoulder width apart, and your toes pointed toward the nose.
• DON’T: Get in a surf stance – everyone wants to, but that makes paddling on the flat water ten times harder. Plus, you will fall. Save your surf stance for the surf.
• DO: Make sure your grip on the paddle is shoulder width apart — short grips will give you a powerless stroke.
• DON’T: Only use your arms – you’ll get tired faster and not paddle efficiently. Let your big back muscles do the brunt of the work.
• DO: Dip the blade fully into the water and take a long stroke, letting your large back muscles do the work.