Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) is an exhilarating water sport that offers a unique blend of adventure and relaxation (if done right). 🏄‍♂️🌊💦

If you’re eager to dip your toes into the world of SUP, you’re in for a fantastic experience. I’ve been an avid paddleboarder for years, and I’m here to guide you through the essentials of getting started with this super fun water sport.

Looking for our best paddle board product recommendations? Check the Paddleboard Insiders Buyer Guides

In this article, we’ll explore the gear you need, basic paddling techniques, how to maintain balance on a paddleboard, proper paddle handling, dealing with falls, different paddle strokes, and valuable tips for your inaugural outing.

What Gear You Need For Stand Up Paddleboarding:

When it comes to stand up paddleboarding, you only really need a few key pieces of equipment to get out on the water. Here’s what you need:

PADDLEBOARD

One of the first decisions you’ll make is choosing the right paddleboard. Beginners should opt for a stable, wider board. You can choose between inflatable and solid boards. Inflatable paddleboards are convenient for storage and transport, while solid boards may offer slightly better performance.

Pro Tip: When selecting a board, consider its length, width, and volume. A wider board offers more stability, making it ideal for those just starting.

Recommendation 1: ISLE Pioneer 10’6″ Paddleboard

The ISLE Pioneer paddleboard is their original bestselling paddleboard and it’s designed to be an all rounder board. It’s perfect for both flat water and even small waves so you will have ample choice for where you want to paddleboard. I highly recommend this board and you can never go wrong with it 🙂

Recommendation 2: Tower 10’4″ Paddleboard

This Tower paddleboard is a really good SUP. It is made from rugged materials that function in a similar way to a hardboard, and because of this you’ll get all the benefits that come from this.

It’s also extremely durable and they even have case studies where they drive over the paddleboard with a car to show how sturdy they are. So if you’re looking for a top quality SUP that doesn’t destroy your budget then I would recommend you look into this.

Get more recommendations on top paddleboards here: 8 Of The Best Inflatable Stand Up Paddleboards For People On A Budget

Next up… You need a paddle…

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PADDLE

Your paddle is your engine, so choose wisely. Look for an adjustable paddle that suits your height. A lightweight paddle will reduce fatigue during longer outings.

Pro Tip: Stand next to your paddle, and the handle should reach your wrist when your arm is extended upward.

Recommendation 1: Super Paddles Elite 12k Bamboo

This is a featherlight paddle that was build for speed and performance. It has a carbon shaft and blade that’s covered in a beautiful Bamboo veneer. This is the best paddleboard paddle that I’ve ever seen and I would strongly recommend it for anyone no matter what level.

Recommendation 2: RedSnake Hydrodynamic Paddle

I absolutely loved this paddle! Not only is it a great all around paddle, but it also has some incredible power behind it. The carbon fiber frame is light and durable and it folds into a small little package when you’re travelling. But my favorite part of this paddle is the ergonomic handle because it takes off a lot of strain on your wrist. If you’re looking for a new paddleboard paddle then this is a great choice and it was my #2 favorite paddle in testing.

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PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE (PFD)

Safety should always be a priority. Invest in a comfortable PFD that’s approved for paddleboarding. Make sure it fits snugly to provide maximum protection.

Recommendation 1: Onyx M-16 Belt Life Jacket

The Onyx M-16 is hands-down the best belt paddleboarding life jacket that I’ve ever seen. It is small, non-restrictive and it feels like nothing is on you when you’re paddling. But if you ever have an instance where you fall into the water then you can rest easy knowing that it’s there for you.

Recommendation 2: Onyx MoveVent Life Vest

This life jacket is amazing for a beginner paddleboarder. It is extremely buoyant, comfortable and visible in the water (even in low light). And while it does struggle with being bigger than a belt life jacket, it will provide you with the extra buoyancy that you need when falling in the water.

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LEASH

Attaching a leash to your ankle or calf is essential. It prevents your board from drifting away if you fall off, ensuring a safer experience.

