Stand Up Paddle

How to stand up on a paddle board?

Paddle boarding is the perfect activity to do in a group or also on your own on warm summer days. In the sea or on a lake – paddle boarding can be done anywhere! Besides the common way of paddle boarding there are many other opportunities to use a paddle board, for example Paddle board Yoga or Paddle Surfing. This article focuses on the usual way of paddle boarding.

Here is a short guide on how to paddle board:

• Get into the water carrying your board and lay the board on the surface
• Get on the board, hold the paddle in your hand and place your knee on the board first
• Then, try to stand up by first lifting one leg and then the other, get up from a squat position
• Once you stand on the board, start to paddle slowly at first
• Make sure to have your knees slightly bent, keep your head up straight and have your vantage point always forward.

Different types of paddling:

• Paddling forward: When you want to travel a long distance on your board, it is important to paddle forward correctly. Rotate your hips, put your paddle out over the surface of the water. The blade angled side has to be facing forwards. Then dip the blade of your paddle fully in the water. To go forward you have to pull the paddle’s blade towards you.
• Reverse stroke paddling: In order to go backwards with your board, put the paddle in the water behind you and place the blade fully into the water. Move the paddle’s blade forward to do a reverse stroke. If you do this on the right side of your board, it will turn to the right and vice versa.
• Turning the paddle board: If you want to turn turn around whilst pn your paddle board, bend your knees and put the paddle forward into the water. Push the paddle away from your board from the front to the back of the board. If you want to execute a reverse sweep, do the exact same thing, but start from the tail and push the paddle towards the nose.

Is stand up paddle boarding hard ?

Practicing stand up paddle boarding is not hard at all. Especially when doing this kind of water sport on flat water it is quite easy to learn. You don’t even have to be the fittest or sportiest person to be a good stand up paddler.

Besides the therapeutic benefits stand up paddling  brings with it, it is also super fun and can be a great group activity!

If you are a beginner, you should be aware of the most common mistakes which you should try to avoid making. Here is a list of a few tips on how to make your first paddle board experiences easier:

1. Try to think you are riding a bike! Don’t think about floating on the water and don’t look down.
2. Make sure to stand in the center of your board to maintain balance.
3. Bend your knees slightly to be prepared for slight waves.
4. Engage your core.
5. Focus on a certain point on land or in the sea/lake in order to keep the balance.

What to wear while stand up paddle boarding?

It is not necessary to wear super expensive clothing for paddle boarding. As you are on the water, and will maybe fall into it at some point, you can just wear your swimming costumes such as a bikini or swim shorts.

If you are advanced and sure you will not get wet, normal active or casual clothing is of course also possible.

Usually you do not need to wear any protection, as the most dangerous thing that could happen is falling into the water 😉

Can you sit on a stand up paddle board?

Stand up paddling can be executed in many different ways. Either you can kneel down on it, sit on it or stand on it while paddling.

Beginners may first feel more comfortable with sitting or kneeling on the board. Once you get used to your board and the body of the water it will be easy for you to stand up on your board.

How to attach a leash to a stand up paddle board?

For your and your paddling partners’ safety, attaching a leash on your board is mandatory.

Before you attach your leash on your stand up paddle boards, you have to be aware of which one is the best for you depending on the type and length of the leash. It also depends on which style of paddle boarding you want to do and how advanced at paddling boarding you are.

There are 2 different types of leash attachments on a paddle board:

1) The D-Ring

The most common and easiest way to attach a leash on a stand up paddle board is to fix it on a D-Ring. This is the most common way for inflatable paddle boards (inflatable SUPs). It is a D-shaped ring made out of  either plastic or metal through which you loop the leash.

2) The Proprietary Leash Attachment

Most of hard paddle boards have a specific proprietary leash attachment. The seller or manufacturer of your board will provide you with the instructions on how to use this with your board. The disadvantage here is, that only leashes by the same brand or manufacturer of your board can be attached. If you have any problems with your leash or board, you may have to contact the customer service of the boards brand company.

How to balance on a stand up paddle board?

After you’ve stood up immediately paddle. This supports you to stand firmly on the board and find your balance. Make sure your feet are parallel and equidistant to your hips. Bending your knees is also important to maintain balance.

Don’t look down if you feel you are losing your balance. Even if it might be tempting, but the key to get your balance back is to look forward and focus on a certain point in front of you.

In the case you fall off your board, try to fall away from it and not land on the board.

How to hold a SUP Paddle?

It is important to hold the paddle properly and paddle in the correct way.

The most important thing is to make sure that the paddle blade angle is looking away from you. Also, the paddle needs to be held vertical to the water surface.

Further, gripping your paddle properly will help you to steer your board correctly and to perform steering manoeuvres. Put one hand on the top of the paddle and grip the shaft with your other hand. The hands on the paddle should be about an arm’s width apart.

If you hold your paddle properly in this “T”-bar and dive it into the water fully vertical when doing a stroke, you will be surprised how easily you are moving forward on the water.

How to stand up on a paddle board after falling?

If a big wave hits you or you just lose your balance, you may fall off your paddle board.

As you’ve made sure that your leash is attached before you started your paddling session, you do not have to worry about your paddle board floating away. The most difficult thing will be to get back on your board after falling into the water.

First, focus on swimming back to your board and do not care about your paddle, as it is usually floating. The easiest way to get back on is to swim to the center and grab the handle with one hand. Place your other arm on the board and push yourself up with both arms. Make a few strong kicks with your legs in the water to pull yourself up.

Kicking your feet and pulling yourself up with your arms will get you back on the board. Once you are back on the board you can lie down in the surfing position and use your arms to get to your paddle.