Stand up paddle boarding may have taken the world by storm, but you can do a lot more than SUP with a paddle board.
Prone paddle boarding is, for some weird reason, among the less popular things to do with a paddle board — but we assure you that prone paddle boarding is not the lazy way out, it isn’t any less fun than SUP, and it definitely deserves more attention than it’s getting.
Interested? Great. Here, we’ll be diving into the what, why, and how behind prone paddle boarding.
By the time you get to the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly what you need to get started with prone paddle boarding.
Contents
What Exactly Is Prone Paddle Boarding?
Stand up paddle boarding has become so popular that the term “paddle boarding” has almost become synonymous with SUP. It wasn’t always that way. The sport most people would call prone paddle boarding now can also simply be referred to as paddle boarding, and many folks believe that prone paddle boarding preceded SUP.
In prone paddle boarding, riders can either lie down on their abdomens, or kneel. They then use their hands to propel themselves forward — because, that’s right, prone paddle boarding doesn’t involve any paddles!
If you’re at all into stand up paddle boarding, you’ll have heard that this sport began with a Hawaiian surfer, John Ah Choy, who adapted his technique so he could continue to enjoy the waves as he aged. His sons continued to use this unique way to surf as they taught surfing to tourists, and from there, the form of stand up paddle boarding we’re familiar with today was born.
Prone paddle boarding is also often said to have originated in Hawaii. More specifically, the famous explorer Thomas Cook is said to have seen Hawaiian locals practice this technique at the end of the 18th century. We’re talking about traditional surfboards called olo here. Because of the observations Cook made, the paddle boarding pioneer Thomas Edward Blake crated the first modern paddle board in 1920.
This paddle board was basically a recreation of a traditional olo, but to achieve a lighter weight, Blake drilled the board full of holes and covered it (likely with wood veneer). Paddle boards have come a long way since that time, but the designs that modern prone paddle boarders use still have a lot in common with this early creation.
About that — you could use a rigid SUP or an inflatable SUP to try prone paddle boarding, but that’s absolutely not ideal. Anyone who’s serious about prone paddle boarding uses boards that look quite different, and that are much better suited to a way of paddle boarding in which the rider uses their arms to move.
Why Choose Prone Paddle Boarding?
Prone paddle boarding is an awesome water sport that has many unique advantages. Many people who enjoy prone paddle boarding especially like the fact that this kind of paddle boarding gets the rider closer to the water.
On a prone paddle board, you’ll be able to feel every wave, every movement the water makes, as your board cuts through the water. As you propel yourself forward, you’re constantly in touch with nature, quite literally. This makes prone paddle boarding an immersive and relaxing experience.
Because prone paddle boarding keeps the rider close to the water, worrying about wind isn’t as big of an issue, either; you’re more aerodynamic on a prone paddle board.
Prone paddle boarding may look easy when you see someone else do it, but don’t judge that book by its cover. Prone paddle boarding is every bit as challenging as stand up paddle boarding, and works a great variety of muscles.
Prone paddle boarding is often a great choice for people who like to go back to basics. You do need some gear to get started with prone paddle boarding, of course, but you can expect to carry a lot less stuff around than you would if you were to go stand up paddle boarding.
In prone paddle boarding, you, your board, and the water you’re on are the main players — and that’s just how prone paddle boarders like it.
How Does Prone Paddle Boarding Differ From SUP? How Does it Compare to Bodyboarding?
Stand up paddle boarding, which relies on different board designs, requires the rider to stand up on the paddle board, maintaining balance with their legs and upper body.
To propel themselves forward through the water, stand up paddle boarders rely on a specialized paddle. They use both their hands to move this paddle, which remains on one side of the paddle board.
Prone paddle boarding doesn’t use paddles at all — instead, the rider relies on their arms to move them forward as they lie or kneel on the paddle board. This means that prone paddle boarders work their arms an awful lot harder than someone practicing SUP, but the legs don’t get quite as much of a workout.
The boards used for prone paddle boarding are also different. Compared to SUPs, they’re longer but less wide, and prone paddle boards often feature a rounded hull. Some prone paddle boards additionally have slightly sunken tops. Given the fact that these boards are designed with an entirely different water sport in mind, that makes sense.
As for bodyboarding, that’s a different sport, too. Bodyboarders specifically ride waves in a prone position, and while it looks similar to prone paddle boarding at first glance, bodyboarding arguably has more in common with surfing. Bodyboarders use a different kind of board than prone paddle boarders, and they also often wear a fin to swim between waves.
All water sports are amazing in their own unique ways, and prone paddle boarding is an often overlooked option. Once you get into it, you may well wonder why you didn’t try prone paddle boarding sooner, because we promise it totally rocks.