Recommendation 1: BPS Storm Premium Leash

This leash is a world-class leash that will serve you for years to come. Over the years I’ve tested out dozens of leashes and there are often common problems like being uncomfortable, too short or get tangled. This leash seems to avoid all of those issues with it’s smart design and quality material. It’s the only recommendation I will give you because it’s the only leash that I’ve found that truly met my needs.

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SUN PROTECTION

Paddleboarding often involves hours in the sun. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen, wear polarized sunglasses to reduce glare, and put on a wide-brimmed hat to shield yourself from the sun’s rays.

Recommendation 1: Surf Bucket Hat

This is an awesome wide-brimmed sun hat that provides shade for your face and neck, reducing the risk of sunburn and heatstroke. It also has a chin strap that is really handy if you fall off your SUP or to keep it on during a windy session out on the water.

Recommendation 2: Kuguaok Polarized Sports Sunglasses

These are some really nice (and budget-friendly) sunglasses. They are polarized to avoid the glare on the water… And they come at a price that you really don’t care that much if you fall into the water and lose them. The strap should prevent that but it’s always a possibility 😉

Recommendation 3: Sun Bum SPF 50 Sunscreen

This is a really high quality sun cream that I love! It’s made for surfing so it’s really good when it comes to you going in and out of the water constantly. It’s also non-stick so you won’t be covered in sand… And I know this sounds weird, but it smells like summer (in a good way). This is my favorite stand up paddleboarding sun cream on the market.

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And there you have it…

These are all the items that you need to start stand up paddleboarding, easy right?

So once you have those items then let’s go into the techniques.

Basic Stand Up Paddleboarding Techniques

The first thing that you’re going to have to learn is how to stand up, so let’s cover that now.

STANDING UP

Standing up on a paddleboard may seem daunting at first, but it’s all about balance. Begin in knee-deep water, placing your board parallel to the shore.

Follow these steps to stand up confidently:

• Start on your knees in the center of the board.
• Keep your hands on the board for stability.
• Gradually move one foot forward, placing it where your knees were.
• Now, step up with the other foot.
• Maintain a slight bend in your knees to absorb movements.

If you learn better with a video then this is a good one:

Here’s a more detailed guide on how to stand when paddleboarding: How To Stand On A Paddleboard: The Definitive Guide

Next, let’s talk about how you hold your paddle.

HOW TO HOLD YOUR PADDLE

How you hold the paddle is crucial for efficiency and comfort. It is really simple when you know how, but most people don’t actually teach you this…

But I got you covered 🤓

Follow these guidelines:

• Hold the paddle with one hand on the handle and the other hand on the shaft.
• Ensure the angle of the paddle blade is facing forward.
• Keep your hands shoulder-width apart for better control.

Different Stand Up Paddleboarding Strokes

To navigate efficiently, it’s beneficial to learn the various paddle strokes:

Forward Stroke	Use the forward stroke for cruising and maintaining a straight line. Reach forward, immerse the paddle fully, and pull it back to your ankle. Alternate sides with each stroke to go straight.
Reverse Stroke	The reverse stroke helps you paddle backward or slow down. Push the paddle away from your ankle towards the tail of the board.
Sweep Stroke	When you want to make sharp turns or wide arcs, use the sweep stroke. Extend the paddle out to the side and sweep it in a wide arc.

This might sound complicated but as soon as you get out on the water then it will be easy 🙂

Staying Balanced When Stand Up Paddleboarding:

Balancing on a paddleboard is a skill that develops with practice. Don’t worry about falling in a few times when you’re first getting started, that’s completely normal! You’re learning.

You’ll be surprised at how quickly you can pick it up when you take off the pressure of being able to stand immediately.

But let’s make sure that you’re as steady as possible on the board.

Here are some tips on how to stay steady:

Keep a Wide Stance	Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Distribute your weight evenly between both feet. Slightly bend your knees to absorb the board’s movements.
Engage Your Core	Activate your core muscles by slightly tucking in your pelvis. A strong core helps maintain balance and stability.
Look Ahead	Focus on a fixed point on the horizon. This not only helps with balance but also keeps you oriented.

