Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) for Beginners

Stand up paddle boarding (SUP) uses a fun method to play on the water, with the added advantage of a full-body workout. And also, considering that you stand at complete height on your board, it gives you an unique perspective for viewing exactly what’s down under the water as well as out coming up.

Prior to you head out on the water for the first time, it’s practical to understand a little regarding SUP equipment and also basic strategy. To obtain started paddle boarding, you’ll intend to discover:

The best ways to get gotten ready to SUP; you’ll need your board, obviously, plus simply a pair other basics.
Basic SUP paddling methods; just a few skills will certainly ensure you do not end up paddling in circles.
A few valuable suggestions for your first SUP outing (tip: try to make wind your friend).
Video clip: Paddle Boarding Essential

Get Prepared to SUP
Great information: You require just a few essential tools to delight in stand paddle boarding.

Stand paddle board: Your very first time or more out, you could want to rent equipment or borrow from a good friend. After that, if you determine you enjoy to SUP and intend to do even more of it, consider getting your own. Your board selection is determined by a combination of paddler weight and also skill, your meant usage and the neighborhood problems. Various boards excel at various techniques, such as recreational paddling, surfing, touring, auto racing and SUP yoga. If you’re renting, the personnel at the rental shop will certainly assist lead your selection. To learn more concerning boards, see Stand Paddle Boards: How you can Pick.

Paddle: A SUP paddle looks a little bit like a stretched-out canoe paddle with a tear-drop-shaped blade that angles onward for maximum paddling performance. The appropriate size paddle will reach up to your wrist when you stand the paddle up before you and increase your arm over your head. Read more concerning choosing as well as sizing paddles in our article, SUP Paddles: Ways to Pick.

PFD (Personal Flotation Device): The United States Coast Guard classifies stand up paddle boards as vessels, so if you’re paddling outside a browse or swimming area, you have to have a PFD aboard. Adults don’t have to use the PFD, yet kids must. Check your state’s regulations for age requirements. You could discover the best ways to select the appropriate PFD for you in our post, PFDs: How to Select.

Safety and security whistle as well as light: The Coast Guard also calls for that you carry a safety whistle to warn various other boaters. If you anticipate to be out after sunset, be sure to have a light on board.

stand up paddle board (sup) equipment devices

Proper clothes: During the summer months on a warm body of water, the majority of people decide to wear some mix of a swimsuit, board shorts, as well as a short- or long-sleeved breakout guard for sunlight protection. For awesome problems where hypothermia is a worry, put on a wetsuit or dry match.

Leash: Commonly marketed separately, a leash tethers your SUP to you, keeping it nearby if you fall off. Your SUP is a huge flotation gadget, so being connected to it can be crucial for your safety and security. There are leashes designed especially for browse, flatwater and rivers; be sure to purchase the proper one for your intended use.

Sun protection: Put on sunscreen, sunglasses and sun-protective garments.

Fundamental SUP Paddling Methods

With only a little guideline, most newbies have the ability to stand up as well as start paddling soon after taking a SUP out for the very first time. To obtain you began, here are some ideas on:

• Standing up
• Balance
• Dropping as well as getting back on
• stand up paddle boarder beginning to stand up on the board
• How to Stand on Your SUP

Exercise this technique for standing:

Stand alongside the board in regarding knee-deep water (just deep adequate that the fins on the board do not strike all-time low).
Hold the board by the sides as well as function your way into the board in a kneeling position, just behind the center point of the board (you can swiftly find the center of the board by finding the lug handle).
Maintain your hands on the sides of the board to stabilize it and also relocate one foot each time to put your feet where your knees were.
Rather than standing in one movement, beginning by elevating your breast up while maintaining your knees curved. Once your breast is upright, expand your legs to stand.
a stand paddle boarder’s stance for keeping balance while on the board
Staying Well balanced on a SUP

When you’re standing, there are a handful of things you could do to preserve your equilibrium on the board:

