Are you considering taking up stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) as a hobby? It’s a great way to spend some time out or the ocean or lake, getting you as close to the water as possible. SUP suits ocean-going activities like surfing and freshwater activities like paddling across the lake or down the river.
Spending a few hours on a SUP is a great workout and a fantastic way to tone your body and develop strength. Best of all, you get out into the fresh air, experiencing the wonderment of nature in full effect.
SUPs are gaining popularity, and the chances are you see them at any water venue, inland, or at the beach. These boards come in several designs to suit various activities, and there’s a SUP to suit whatever you want to do out on the water.
This brief guide on how to stand up paddleboard will help you hit the water like an expert.
Contents
What are the Types of SUPs?
You get so many different SUP designs. They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, offering you a design-specific SUP experience for any watersports activity.
Surf SUPs
The first SUPs featured an EPS epoxy construction, with a glassed foam core and a wooden stringer running the length of the center of the board.
These SUPs are more common in surfing applications, with designs appearing like large surfboards. They come with a rocker in the nose and tail of the board and deeper rails that hug the face of the wave.
While these surf SUPs were popular, they are heavy and long, with boards ranging from 9-feet to 14-feet in length. They aren’t as easy to transport as a surfboard given their increased size, but you can fit them to roof racks the same way you would a surfboard.
- DOUBLE SUP CEILING STORAGE: Two-sided overhead rack holds 2 paddleboards for space-efficient storage!
- HEAVY-DUTY STEEL: Built to hold up to 150 lbs (75 lbs per side), that's multiple boards at home, garage, or paddle shop.
- ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT: Offers 10" - 18" of storage clearance to fit multiple SUPs. Rack extends 12.125" - 20.125" total from the ceiling.
- WHAT BOARDS WILL IT FIT? 30" support arms fit most Touring, Racing, Flatwater, Yoga, Inflatable, and Surfing SUPs. Recommended for boards over 34" wide.
- EXCLUSIVE PATENTED DESIGN: Proudly designed in the USA. Built to hold your SUPs and built to last!
Inflatable SUPs
In 2014, manufacturers started releasing inflatable SUPs into the market. These boards changed the game, allowing for lightweight, compact transport to your venue. These boards feature a hollow design with supporting structures that create a firm board that won’t bend when you step onto it.
You inflate the board using a hand or electric pump that connects to your car’s electrical system.
Most SUPs range in the 9-foot to 14-foot length, and they have widths of between 28-inches to 32-inches and thicknesses varying between three to seven inches.
- Versatile: Paddle board suitable for various water activities like cruising, yoga, fishing, and more.
- Durable Construction: Made with high-quality materials to withstand regular use and outdoor conditions.
- Portable Design: Lightweight and easy to transport, with a compact size for convenient storage.
- Stable Platform: Wide and rigid shape provides excellent stability and balance on the water.
- Accessories Included: Comes with essential gear like a paddle, leash, and carry bag for a complete experience.
Choosing Your Model
The type of SUP you select depends on the kind of watersports activities you want to do with the board. Beginners will do better with wider, thicker boards as they float better and offer superior stability on the water.
Freshwater SUPs have a design for casual use on calm waters. Surf sups are like big surfboards, featuring a surfboard-shaped design and single or thruster fin arrangements. They typically have a thinner profile than all-around inflatables, and they have other design features like single or double concaves in the hull.
Typically, surf SUPs fetch a higher price tag than inflatables, with prices being up to four times to cost of the all-round SUP models.
SUP Equipment
After selecting your board, you’re going to need to kit it out with the right equipment. Let’s look at choosing the right leash, paddle, and personal flotation device (PFD) for your SUP experience.
SUP Leashes
The leash connects you to your board. It’s not really necessary to use a leash if you are out on still water, like a lake, because there is little chance of the board getting away from you. However, if you’re out on the ocean or a river and come off the board, the waves or current will force the board to the shore, leaving you stranded out in the waves or the river.
The leash connects to the top of your calf muscle using a Velcro strap and a rubber or plastic line connecting to the board’s tail. If you fall in the waves, the board stays with you instead of traveling to the shore.
You’ll want to choose a SUP leash that’s around the same length as the board or a foot longer. Don’t use a surfboard leash as it will drag in the water, causing you to “tombstone” the board as the waves toss you around underwater.
