Tips For Beginner Paddle Boarders

Once you get your new board it’s time to learn how to use it safely. While paddle boarding is relatively easy, the first few times can be a challenge.
With some time and practice you will be an expert in no time. But when you are first starting out here are a helpful tips.

1. Take it Slow at First
Don’t plan on taking long paddles at first, it is best to take short paddles at first and learn how to stand on the board and get confident. You will also find that you may be using muscles that you have not used before. Paddle boarding is an excellent full body workout.

2. Don’t forget to use a leash
No we don’t mean a dog leash, a paddle board leash will strap around your ankle with velcro and connecto to a D ring on the SUP. A leash will prevent you from getting separated from the SUP when you fall in. As you get more experience you may skip using one, but while you are learning always use one.

3. Keep Your Distance
This is more applicable to smaller lakes or crowded beach areas but you want to allow plenty of distance between you and other boarders, kayakers or swimmers. There is plenty of room, so keep your distance.

4. Learn How to Fall
When you are learning how to paddle board, falls are inevitable. To avoid getting injured when you fall you need to learn how to fall properly. Inflatable paddle boards are not soft to fall on so it will hurt if you fall on it or get hit with it when you fall off. The main thing you need to keep in mind is to fall away from the board. So when you feel yourself falling try and push yourself away and don’t fall stright forward or back. This is something you should practice before hand so you know how to do it properly. This is why you want to use a leash so that the board cannot get to far away from you.

5. Make Sure Are Paddling the SUP in the Right Direction
I know this may seem super obvious but if you are new to paddle boarding but it may not be obvious when the board is in the water. To make sure you are facing the right way, look for the fins. They should always be in the back and your back should be to them. The fins are used for tracking and help keep the board in a straight line. If they are in the front, they will not be able to do their job.

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