A week before our Hawaii trip, Jason from Jason’s Travels, a travel blogger I met at TBEX ’12, tweeted about stand up paddle boarding in Oahu. Then a few days before we left, there was a Living Social Deal for a half-price 2 hour paddle board lesson in Honolulu. Needless to say I got the hint and decided to give paddle boarding a try during our vacation.
Contents
- How to Stand Up Paddle Board – Do’s And Don’ts For The Beginner
- 1. Grab your SUP by the handle and walk into the ocean with confidence
- 2. Sit criss-cross apple sauce Indian style, on your knees, or kneel while paddling out.
- 3. Getting up on the board
- 4. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart, one on each side of the board
How to Stand Up Paddle Board – Do’s And Don’ts For The Beginner
Since we were staying in the North Shore, the Living Social Deal in Honolulu was not going to happen as there was no way I was going to drive into congested Honolulu to paddle board. Instead, we planned to paddle board in Lanikai, away from the crowd and congestion of Waikiki.
Hawaii Beach Time, the company we used to rent snorkel gear (read my post about why you should rent snorkel gear in Oahu vs bringing it), also rented SUPs (stand up paddle boards). And even better, they had a Lanikai Beach Value Package which we modified to include a SUP instead of the double kayak.
Read: 5 reasons you should rent snorkel gear in Oahu
How to Stand Up Paddle Board – Do’s And Don’ts For The Beginner
1. Grab your SUP by the handle and walk into the ocean with confidence
Grab your SUP by the handle even if the wind is howling and blowing the paddle board away from your body at a 45-degree angle.
If your paddle board doesn’t have a handle in the middle (bummer for you, you either chose the wrong board or wrong rental company…) carry it on your head – longboard style.
Pro-tip: Don’t drag your paddleboard by the fin, nose, or leash into the water.
2. Sit criss-cross apple sauce Indian style, on your knees, or kneel while paddling out.
Pro-tip: Don’t straddle the board like a surfboard.
A SUP is a lot wider than a longboard and with your legs dangling off the sides it will take you longer to paddle out.
Do make sure the tag on your bikini bottoms is not sticking up. Dork alert!
3. Getting up on the board
From a kneeling position:
- Lay the oar lengthwise on the board so that it’s between your legs
- Place your hands shoulder width apart in front of you and push yourself up to a standing position, as you’re rising, grab the oar with one hand
- Add a little forward hop while pushing yourself up
From a seated position:
- Lay the oar lengthwise on the board so that it’s between your legs
- Place your hands next to your legs and push up, grab the oar with one hand while rising
From a supine position aka if you were on your belly (if you rode the board out like a surfboard):
- Lay the oar lengthwise on the board so that it’s between your legs
- Place your hands shoulder width apart in front of you
- Push up with your hands and lift chest off the paddle board
- Get into a downward dog position (head down, belly down but off the board, butt in the air)
- Frog hop your legs to your hands shoulder-width apart and quickly push up, grabbing the oar with one hand while rising
Riding it out like a surfboard worked best for me and I was always able to quickly get up on the board. Granted I used to surf but that was so long ago my longboard is older than both my children’s ages combined.
4. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart, one on each side of the board
Pro-tip: Don’t stand on the paddleboard like a surfboard.
The balance is wrong and you’ll end up in the water. Trust me on this.
Read: 5 things you didn’t know about Oahu
And while you’re in Honolulu, hike Koko Head Crater.
Read: I hiked Koko Head Crater and lived
Pin to your travel, vacation, or Hawaii board:
Disclaimer: Hawaii Beach Time provided us with a Lanikai Beach Value Package in exchange for a review. Since I was compensated with the use of free equipment, in the interest of full and complete disclosure, I’m disclosing.
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Debra Schroeder is a travel writer with 26 years of experience using miles and points to travel the world. A former 12-year travel industry executive, she knows how to find the deals and how to creatively finance trips, like getting a trip to Hawaii for practically free or a $26,000 trip to Australia for $208. She’s always looking for the best deal, whether it’s a hostel, luxury resort, or somewhere in between.
Stephanie Pass
Sunday 20th of November 2016
I am the klutzy person in the world. There is no way I could ever do this without killing myself, lol.
Rozilyn Cool
Saturday 19th of November 2016
Love the fact that there are instructions to stand up from several positions. I think even I could do this, and I have horrible balance.
Lynndee
Saturday 19th of November 2016
Thank you for the tips! I would love to do this one of these days. Bet my son and husband would love to do it too.
HilLesha
Friday 18th of November 2016
I don't know how to swim, so this would be a lost cause for me. However, it still looks fun, nonetheless!
Echo
Friday 18th of November 2016
This is a great guide. I still don't think I could ever do this though. I just don't have the balance!