- Easy to Use - 10 ft powerful SUP leash of 5mm quality urethane cord
- Comfortable - Elastic polyurethane coiled surfboard leg rope with 1.5" quilted neoprene ankle cuff
- Classic Telephone Line design for Surfboard Leg Rope ensures more portability, lightweight, effectiveness and flexibility
- Suitable for stand up paddling, surfing and kayaking and is functional in more water environment
SUP PFD
If you’re new to paddleboarding and not a strong swimmer, you’re going to want to get yourself and SUP PFD. Your PFD should have certification from the US Coast Guard, stating that it meets the organization’s safety criteria.
PFDs come in a range of styles. We like the models that fit your waist like a moon bag, allowing the free movement of your arms. However, they are expensive, and going with a more affordable vest-type PFD might be the better choice if you’re running on a budget.
- FEEL THE MOVEMENT - High mobility, non-restrictive cut. Higher placement of upper buckle helps reduce ride up. Thinner back panel to reduce seat back interference
- INNOVATION MEANS BETTER - All foam corners are rounded and sculpted compared to many 3-buckle PFDs. Box-stitched webbing is also more durable than bar-tac stitching used by other Economy PFDs
- COAST GUARD APPROVED - Safety is our number one concern for open water explorers. Safe is exactly as you'll feel as this PFD is approved for paddlers over 90 pounds to enjoy paddling, general boating, and use on personal watercraft
- ALL THE FLOAT NONE OF THE BULK - Four Adult Universal PFD life vests in a convenient zippered storage bag. Lightweight at only 0.7 pounds and available in an easily adjustable universal unisex size fitting
- BORN IN THE WATER - Stohlquist products are the result of a lifetime of hands-on paddling and entrepreneurial spirit of founder Jim Stohlquist. Each model we offer follows the lineage of 40+ years of product innovation and refinement to provide our customers with the best WaterWare available today
Paddles
The board is only one-half of the SUP. The other half is your paddle. Choosing the right paddle for your SUP is critical to ensuring you get the best performance from the board on the water. Paddles are available in various materials, from cheap plastic to pricey carbon fiber.
The paddle comes with a single blade, and the top of the paddle features a “T” and finger grips, allowing you to grab it in the overhand position to drive the paddle into the water. Paddles are available in different lengths, and you’ll want to choose one that’s around six to ten inches taller than you.
- DURABLE&FLOATING: It is built with a 3-piece strong marine-grade aluminum shaft and a though Plastic blade. The Plastic blade is great for paddling in shallow waters and rocks because it's shock proof, and cannot be easily damaged. Has an internal floater to not sink in the water when fully assembled.
- ADJUSTABLE &LIGHTWEIGHT: It weighs only 1.88 lbs (0.87kg) and can be height adjusted from 65 to 87 inches (1,52 to 2,2 m), which makes it suitable to a very broad range of paddlers from 4' to 6'4" tall (1.22 to 1.92 m). An easy click & go system enables you to share your paddle with friends and family.
- PORTABLE: It's very portable and suitable for traveling around with your SUP and it takes only seconds to assemble or break down. When not assembled it's only 33.85 inches tall (86 cm) and can be packed in a small box/bag.
- HIGH COST-PERFORMANCE: The Karltion 3-Piece Adjustable Travel Paddle is affordable yet durable, a good quality paddle, it's a great choice for who don't want to spend a significant amount of money on a full carbon sup paddle.
- A MUST CHOICE FOR BEGINNER OR EXPERIENCED : Whether you are a beginner or an experienced paddle boarder, having a quality SUP paddle is an important part of the experience. This paddle is a real allrounder for flat water and small waves . The Tower 3-piece adjustable sup paddle will fit almost all paddle boarders needs at a value price.
Sizing Your SUP Paddle
Sizing your SUP paddle requires a customized approach to assessing the right length for you. The defining factors surrounding your paddle choice are the following.
- Your height.
- The length of your arms.
- The length of the board.
- The application of the paddle (surf, cruising, etc.).
Basic SUP Paddling Techniques
After selecting your SUP and paddle, it’s time to head out onto the water for some practice. We recommend starting on calm waters to get a feel for the dynamics of the board before taking it into the ocean.
Standing on Your SUP
Here’s the optimal technique for standing on the board.
