Is Paddle Boarding Hard or Easy? (Answered)
Stand-up paddleboarding is a super fun sport that’s easy to learn and has a low barrier of entry. In fact, people of all ages, sizes, shapes, and walks of life are finding a love for SUP every day! Paddleboarding can be done on all water types including lakes and oceans. Most people who try SUP (Stand Up Paddleboarding) stick with it because it’s so much fun.
Unlike surfing or wakeboarding which may have taken several months of trial, error, and practice to learn, stand-up paddleboarding only takes a few hours to get the hang of basic sup skills. If you want to continue reading we will be going over how to make paddleboarding easier, safety tips, and more!
How to Stand Up Paddle Board
Paddle boarding is a fun and easy water sport. It’s easy to learn, easy to do, and it’s a great workout. Most people can pick up the basics in about five minutes. The key is to start on calm waters and to have a good quality paddleboard. A knowledgeable structure can help teach you the basics quickly if you want to take paddleboard lessons.
Before you get started, here are some things you should know:
- What is a paddleboard? SUP (Stand Up Paddleboards) are a little bit like surfboards, but they don’t need any waves or wind to work properly. They are simple flat boards that have the paddler stand up on them and propel themselves with the help of a paddleboard paddle.
- What type of paddleboard should I get? SUPs come in various lengths depending on what you want to use them for, but they all typically range from around 6 to 13 feet long. For beginners, it’s recommended that you start with a wider board(34″) so that you can get used to handling it on the water. Once you’re comfortable with being out there and cruising around, then you can go smaller if you want a paddleboard that will glide, track, and maneuver through the water better.
- How to practice stand-up paddleboarding? If you are new to stand-up paddling, or SUP, I recommend starting in flat water like a lake or flat bodies of water. Flatwater will give you a great chance to practice your balance and build confidence before taking it to rivers or oceans. Learning how to balance on your paddleboard is sometimes the most difficult part of paddleboarding.
How to Get On Your Paddleboard
Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) is one of the fastest-growing water sports out there. It’s a great full-body workout and a great way to get outside and be active. However, getting on your board can be difficult and there are a few tips that will help make the process easier.
First off, you want to stand to the side of the board so you are between the board and the shore. Wade out until the water is about knee-deep or a little less. Next, place the paddle across the board perpendicularly.
Place the hand closest to the board on the deck. Then place the knee closest to the board on the deck. After this, lift your other knee out of the water and onto the deck. Finally, raise your torso until you are in a kneeling position, and then stand up!
The most important tip is to practice! This is going to be much easier if you have already been practicing getting on your board in shallow water before you go into deeper water with waves or currents. Whenever you are practicing make sure you are wearing a life jacket and your ankle leash
How to Stand Up on Your Paddleboard
Many people who have never tried stand-up paddleboarding before wonder how it’s done. If you’ve seen a paddle boarder, you may notice that they are standing up as they paddle through the water. Although this may seem intimidating for people who haven’t tried it, it’s actually easier than you might think! Here are some helpful tips for standing up on your paddleboard for the first time.
One of the best ways to stand up paddleboarding is with a few simple steps. First, begin by finding your center of balance on the board. This is also where you’ll find the handle that allows you to get on and off the board.
Once you have found this area, step onto the center in a kneeling position. Kneel down with your knees against the front of the handle and make sure they’re shoulder-width apart.
When you are ready to stand up, go on all fours and place the paddle under your palms while tenting your fingers. Once you’re ready, you’ll stand up on the board one foot at a time. Place your feet where your knees were and try to keep your heels flat as you come up from a squatting position. Once you are in the standing position make sure that you are looking forward towards the horizon and have your knees slightly bent so you can have good balance.
The Correct Way to Fall Off of Your Paddleboard
So you have discovered stand-up paddleboarding and a whole new world of fun and fitness. But before you jump into the water, it’s important that you learn how to fall off your board properly—and why it’s important in the first place.
It’s normal to fall off the board when you first start out. That’s part of the process of learning how to balance and paddle efficiently, and it can be a bit scary at times. As long as you know what to do when you fall off, you’ll be prepared for any challenge that comes your way on the water.
There are several things you need to remember: always fall away from your board, whether it’s behind the tail or away from the rails; always fall flat, this means landing like a pancake; and always wear a leash so your board doesn’t get away from you after your fall. If a pivot turn is performed and followed by a wipeout, the board will shoot out like a rocket. In wind, the board will keep going.
How to Make Paddle Boarding Easier
Standup paddleboarding is a fun, easy-to-learn outdoor activity. You can make it even more manageable with these three simple tips for beginners.
1. Start in flatwater: Lakes are great places to begin, while you’ll want to save the ocean for more advanced adventures down the line. This will give you time to master your basic skills before moving on to trickier waters!
2. Paddle efficiently: You will have more fun by using less energy with each paddle stroke. By keeping your strokes short and fast, you minimize fatigue and have plenty of energy left for other activities later on in your day – like swimming or cliff jumping!
3. Take it easy: Safety first, always! For starters, fall off your board the right way, because you are going to end up on the sand (at some point). Whenever possible, get back on from your knees; trying to stand up from the water can be tricky and could contribute to fatigue later on in your outing if you do it too often. You should also always wear a leash when paddleboarding so that your board won’t float away from you if you happen to take an unexpected spill into the water.
4. Knowing what items to bring when paddleboarding. These items aren’t just for comfort or safety, they can also be used to enhance your experience and make your time on the water more enjoyable.
Safety Tips for Paddle Boarding
Paddleboarding can be a fun, refreshing way to enjoy the great outdoors. All you need is a paddleboard and water, and you’re set for an adventure. But before you head out to the lake, ocean or river, take a few moments to review essential paddleboarding safety tips. As with any activity on or in the water, safety is vital.
- Just like anything, it’s always so much more fun to Stand Up Paddleboard with a partner. This way you can help each other in case of emergency and also push each other to improve your skills!
- Always check the weather before you go. Weather can change quickly and being prepared for your SUP adventure is smart for safety as well as for your comfort.
- A PFD is one of the most important accessories for paddleboards, and can not save your life if you aren’t wearing it! Even if you are strong swimmer, things can happen quickly and you may not have the time to safely and correctly put on your PFD ( Personal Flotation Device ), so wearing it is always best! Make sure that your life jacket is properly fitted and comfortable so that it won’t restrict movement or become uncomfortable during wear.
- You should always have an SUP board leash on. A leash will ensure that if you fall off of your SUP you will be able to reach it safely and quickly to get back on or at least use it as a floatation device. You should also always bring a cell phone in a waterproof dry bag and keep it with you at all times, just in case.
Is Paddle Boarding Hard Summarized
Stand-up Paddleboarding is a great way to get a low-impact cardiovascular workout. It provides an opportunity for people of all ages, shapes, and sizes to do something that’s fun and engaging. In practical terms, it’s easy to learn and can be done almost anywhere there are waters—rivers, lakes, and oceans alike. Provided you have the type of stand-up paddleboard designed for your size and strength, you don’t even need to be very strong to begin this sport. Now the only thing you have to worry about is when the best time to buy a paddle board is!