Take a look at this example and see if you can spot all of these different tips in the photo.

Next let’s talk about falling.

Falling And Getting Back On

Falling off your paddleboard is part of the learning process, but knowing how to fall and get back on is crucial for safety:

FALLING SAFELY

The trick is to try to fall away from your board to avoid collisions, and always surface with a smile – it’s all part of the fun! You have a leash attached so it’s not a big deal and your board isn’t going to float away. But if you can fall away from the board then you’ll avoid hitting the board or a nasty paddleboard fin.

GETTING BACK ON YOUR BOARD

And once you fall off – don’t panic! Just get back on the board (it’s easy once you know how).

Here’s how to get back on your board:

Tips For Your First Stand Up Paddleboarding Outing

As you embark on your first SUP adventure, consider these valuable tips to ensure a memorable and safe experience:

Start in Calm Waters

Choose a location with calm, flat waters for your maiden voyage – this will give you the highest likelihood of standing for the first time.

Avoid strong currents and heavy wind, especially when starting out because it makes it significantly harder to paddle.

Use this interactive guide to find some amazing paddleboarding spots near you: Best Places To Go Paddleboarding Near Me – A Free Interactive Guide

Go with a Friend

Paddleboarding with a buddy is not only more enjoyable but also safer. You can help each other if needed and it’s just more fun to experience it for the first time with someone else there.

Make sure that you are capturing all the special (and funny) moments also while you’re out on the water with a camera.

Recommendation 1: Go Pro Hero 11 Black

Respect Nature

Enjoy the beauty of nature while paddleboarding but do so responsibly, avoid disturbing the wildlife and dispose of trash properly.

A really good rule of thumb to follow is to leave the environment exactly how you found it, do that and you’re all sorted 🙂

Learn from Others

Observing experienced paddleboarders can be incredibly instructive. Watch other riders and see if you can see all the strategies and techniques that I’ve spoken about in this article (and some of the mistakes).

You can pick up valuable tips and techniques from watching other people and it’s a really easy way to improve without having to get your feet wet in the water.

Looking for more tips to get you going faster? 15 Pro Tips to Make Your First Time Paddleboarding a Great Experience

Conclusion

In the world of water sports, stand up paddleboarding (SUP) stands out as a remarkable and accessible adventure that connects you with nature while offering a fantastic full-body workout. As you embark on your SUP journey, remember that the key to success lies in preparation, practice, and patience.

We’ve covered the essentials of SUP, from selecting the right gear to mastering basic paddling techniques, staying balanced on your board, and understanding different paddle strokes. Armed with this knowledge, you’re well on your way to becoming a proficient paddleboarder.

Stand Up Paddleboarding FAQs

Is SUP suitable for beginners?

Yes, SUP is beginner-friendly. Start in calm waters and practice in a safe environment. Don’t rush the learning process.

Looking for insider guides to some amazing paddle boarding locations? Check the Paddleboard Insiders Location Guides

Do I need prior experience in water sports?

No, prior experience is not necessary. SUP is easy to learn, and you can progress at your own pace. Just be patient and persistent.

What’s the ideal board size for beginners?

For beginners, it’s best to choose a wider and more stable board for better balance. As you gain confidence, you can explore narrower options. Look at some of the recommendations about to see the kind of paddleboards that you should look at getting.

Can children participate in SUP?

Yes, children can enjoy SUP, but they should always wear appropriate safety gear and be supervised by adults. Make it a fun family activity!

Here are some of the best paddleboards for children on the market right now: The Best Kids Paddleboard Of 2023: 5 Easy Options To Get Any Child On The Water Fast.

Are there any age restrictions for SUP?

There are no strict age restrictions, but children should have proper supervision, and adults should be physically fit for the activity. Stand up paddleboarding can be enjoyed by people of all ages.