Tips and Tricks for Your First Time Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUPing)

First time on a paddle board? Feeling a little shaky standing up? Don’t worry, you’re in the right place! 

Paddle boarding has exploded in popularity recently: it’s calm, it’s beautiful, and almost anyone can pick it up in an afternoon. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Join me for a quick jaunt into the world of Stand Up Paddle Boarding as I guide you through the best tips and tricks for your first time.

Here’s everything I wish someone had told me before my first time on a board.

Flat Water First 

Before anything else, think about where and when you’re heading out.

Pick flat, calm water for your first outing. A sheltered lake, a slow river bend, or a quiet bay on a still morning is ideal. Open ocean, a river with rapids, or busy boat channels are not where beginners learn.

Check the wind forecast, and the temperature. Wind is the biggest factor that turns a relaxing paddle into a struggle; if it’s windy, don’t go! If you’re in the ocean, be especially cautious of offshore wind (wind blowing away from shore), because it can push you out faster than you can paddle back.

Dress for the water, not the air. A warm, sunny day can hide very cold water, and you will get wet. If the water is cold, wear a wetsuit. If it’s warm, quick-drying clothes you don’t mind soaking are perfect. (Pack the bathing suit and the sunshirt!)

And finally, go on a hot day. Like truly hot. You will do a fair bit of falling in, and it’s a lot more fun to fall into the water when you’re sweating vs shivering. 

Bring The Right Gear 

Use a leash. It keeps your board attached to you, which matters a lot when you do the aforementioned falling in. If you fall in and the wind catches your board, it can drift away quite fast. The leash is your lifeline back to your floatation.

Wear a personal flotation device (PFD). In many places it’s legally required, and even strong swimmers benefit from one. Don’t skip this! It’s safety!

Get a board suited to beginners. Wider and longer boards ( 32+ inches wide) are far more stable than the sleek, narrow ones. 

Get a good beginner paddle, something lightweight and sturdy. And don’t forget to bring water, and your snacks! The best part of paddleboarding is just hanging out on the water and relaxing, so make the hangout enjoyable. 

Stand Up Slowly  

Start on your knees, not your feet. Climb on in shallow water (but deep enough that the fin doesn’t hit the bottom) and kneel just behind the center handle. Paddle around on your knees for a minute to get a feel for the balance. Some people stay here the whole time! That’s fine. The most important part isn’t to stand up, it’s to explore the water and have a good time. 

When you’re ready to stand, do it one foot at a time. The “tripod” position while holding the paddle–handle end down– against the surface of the board can be very helpful. Place your feet where your knees were, roughly hip-width apart and parallel. Rise in one smooth motion rather than creeping up slowly. 

Once you’ve mastered standing up, paddle around a bit, clench your core and enjoy yourself! 

It’s All In Your Core 

Once you’re standing, a few small tricks will keep you there.

Look at the horizon, not your feet. Your body follows your eyes, and staring down at the board is a reliable way to lose your balance and fall into the water. Pick a point in the distance and keep your gaze up. I prefer a desert tower skyline as my focus point. 

Keep your knees soft. Slightly bent knees act like shock absorbers and let you adjust to small wobbles. Locked, stiff legs leave your body unable to absorb the shock and mean you’re more likely to tumble in! 

Keep paddling. Counterintuitively, you’re more stable when the board is moving than when it’s sitting still. If you feel shaky, take a few strokes rather than freezing in place.

And clench your core! It’s all about keeping yourself stable, the more you tighten into your core the more stable you will feel. 

How to fall (yes, really!)

You’re going to fall in. Everyone does, and it’s part of the fun! The trick is falling well.

Aim to fall away from the board, into the open water, and breathe out as you do! (water in the nose is worse when delivered with force) Enjoy a nice cool swim for a few minutes, and then hop back on the board. You won’t let this setback stop you.

To climb back on, position yourself at the center of the board near the handle. Grab the far edge, kick your legs up behind you like you’re getting out of a pool, and slide your chest onto the deck. Then rotate to a kneeling position and start again. It’s awkward the first few times and then suddenly easy.

Last But Not Least 

Just some life improvement items: make sure to bring water and wear sunscreen. You’re out in the sun with light reflecting off the water, and it’s easy to underestimate both dehydration and burn. Sun will reflect up off the surface of the water as well as down from the top. Sunscreen is your friend! 

Don’t rush. The whole appeal of paddle boarding is how unhurried it is. Take breaks, sit or lie down on the board (I love lying down on the board), and enjoy being on the water. The skills come quickly once you stop fighting the board and start working with it.

That’s it. Pick a calm morning, grab a stable board, keep your eyes up, and remember that falling in is half the fun. By the end of your first session, you’ll be wondering why you waited so long to try it.

---

Cover Photo Credit: Kaya Lindsay