7 Important Tips For Stand-Up Paddle Boarding Beginners

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Stand-up paddle boarding originated from Hawaii, which is an offshoot from surfing that has gained popularity across the globe. Unlike traditional surfing, stand-up paddle boarders stand on a board while using a paddle in order to travel on water such as a river, lake or the sea.

Basic Stand Up Paddle Boarding Tutorial (SUP)

Standing on one of these boards may look easy and is usually what most people think until the time comes that they actually have to do it. Falling down is something you cannot avoid when you are a complete-beginner. Yet with practice and effort you will be able to stand on a paddle board and paddle around within a few days.

Here are 7 important tips to help you get started:

1. Make Sure You Face The Right Way

The fins serve the purpose of helping the board to “track” when in water and also assist the board to go in straight lines when you start to paddle. Make sure the fins on the underside of the board are facing behind you when you stand up on the board.

2. Don’t Forget About Your Leash

A good quality SUP leash can assist you in keeping the board attached to your leg. When you fall down, your board will always be in reach, which means you won’t have to swim after it every time you fall down.

3. Begin On Your Knees

When you are learning to paddle board, you should start off in calm water that is only a few feet deep, where you can start to practice how to stand. From here you can start off by mounting the board by kneeling so that you become accustomed to your weight on your board. If you have enough space, while on your knees start to paddle around.

4. When You Stand Up For The First Time

Once you feel comfortable kneeling on your paddle board you move onto standing on the board. When you stand up on the board, make sure your feet are positioned in the center of the board, shoulder width apart. Make sure you are standing straight, with a good posture.

 

Once you are able to stand comfortably and you can maintain your balance, using one hand, grip the top part of the paddle handle, and with your other hand hold onto the center of the paddle. Keep in mind that it becomes easier to stay standing once the board achieves forward momentum.

5. Use Your Entire Body

When you start to paddle, your knees need to be bent while pushing the paddle gently into the surrounding water. At the same time twist your upper body, while using your arms and your core muscles. If your paddle has an angled or sloped blade, ensure you keep the slope of the blade away from your body. If you are not holding the paddle in the correct position you will experience a drag which will slow down your progress.

6. Keep Your Head Up

The body will naturally follow the eyes and your head, so avoid looking down when you start to paddle. Make sure your head is always up, with a straight back and your weight slightly leaning over your toes.

7. Know About The Weather Conditions

Make sure you check on the forecast for weather before you go out paddling. Strong winds and tides could become your enemy and the weather can change relatively quickly. When you are still a beginner you want to avoid being caught unaware.

In conclusion, when you are starting out it is also suggested to stay clear of any other surfers as waves will probably tumble you and your board over which could result in damages to the gear of other surfers.

The Golden Rules Of Stand Up Paddle Boarding

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Stand up paddle boarding is a great activity for people who want to get on the water. If you are thinking about paddle boarding, there are some golden rules that you need to know about. These rules will help you paddleboard more effectively and ensure that you enjoy your time on the board.

Engage The Core Muscles

The first rule to paddle boarding is to engage your core muscles. This will help you to paddle more effectively and ensure that you can spend longer on the water. When you know how to use your muscles correctly, you will also be better prepared for any challenging conditions.

SUP Safety

To use your core muscles, you will need to rotate the hips and shoulders when you paddle. When you wind up like this, you will be using your core muscles for each paddle stroke instead of just the arms. When you only use your arms, you will tire faster and will not have the control over the board that you actually need. This paddling will use the major muscles groups in the body which makes paddling safer and easier for a prolonged period of time.

It is important to note that it will take a while to get used to this movement. The first few times you head out, you might have to remind yourself to move in this way. Paddling with a trainer or guide is recommended because they will be able to correct any mistakes in your technique.

Wear A Life Jacket And Leash

The second rule you need to follow is to always wear a life jacket and leash while paddle boarding. The life jacket is something that you need to have as the US Coast Guard views paddleboards as a vessel and you should also have a whistle on hand. If you are not a strong swimmer, it is recommended that you use a buoyant life jacket which will keep you afloat when you are in trouble.