Setting your feet so they are identical, concerning hip-width distance apart, as well as centered in between the sides of the board.
Keep your toes directed ahead, knees slightly curved and your back directly.
Maintain your head as well as shoulders stable as well as upright, as well as shift your weight by relocating your hips.
Your look should be degree at the perspective. Stay clear of looking at your feet.
the appropriate way to hold and also make use of a sup paddle
The best ways to Hold a SUP Paddle

It’s relatively typical to see beginner paddlers holding their SUP paddles the upside-down. To avoid making the very same mistake, right here are two things to know when getting your paddle:

Make certain the tear-drop-shaped blade of the paddle angles away from you and toward the nose of the board.
When you’re paddling on the appropriate side of your board, your left hand will certainly be on the T-grip and also your right-hand man a couple of feet down on the shaft. When you switch sides, reverse your hand settings.
a stand paddle boarder coming back on their board after diminishing
Falling and Coming back On

Despite your best shots to stay balanced on your board, you’re going to fall in the water eventually. Even experienced paddlers start every so often, so if you’re feeling a little wobbly, don’t stress regarding it and keep in mind that SUP is a watersport, so it’s alright to obtain damp.

For those unpreventable times when you lose your equilibrium:

Objective on your own sideways, so that you come under the water and also not into the board. Dropping onto the board is more likely to trigger an injury.
Attempt to hang onto your paddle while dropping. If you obtain divided from it, fetch your board first and also get back on, then paddle with your hands to obtain the paddle.

To get back on your SUP after falling off:

• Position on your own alongside your board and also near the facility.
• Get the deal with at the facility of the board with one hand.
• Allow your legs float approximately the surface behind you, then kick your legs while pulling on the take care of to glide yourself into the board.
• SUP Strokes
• Right here’s when the real enjoyable begins. As a SUP beginner, there are 3 basics strokes that will certainly help you get relocating:

Plant the paddle in the water by reaching about two feet ahead, then push the blade all the way under the surface. Relocate the paddle back with the water to your ankle, after that from the water.
Maintain your arms straight and also bent from your upper body as you paddle. Lower on the paddle hold with your leading hand as opposed to drawing the paddle back with your lower arm. It’s practical for some people to think of pulling the board past the paddle instead of pulling the paddle through the water.
To enter a fairly straight line, you’ll need to alternate strokes on either side of the board. There’s no collection variety of strokes per side; try regarding three or four strokes on one side, then switch over to the other.
The more upright you maintain the paddle, the straighter you will certainly go.
a paddle boarder showing the reverse stroke on her sup
Reverse Stroke

The reverse stroke is basic to do as well as can be utilized for slowing down, stopping and also transforming. It is basically the opposite of the forward stroke.

If you’re paddling on the right, get to back behind you as well as grow the paddle in the water near the tail of your board. Make sure the blade is completely under the surface of the water.
Like with the forward stroke, maintain your arms straight and twist from your torso instead of pulling the blade onward with your arms.
Doing the reverse stroke on the appropriate side of your board will certainly trigger the nose of your board to resort to the right as well as vice versa.
a paddle boarder showing the sweep stroke on their sup
Sweep Stroke

The move stroke works for transforming your board while standing still or removing.

If you’re paddling on the right, rotate your shoulders to make sure that your right shoulder steps forward.
Get to ahead and grow your paddle in the water, immersing the entire blade.
Brush up the paddle far from the board in a big arcing movement from the nose of the board to the tail by revolving your upper body and also making use of the utilize of your legs as well as hips.
Doing the sweep stroke on the best side of your board will certainly turn the board to the left and also the other way around.
Tips for Your Initial SUP Trip
a stand up paddle boarder setting out on their paddling experience in tranquil water and winds
Before you get your board and visit the water for the very first time, below are some basic ideas for preparing your SUP getaway:

Pick a small, tranquil body of water, like a lake or fish pond, that’s devoid of great deals of obstacles like boats and also buoys.
Try to find a sandy beach or another location you can fall to the water to conveniently introduce your SUP.
Choose a warm day with little to no wind.
If your path needs that you paddle right into the wind, do so on your escape so you could obtain a boost from the wind en route back when you’re burning out.
Select a friend so you could keep an eye on each various other.
Strategy to paddle for about one hour on your initial trip.