How To Stand Up Paddle Board
Whether you want to learn how to stand up paddle board while on vacation or at home for the health benefits and to strengthen your core, here's what you need to know to have a successful paddle board session.
A week before our free vacation in Hawaii Jason from Jason's Travels, a travel blogger I met at TBEX '12, tweeted about stand up paddle boarding in Oahu.
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.
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.
1. Grab Your SUP by the Handle
Grab your SUP by the handle. It's much easier to carry. Plus you can walk into the ocean with confidence. 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 On Knees or With Legs Crossed
Sit on your knees, with your legs crossed criss-cross apple sauce Indian style, or kneel while paddling out.
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!
Pro-tip: Don't straddle the board like a surfboard.
3. Getting up on the Board
It can be tricky getting up on the board. Here are a few tips to make your first paddleboarding experience easier.
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. 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
Riding a paddle board is easier when you stand with your feet shoulder width apart, keeping one foot on each side of the board.
You don't want to stand on the paddleboard like a surfboard. The balance is wrong and you'll end up in the water. Trust me on this.
You can book a paddle board lesson in Oahu.
While you're visiting Honolulu, be sure to hike Koko Head Crater and visit Pearl Harbor. Oahu may surprise you, here are 5 things you didn't know about Oahu.
You might find that you'll love to paddle board. You can buy this best-selling inflatable SUP paddle board. If you want to learn more about paddleboarding, this book is a great resource.
One of the best things about paddle boarding is that you can do it anywhere there's a body of water. If you're doing a multi-island tour of Hawaii, you can also paddleboard in Maui or Kaui.
Pro-tip: You can use miles and points to get a free trip to Hawaii like we did. You can use Chase Ultimate Rewards points for Hawaii, use your points for hotels in Hawaii, and book a rental car with points.
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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Great tips, I've been wanting to try this, I saw it for the first time ever in Hawaii in early 2011! Will keep my eyes open for Groupons or LS deals! And PS, every photo of me on a beach has the tag sticking up on my bikini bottom! I blame Kevin, for not warning me 😛
LOL and Kevin is a photographer, so you'd think he'd say something. I think it's a guy/girl thing; guys probably don't even notice the tag.
Definitely a guy thing! He doesn't notice at all!
Living in San Diego there was always this controversy between surfers and SUP'ers. I learn a bit more toward surfing myself; call me a purist LOL! But I can see how people would enjoy SUPing, too. 🙂 Looks like you had a good time!
Oh my gosh! How did you know that I was going to go to the beach next year for vacation? I have been wanting to learn how to paddleboard so bad. Thank you for this.
Thanks so much for sharing these tips. I've always wanted to learn how to stand up paddle board. I've seen people doing it when we go to Florida, and it looks like so much fun. I think I'll give it a shot next time.
I have always wanted to learn how to stand up paddle board. Now that I'm in better shape I think I might give it a try. Thanks for the tips.
This looks like a ton of fun and definitely would provide some great exercise. I do not live close to many bodies of water where I could do this but I would love to try it someday.
These are great tips! I haven't been paddleboarding yet, but have been wanting to try it one time when on vacation. Thanks for sharing!
I'm so going paddle boarding next Summer. It looks like so fun.
I am so impressed that you were able to do stand up paddle boarding! You can seriously do it all. Thanks for the tips, if we ever experience this I feel like I am a bit prepared after reading your tips!
I've seen locals doing this on the Snake River. I really should try it. Looks like a great workout.
I want to give this a try at the shore next summer. It looks like a fun workout.
These are all amazing tips for anyone brave enough to get out on a paddle board in the ocean. I'm such a weenie, I can barely do anything! ☺ It is so hard to swim in the ocean for me, I can't image attempting to row on a paddle board! Good for you!
These are great (and very well thought out and explained) tips! I have never tried stand up paddle boarding before, but it looks like so much fun! It looks like you had some gorgeous scenery to enjoy! Absolutely breathtaking!
I've always wanted to try this, but I never got a chance. These are great tips. The next time we head to the beach, I'll make sure that we do this.
I have always wanted to do this! It looks like so much fun! Thanks for the tips!
It looks fun! I've never tried it, but I would love too. Thanks for steps how to start with this.
Thank you for the tips! I have never tried this and I see it all the time and I want to one day! I can't swim so it would have to be near the shore line.
Silvia
http://www.lovelysilvia.com
This sounds like fun. I just don't think it is something that I can do. 🙁
I move to Fl about 5 years ago and have only been to the beach a few times. This sounds like it would be a lot of fun.
I've wanted to try paddle boarding for a long time now. It looks like so much fun!
I can only imagine what it is like to be in Hawaiian waters. Wow. To swim it or surf it. I'd take it all.
thanks for the tips as this is one thing i have been wanting to try for a long time. I used to surf a lot when I was younger so I figure this can't be that different. It's on my list to accomplish next summer
I really wanted to try paddle boarding when we were in Jamaica. It was included at the Beaches resort, but we just didn't have enough time to do everything. Thanks for the tips, I will definitely use them one day! Paddle boarding is on my bucket list!
We try to take a vacation to the beach every year and I've always seen beachgoers riding their paddleboards like professionals. It looks so fun, but I've always been a little intimidated to give it a try. Your tips are very helpful!
Great tips. We just went to Jamaica nad my husband tried. He got up a few times but said it was harder than he thought it would be. Others seemed to just jump on and be good.
I'm making use of this next time I visit my family in San Diego! I've always been to scared to do it since I didn't know how and my balance is a little iffy
I have never been paddle boarding. I would definitely not know how to do it. These instructions seem very easy to follow. Will you join me in case I need assistance?
This sounds like so much fun! Definitely on my bucket list!
Great tips for stand up paddle boarding! I have done it once, but would love to do it again... I need to go on vacation!
This is a great guide. I still don't think I could ever do this though. I just don't have the balance!
I don't know how to swim, so this would be a lost cause for me. However, it still looks fun, nonetheless!
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.
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.
I am the klutzy person in the world. There is no way I could ever do this without killing myself, lol.