SUP Safety


If you do not know which life jacket to use, there are a number of paddle specific models on the market. These life jackets have been designed to be comfortable to wear and do not restrict your movements while you paddle. If you are a strong swimmer, you should look at an inflatable life jacket. The most common inflatable life jacket used by paddle boarders will actually be a belt around the waist which can easily inflate when needed.

The leash is important because it tethers you to the paddleboard. The only time you might not want to wear your leash is when you are paddling whitewater rapids. In other situations, being attached to your board can be very helpful because you will not believe how quickly you can be separated from the board when you fall off.

Know Where To Go

The last rule that you need to know is to understand where you should be paddle boarding. The best places for beginners to stand up paddle board will be sheltered areas. These areas should be away from the wind and waves with a good launching and landing point. You should also look for areas with a minimum amount of boat traffic.

Only experienced stand up paddle boarders should look at heading to the waves and where there is wind. You will also need to be a confident swimmer when doing this because you will have to fight the movement of the water.

There are a number of rules that you need to know when it comes to stand up paddleboarding. These rules will ensure that you are safe and able to stay out on the water for longer.

A Short And Complete History Of Standup Paddling

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Standup paddling has a history that is longer than many people assume. The modern paddle board has been designed with recreation in mind, but this was not always the case.

Early standup padding had more practical purposes before it was turned into something for leisure.

Early Standup Paddling

Early standup paddling was practical and generally something that fishermen across the world did. Fishermen would stand on solo vessels and paddle to maneuver the vessel. There are still many fishermen who practice this ancient technique.

History of Stand Up Paddling


The small vessels were created to maneuver through waterways and in the shallow areas of the ocean. The original paddles used were often made of hollowed lengths of wood and helped the fishermen navigate the waves. The use of these standup paddle boats was seen in South America and predates the arrival of the Spanish in the 15th century.

Early Standup Paddling In Europe

While there is a long history of standup paddling in South America and Asia, Europe also contributes to this history. The most famous of the European standup paddling is the gondoliers of Venice. Venice in the 17th century was built almost entirely on the water and uses the canals as a means to travel.

To navigate the canals, there are gondolas steered by the famous gondoliers. At the height of Venice’s popularity, there were an estimated 8000 to 10000 gondoliers paddling their way through the canals. This number has decreased drastically over the years and today there is an estimated 400 gondolas in service. Today, they are mainly used to shuttle tourists through the amazing city, but at one point they were the primary means of transportation in the city.

Standup Paddling For Fun

The early history of standup paddling focused mainly on the practical uses of this. However, there is a long history of standup paddling being used for fun. The Hawaiians were the pioneers of using a standup paddle board purely for the thrill that it provides.

Ancient Hawaiians called themselves keiki o ka’aina which means children of the land. The land provides them with food and materials to build with. The land is also the sibling of the sea and so mankind was seen as a sibling which was born to the same parents at the start of time. As siblings of the sea, Hawaiians of all ages enjoy playing in the water.

The solid evidence of standup paddle boarding by Hawaiians is only 70 years old, but it is commonly agreed on that this was practiced for centuries before the picture. One of the most famous Waikiki boys, Duke Kahanamoku, is said to have used an outrigger paddle to propel his board into the waves of Waikiki.

Hawaii is not only the home to some of the first standup paddle boards for leisure, it is also the home of many modern standup paddle boarding inventions. Many of the accessories for paddle boarding which are used today are believed to have been created by Hawaiian beachboys. One of the most commonly used is the leg leash.

The leg leash connects you to the board and is very helpful in a number of different situations. The leg leash was created by John Ah Choy also known as Pops. Pops was an inventor and is one of the most famous early paddle boarders.

Standup paddling has a very long history and can be dated back centuries. Early standup paddling was generally completed for practical reasons such as fishing or traveling through the canals of Venice. However, it has also been a leisure activity for many people and this was pioneered by the Hawaiians.