Paddleboard Training Tips For Beginners

Stand up paddle boarding is an exciting new sport and a great way to enjoy the outdoors, but what are the best paddleboard training tips for beginners? Keep reading to learn the top five tips that every beginner should know, then get out and hit the water!

1. Remain Calm (for a while): It's best to start out on calm water, so look for a pool or pond where you can get a feel for mounting your paddle board and balancing on top of it. You want this water to be free from obstacles and disturbances. You'll learn quicker in these conditions.
2. Don't Slouch: Beginners often hunch over their paddle boards, but you'll be more balanced and stable if you keep your back straight. Level your shoulders and face where you want to go.
3. Flex those Knees! Your back should be straight, but your knees should remain flexed the whole time. Straight, locked knees are a recipe for disaster—you'll fall off your board in no time. Keeping your knees bent means that more of your leg muscles are engaged, which means that you'll respond quicker and more securely to the board as it moves on the changing surface of the water beneath you.
4. Get Vertical: With your paddle, that is. Ideally, you want your paddle stroke to start almost vertically, so practice inserting the paddle in the water vertically and drawing it straight back. This is the most efficient way to paddle, and you want to work on developing good habits right away.
5. Fall with Grace: Falling off your paddle board is inevitable, especially for beginners, so it's a good idea to practice falling well. The most important thing is to fall to either the right or left side of the paddle board. To avoid injury, fall in the water, not on the board.