What Do You Need for Prone Paddle Boarding?
To enjoy prone paddle boarding safely, you’ll need three main pieces of gear — a paddle board that’s suited to prone paddle boarding, a life vest or personal flotation device, and a leash that attaches you to your paddle board.
Four main types of prone paddle boards can be found on the market. Here’s a look at them and their benefits:
- Short prone paddle boards measure 10’6″. These paddle boards are best for racing, and coastal rescue personnel also rely on this kind of short paddle board in some areas.
- Most prone paddle boarders use 12′ boards. These paddle boards are designed with people who would like to traverse longer distances in mind, whether you’re riding in calm waters or are braving choppier conditions. They’re the go-to board for beginners as well as experienced prone paddle boarders.
- Some people prefer longer, 14′, boards. These long-distance boards aren’t great for beginning prone paddle boarders, however.
- Unlimited prone paddle boards can range in length, usually from 15 to 21 feet, and these prone paddle boards are equipped with a rudder. While these boards can be great, they’re not the best choice if you are just getting into prone paddle boarding.
Riders will also need a leash to keep themselves safe if they find themselves in choppier waters. Wearing a personal flotation device is highly recommended.
Many prone paddle boarders, even beginners, skip that crucial step because they find lying on the prone paddle board while wearing a life vest a hassle. Get used to it, especially if you’re new to prone paddle boarding, because it’s for your safety.
While we’re talking about safety, also consider what you are going to wear while prone paddle boarding. It’s best to wear a rash guard or sleeveless wet suit. If you live in a warm and sunny climate, you definitely don’t want your back to be exposed to the sun the whole time you’re engaged in prone paddle boarding.
Because your arms will be doing all the heavy lifting when you go prone paddle boarding, it’s key to maximize your range of motion. You get bonus points if the swim wear you pick doesn’t chafe in the process, because that’ll help you avoid unnecessary pain.
Whatever you wear, make sure it’s got bright colors that will make it possible for you to be spotted easily if you do get dragged under, get into trouble, and need rescuing.
What else might you need? A small dry bag to keep essential gear like your phone, a royal dose of strong sunscreen, and a large bottle filled with safe drinking water are your best friends. Beyond that, you won’t really need much.
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Tips to Keep in Mind When You Try Prone Paddle Boarding for the First Time
How do you get started with prone paddle boarding? By doing it — but start out safely and slowly.
Here’s a step by step guide:
- Take your prone paddle board to a location with calm and shallow waters, like a local lake.
- Practice getting on and off your prone paddle board. Find a position that works well for you. This should be balanced. You can lie down, flat on your belly, or you can kneel at various angles. Most prone paddle boarders like to switch between these two positions, so practice both.
- Try paddling. The strokes you make on a prone paddle board should stick close to the sides of the board, and be long but not wide.
- Pay attention to the position your head and neck are in as you prone paddle board, as well. It’s important to be able to see where you are going, what the conditions on the water are like, and whether there are any obstacles in the way at all times. At the same time, you’d prefer to be comfortable. Experiment and find that sweet spot where you can see everything you need to without being punished with neck pain later on.
- As you get more comfortable, try to paddle board more quickly. You can reach impressive speeds on a prone paddle board, and that’s one of the best things about the sport.
- Stick to safer waters for a while, and then begin venturing out to more exciting areas when you really get the hang of prone paddle boarding. No matter where you go, do remember that prone paddle boards are not designed for surfing.
Congratulations: You’re Nearly Ready to Try Prone Paddle Boarding
We’d just like to leave you with two final tips. Unless you have money to pour down the drain (in which case — have fun), you won’t want to invest in a prone paddle board of your own right away.
If you’ve got a paddle board rental nearby, or even not so nearby, we’d warmly recommend taking full advantage of that option as you explore whether you even like prone paddle boarding. Not everyone does, and that’s cool. Unless, of course, you’ve just bought expensive gear you’re not going to use.
The second parting tip? Prone paddle boarding looks deceptively easy. It isn’t. Most people who enjoy both stand up paddle boarding and prone paddle boarding would tell you that SUP is much easier to get into. Knowing this before you get started will motivate you to keep practicing and getting better.
Learning to master prone paddle boarding is well worth the significant effort it takes, and you can rest assured that you’ll improve your technique and speed every time you practice.
In conclusion, prone paddle boarding is somewhat of a niche water sport. This form of paddle boarding doesn’t get nearly as much attention as it should, and that’s quite a shame, because prone paddle boarding is completely amazing in its own right.
Try prone paddle boarding if you’d like to get a great workout and connect with nature on a deeper level while you’re at it. Stick with it for the freedom and fun it gives you, and keep practicing to excel.