The Beginner Method
Launch the board and wade out into waist-deep water to prevent the fins from hitting bottom when you mount it. Place the paddle on the opposite side of the board to the side you’re mounting, and make sure you have a firm grip on it.
Place your hands on the rails on either side and pull your body onto the board. Practice doing a pushup, pulling your knees up to your chest as you rise so that you land in a kneeling position on the deck. With your hands gripping the rails, move your strong foot to the front position.
If you’re “goofy foot,” your left foot will lead, and if you have a “natural” stance, your right foot will take the lead. We recommend figuring out your stance before taking your board into the water.
After landing your front foot, shift your rear foot sideways while holding the rails and raise your hips and upper body to the standing position while releasing the rails.
Take a second to get your balance before reaching down for the paddle.
After you master this beginner method, you can move on to the advanced technique of “popping up.”
The Advanced Method – Popping Up
Popping up involves you lying flat on the board in the pushup position. You’ll push up with your upper body, launching your chest into the air while lifting your knees and placing your feet in the standing position in one smooth motion.
It’s a good idea to practice this on the beach until you’re confident you have it right. Learning the art of “popping up” takes some practice, but it’s essential if you’re planning on using the SUP in the surf. When the wave breaks, you don’t have the time to use the kneeling method.
Falling in the Water
Eventually, you’re going to fall off the board. Even if you’re out on calm water, you’re eventually going to make a mistake that lands you in the drink. Learning to fall in clam water is easy; you just fall to the side, and there’s not much to think about.
However, if you’re surfing in the ocean, it’s a different story. You’re going to need to learn to fall to the side, as far away from the board as possible. Don’t worry about the board getting away from you; the leash will keep it within reach when you get back to the surface.
The last thing you want to do is fall on the board or close to it. Surf SUPs can weigh up to 40-lbs, and if it hits you on the head in the churn, it could knock you unconscious.
The fins on the board also present a risk, and there are plenty of horror stories of surfers ending up with deep cuts on their body, neck, or face after coming in contact with the fins underwater.
Learning SUP Strokes
Mastering the SUP means that you will need to learn how to paddle effectively. Let’s unpack the three types of paddling strokes you need to get you moving.
The Forward Stroke
Grab the T on the top of the paddle with your dominant hand and place your other hand about two to three feet down the shaft of the paddle.
Reach the paddle blade out two or three feet in front of you and drive the blade into the water.
As you pull, focus on maintaining your balance and ensure you have a tight core.
As the blade enters the water, push down on the T while pulling your bottom hand towards the rear of the board as far as you can without losing your balance.
As you drive through the movement, keep your arms straight and use your upper body to provide the momentum while twisting your hips slightly to accommodate the change in balance.
The Reverse Stroke
The reverse stroke or drag will help you slow the board.
Keep your dominant hand on top, and reach back with the paddle, reversing the motion of the forward paddle.
If you’re out on the ocean and riding waves, you might find that the board moves too far away from the power zone of the wave.
To keep yourself in the power zone, drag the paddle behind you, using the blade to control the board’s direction on the wave face.
The Sweep Stroke
The sweep stroke helps you turn the board while moving or standing.
If you paddle on the left side, rotate your shoulders, so the left shoulder moves forward.
Reach forward and drive the blade into the water, sweeping it away from the side of the board in an arching motion from the nose to the tail.
While sweeping, rotate your hips.
In Closing – Top SUP Tips
Check out these tips to ensure you get the best experience out on the water with your SUP.
- Practice mounting the board and popping up on dry land before getting in the water.
- Don’t hold the paddle like a broomstick; keep one hand on the T and the other about two to three feet down the shaft, with hands shoulder-width apart.
- Keep your feet parallel and about shoulder-width apart to ensure you have the balance you need when paddling.
- If you’re out in the waves, you can use the surf stance but stand in the forward position with your feet side-by-side if you’re on flat water.
- Use your back and hips when paddling, or you’ll end up burning out your arms.
- Dip the entire face of the blade into the water.
- For your first experience, choose a flat body of water, like a lake, to practice. You can even practice in a swimming pool.
- Choose a day to SUP where there is little wind if there is wind, paddle away from it, not into it.
- Take a friend with you or tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back.
- Your first session should last around an hour before you start feeling tired, but you’ll get stronger every session.
- Always wear a PFD for safety.
- Practice, practice, practice!
