10 Stand Up Paddle Boarding Tips for Beginners

Are you excited to go paddle boarding with your friends and family? Read these 10 SUP tips to make your first time more rewarding!

Stand up paddle boarding is one of the fastest growing sports in the world — so much that it’s evolved to include other enjoyable activities like fishing, yoga and more. It’s a fun way to stay active outdoors and enjoy the beauty of your local waters. So it’s no surprise that you’d like to try it now that the weather is warmer!

Now, you’re most likely curious as to what you should do since this will be your first time paddle boarding. Don’t worry, we listed some tips for you so you can SUP safely, comfortably and most of all enjoyably!

Beginner-Friendly SUP Tips

Tip 1: Use an all-around paddle board

Choosing the right stand up paddle board, especially for your first time, is necessary for your overall enjoyment and safety. It’s usually best to start with an all-around SUP that’s easy to balance on in both flat and wavy waters. All-around SUPs are just generally perfect for beginners as they can be used for several SUP activities like SUP yoga, SUP fishing, SUP touring and even SUP surfing. Don’t forget to also consider the right thickness and volume of your board as well that will suit your body type!

Tip 2: Hold your paddle the right way

Beginners typically hold the paddle in a way where the bent part of the blade is facing them, so they can ‘scoop’ themselves forward. We get it… it’s instinct to do it that way. Unfortunately, that’s not the correct way to hold your paddle as it may cause unwanted splashing and make you lose your balance.

You need to flip the paddle over so the bent part is facing away from you. You also need to check your hand placement. If your hands are too close together, it can limit the power of your strokes and you may even get tired faster. The way to do it is to put one hand on the top grip and slide the other hand along the shaft until it’s at a 90-degree angle. The hand that grips the shaft should be the same as the side you’re paddling on. So if you’re paddling on the left, your left hand is on the shaft.

It’s also a good idea to get yourself a paddle leash, so you don’t have to swim for it every time you lose it.

Tip 3: Face the right direction

Another thing that most beginners tend to do is face the wrong direction. This is a common mistake for beginners, as the front end is not really that obvious — especially when you’re using an all-around board with a large round nose.

So which end goes in front? The easiest way to tell is by searching for the fins. You just need to make sure they’re in the back and not the front. Paddling with your board the other way around will make your board ‘twitchy’ and force you to keep switching sides.

Tip 4: Start slow

If this is your first time to stand up paddle board, your balance might not be the best yet. So don’t force yourself to stand up straight right away. You’re allowed to take it slow, one paddle at a time, until you’re more comfortable on your board.

You can start by sitting first, then slowly move your way to kneeling, squatting and lastly standing up. SUPing can be a low-intensity sport, which means you can take your time and paddle at your own pace.

Tip 5: Use a leash

Aside from making sure you have fun while you stand up paddle board, you also need to prioritise your safety. When paddle boarding, you need to remember to fasten yourself to your board by using a SUP leash. Your board becomes your life-saving device when you get tired, lost or a little too far from the shore. Keeping yourself tethered to it will prevent you from losing it during windy or stormy conditions.

There are many types of SUP leash that you can choose from that will suit your preference and paddling style. But no matter what you pick, the most important thing that you need to do is choose a high-quality SUP leash that won’t break off easily but can be quickly unfastened if necessary.

Tip 6: Stay in calm waters

Since you’re a beginner, it’s a good idea to stay in calm waters first. Going to a calm lake or bay is preferable, so you don’t need to worry about big currents. If your goal is to surf bigger waves, you can always save it for later, at least until you’re more comfortable on the water and have a better understanding of the flow and power of it.

Then you can slowly transition to smaller waves. It’s very important to not rush yourself to handle big waves right away. Stand up paddle boarding is supposed to be fun and safe for everyone, so it’s best to keep it that way. Eventually, you’ll be surfing bigger waves, so just keep practising!

Tip 7: Keep your head up and give yourself enough space

It can sometimes be hard to keep your head up and look straight in front of you, especially if it’s your first time to stand up paddle board. It’s our instinct to look downward, most likely because we’re scared to fall into the water. But standing straight is necessary for you to achieve maximum stability. Avoid looking down as this can ruin your balance.

Another thing you need to try to do is to give yourself enough space. Unless you’re taking group photos, there’s really no other reason to paddle board right next to another paddle boarder — most especially if you’re both beginners. They’ll create waves that may cause you to lose your stability. It’s also possible for them to bump into you, which increases the chances of you falling off your SUP. So giving yourself enough room to paddle around is necessary for everyone’s safety.

Tip 8: Fall away from the board

It’s completely normal for beginners to fall off their SUPs. In fact, this can happen to even to experienced paddlers. Falling is inevitable. We get it, you’d like to stay on your board the majority of the time, but this will serve as a learning experience that’ll teach you how you’re supposed to fall to minimise injuries.

It’s vital that you practice falling away from your board, so you don’t end up getting hit by it. Landing in water is a lot more forgiving than landing on your stand up paddle board. Don’t worry about your board getting lost in the water, as you can always use a leash, so it stays with you.

Tip 9: Focus on engaging your core

Another important paddle boarding tip every beginner should remember is to engage your core and not your arms when paddling. Your arm muscles will provide less power and easily tire out compared to your core muscles. Using your core will help ensure greater efficiency in paddling and allows you to maintain your balance on the board. It also lets you get a good low-intensity workout that will build your core strength and improve your muscle definition in your midsection.

Tip 10: Bring the necessities

Last but definitely not least: bring the necessities. You can get yourself a waterproof bag that you can attach to your board. You can put your bug spray, sunscreen, car keys and even your phone in there in case of an emergency. You can even add a snack or two in there if ever you get hungry while you are stand up paddle boarding. Just make sure it’s securely fastened, so it won’t detach while you’re having fun!

Let’s wrap up!

There’s always a first time for everything, so don’t feel bad if you feel like you’ve been doing some of these steps the wrong way. It’ll take practice and experience to perfect whatever type of activity that you’re trying to be better at. So we hope this will you improve your stand up paddle boarding skills and at the same time make this activity more fun and rewarding for you.

If you’re looking for a SUP, Kahuna’s got you! Our inflatable all-around stand up paddle boards are made with the highest-quality materials to ensure your satisfaction and safety. It comes with everything you need as well — an aluminium paddle, a high-output pump, coiled safety leash, centre fin, repair kit and even a durable backpack to keep everything in — for an awesome paddling experience! Order yours today or contact us to learn more about our inflatable SUPs!