Stand Up Paddle Boarding Beginner Tips & Tricks

One of the most useful skills to know when it comes to paddle boarding is swimming. Even with extra safety gear, such as a life jacket or SUP leash, swimming is another way for you to stay safe in less-than-ideal weather conditions. While it’s recommended that beginners stick to shallow waters when starting out, your swimming capabilities will bring you some extra peace of mind once you're ready to brave deeper waters.

As a minimum, learn how to tread water; this is where you kick your legs back and forward below you to keep your head above water. It gives you the time and stability you need to get back on your SUP board in case of a fall. In the meantime, it’s a good idea to stick to waist or chest deep waters until you tick off the basics.

Stand-up paddling is all about technique and is best done on solid ground before venturing into the water. This means you won’t have to learn and remember a multitude of techniques and positions while under the pressure of trying to maintain your balance on unstable waters. Run through the following on land first:

1) Stand alongside the board.
2) Hold the board by the edges and work your way onto the board while in a kneeling position just behind the centre point of your board.
3) Keep your hands on the sides of the board for stability and move one foot at a time.
4) Place your feet where your knees were before.
5) Stand up by raising your chest and keep your knees bent. Once your chest is upright, extend your legs and stand up.
6) Your feet should be parallel and hip-width apart.
7) Make sure your toes point forward and your knees are slightly bent while keeping your back straight.
8) Keep your upper body upright as you shift your weight and move your hips.

Finding the right launching spot is particularly important for those new to the sport. This makes it easier for you to climb on the board, and there will be less need to worry about your surroundings.

As a recommendation, try and avoid narrow or busy waterways and opt for a quiet part of a sandy beach. You’ll find more space to launch, fewer people to crowd around you, and fewer obstacles to worry about. Start at the end of a shallow shore and make sure your first few days of practice are taking place in calm weather conditions, i.e. no wind or rain – keep tabs on the weather forecast throughout; British weather can change at a moment’s notice!

When getting a feel for your first session, starting on your knees is a good idea to keep your centre of balance low. This will make it easier to balance, provide greater stability, and help you get accustomed to the feel before taking it up a notch.

Staying on your knees instead of fully seated will also give you enough mobility to keep paddling and acts as a great lead-up for when you’re ready to paddle standing up. Make sure you’re not seated too far forward on the board, as this will decrease the efficiency of your glide. Sitting too far back will affect your tracking. You can sit on your heels to rest or kneel upright as long as you can keep a straight posture for a good paddle stroke (slouching will overburden your arms instead of your core and lead you to tire quicker).

The secret to getting your strokes right is all in the paddle grip. Make sure you follow the instructions below:

1) Place one hand on top of the paddle.
2) Your other hand should grip the shaft roughly a shoulder’s width apart from the top.
3) The bent angle should point towards you while the blade faces forward.

After a few practice strokes, the motion should feel natural, and your board should move forward easily without overburdening your arms.

Learning to climb back on your board comes hand in hand with knowing how to fall. This will help you stay calm and ensure you’re well-placed to take the best next steps. Much like when getting on your board for the first time, navigate to the centre of the SUP board and grab the handle with one hand while you hold the far edge with your other hand to stop it from drifting.

Kick your feet behind you to give yourself a good push, as you’ll feel heavier than usual when getting out of the water, so the extra momentum is essential. As you push off, use your arms to push your chest up to the board and swing around on your knees. From here, you can get yourself back into a standing position.

Most of the challenge in stand-up paddle boarding revolves around finding your balance. Whilst our advice on posture and positioning will assist you in this endeavour, there are additional tips to ensure you strike the right balance:

• Focus your eyes on both the water and the horizon. While you might feel the urge to look down at your feet, this can hamper your balance.
• Allow your body to relax. This will help you feel the board's motion more keenly and identify when you're off-centre.
• Ensure you're centred on your board. If you feel unstable, adjust your position slightly to find the optimum spot.
• Familiarise yourself with bracing techniques; these can be invaluable when you're feeling unsteady.
• If you find yourself in choppier waters, consider paddling on your knees for added stability.