It looks fun, but how hard is it to learn to ride a SUP board?
Stand-up paddleboarding, popularly known as SUP (Standup Paddleboarding), is one of the most fun ways to spend time in the water. It's not just about fun, it's also a real full-body workout! And just the view of the surroundings that you get from a slightly elevated point while standing on a paddleboard gives a unique overview of the situation in and above the water.
However, for SUP to become a fun activity for you, you need to know certain techniques, without which you'll probably spend more time in the water trying to get on your board. So, below, find out what equipment you need, how to maintain balance and thus reduce the number of falls, and what proper paddling looks like.
What if it's my first time SUPing?
- The first contact with this sport means a great adventure. However, there are some guidelines that should be followed so that you don't make your life miserable right away.
- Choose calm water where it is easier to maintain balance on the board and avoid any obstacles
- It is desirable to have easy access to the water to simplify boarding.
- Avoid the wind - it will not be your friend at the beginning of your rowing!
- Speaking of friends - be accompanied by at least one person who will help you with the current issue
- Expect to struggle to have energy for more than an hour of surfing
How to gear up for SUP?
The good news is that you don’t really need much equipment! Since stand-up paddleboarding is a water activity, it is essential to wear a swimsuit, and in case of colder water, a wetsuit to keep your body warm. Don’t forget sun protection for hot summer days, including sunscreen, UV-blocking shirts and suits, sunglasses, and something to cover your head from the heat, such as a visor. It is advisable to wear water shoes to prevent possible foot injuries when entering or exiting the water.
SUP boards come in different shapes and are designed for different activities, so research your options carefully. It’s important, especially for beginners, to have a safety strap for your leg so you don’t waste a lot of time trying to hold onto the board. To move around on the board, you need a paddle, and its size depends on your height. So use our paddle guide and find out the ideal length and shape of your paddle without too much calculation.
Paddle adjustability for your height
The adjustability of SUP paddles is very important for accommodating different heights and paddling styles. Most SUP paddles are made of three parts - handles, poles, and paddles. The pole can be lengthened or shortened depending on the height of the user, and the handle can be adjusted for the optimal paddling angle. In case you want to paddle faster, it is recommended to set the paddle to a higher setting, while for maneuvering in narrower and slower waters it is better to set it to a lower setting.
The adjustability of the paddle also allows you to share the paddle with other users, and adjusting its length can help maintain balance and paddling efficiency, which is especially important for beginners. Once beginners have mastered how to paddle a SUP, they can start using the Hawaiian salute technique to determine the ideal length of the paddle. Stand up straight, position the paddle vertically, and adjust it to a height where the middle of the palm of your outstretched hand is above your head. Then raise it above your head and grab it so that both hands form a 90-degree angle between your upper arm and forearm. In this position, you get the ideal length that will prevent overloading your shoulders.
How to stand on a SUP board?
Let's say you've secured everything you need to go on this adventure. Here, however, comes the first obstacle – how to take the correct position on the board. With our advice, you won't be the one who hunches over and waves his arms and falls into the water for the fifth time in a row, after which he gives up this fun activity, but rather someone who enjoys paddling as a joke. !
First of all, you need to find calm water that is deep enough so that it doesn’t come into contact with the bottom of your board. The technique is the same for SUP paddlers and inflatable SUPs – lie down on the board, grab it with both hands and bring one knee up at a time, so that your weight is in the center of the board. Then comes the scariest part for many – getting up on the board! Lift your feet off the board by straightening one leg at a time and placing it where your knee used to be. Your feet should be parallel and shoulder-width apart, your toes should be pointing forward, just like you, your knees should be slightly bent, and your back should be straight. When you stand up, hold the paddle in one hand, because if you let it down, you are guaranteed to fall with your body lowering.
How to hold the paddle and make the first swings?
Once you have successfully stood on the board, the next step is to paddle. With your dominant hand, grab the top half of the paddle, while your other hand should grip the tip of the paddle. Then lower it down so that the blade of the paddle is pointing forward. The same principle applies to your gaze - it must be directed straight ahead. It is easiest if you can pick up an object in the distance that is not moving and focus on it, as this way you will maintain your balance better. Never look down at the board! The board is your best friend, but take your focus off it.
Rowing begins by pushing the paddle about half a meter in front of you into the water and pulling it towards you. When it is positioned next to your feet, lift it out of the water and prepare for the next stroke. Remember - The straighter your paddle, the faster you will go! After 4-5 strokes on one side, it is time to switch to continue moving in the same direction. You always grip the paddle depending on which side you are rowing on - on the right side, the left hand is above the paddle and the right is on the upper half, while on the left side the situation is reversed. Although you may expect all the power to row to come from the arms, the thrust should actually come from the torso and legs.
Slowing down and turning
You finally learned how to SUP and you're going in one direction, but how do you slow down? Logic says - do everything opposite to paddling forward. The stroke in this case goes behind and it's important that the paddle blade is completely submerged in the water. Then you need to pull the paddle forward and you will slow down significantly. It is important to note that using this paddling technique will cause you to veer slightly to the side you are braking on.
If you want to turn harder in the opposite direction, then use a different stroke technique. If you want to turn left, swing forward so that your right shoulder is in front of your left and make an arc stroke from the nose to the tail of the board.
Extended Adventure – Kneeling SUP and Kayak Seat Paddling
If you don't like paddling, there are always alternatives. Kneeling SUP allows for better balance and control of the board, all you need to do is get down on your knees from a standing position. They must be bent and stable, and you must not lean too much to either side or you will quickly end up in the water! Kneeling SUP can also be used to rest your muscles or to make it easier to control the board in new conditions.
In case you want to paddle like a kayaker, you can attach a kayak seat to your board and turn it into a kayak. It's a new adventure because paddling closer to your board risks losing your balance, but the rule is simple - you'll get better quickly with practice. Switch sides again after a few strokes to keep the same direction.
What to do when you fall off the board?
SUP is a water sport, so expect to get wet as even the most experienced will fall off the board from time to time. When you fall, try to land in the water, as the impact from the board can cause injury.
Once you're in the water, approach the center of the board. Grab the handle in the middle, let your feet float to the surface, and then step onto the board. It won't be easy the first time you try it, but it's a technique that can be mastered very quickly.