Paddleboarding for Beginners: A Simple Guide to Paddleboarding or SUP
Paddleboarding 101: How to get started with Paddleboarding
Being able to go on the water and experience the uninterrupted freedom of going wherever you like is a joy and privilege that few can experience.
One such experience that has become a growing trend and will certainly be a feature amongst future Summer plans is Paddleboarding, or stand-up paddleboard (SUP).
For many Paddleboarding is an affordable way to go out and enjoy rivers or the sea with the added convenience of being able to deflate the board, making it a portable and easy hobby to jump right into.
As a growing trend in both the competitive nature and social paddling alike, paddleboarding has started to take off in the UK, but what are the important things to know before getting started?
Paddleboarding is a fun and safe way to be out on the water, though certain things need to be understood before buying a board and jumping out onto the water.
A key understanding of the tides and how to balance on the board are a sensible place to start.
First things First: Balancing on the Paddleboard
It’s common for beginners to start on sat down on the board before moving to kneeling, and then standing up.
It’s easier to start lower down based on how high the centre of gravity is and how high up the weight is on the board. Getting used to where the equilibrium point is before taking off downstream is very important. Practice on still water first, or in an area with a weak current a minimal traffic.
You will get the hang of it in no time but getting the feel of the board is crucial as a beginner.
Crucial Knowledge: Tides and Paddleboarding
Tides are hugely important when paddleboarding, due to the boards not being quick, a strong tide will bring any progress to a grinding halt. Getting the tides right is imperative in any water-based activity for both ease and the safety of those involved.
When on a beach it’s running the risk of riptides that have the ability to pull slower vessels and swimmer out to sea.
While on the rivers it’s the tidal impacts that have the ability to take boards one way and potentially not return them for hours at a time.
Spring tides can be particularly dangerous (Spring tides is when the high tides are extremely high and the low tides are very low but the water move at a much faster rate between these two points).
Safety is a major concern for those looking to get out on the water. Remember to be sensible when assessing tides and not being too ambitious.
Paddling up-tide is a good way to stay safe, in the event that you become too tired or face an unexpected injury it can be a lifesaver to have the tide carry you back to where you started.
Weather conditions and how they affect the Paddleboard
Checking the weather and wind can prove vital before venturing on any trip. This can be the difference between going out in the rough wind and falling off the board or deciding to call it a day and stay home.
The general rule is if you decide if it’s too rough to go out… It’s too rough to go out.
Paddleboards are extremely susceptible to the wind. This is a major point worth remembering should anything go wrong, the board will be carried by the wind much faster than the paddler will.
Price
Price is often a major factor when choosing to become involved in a hobby or not and Paddleboarding is an extremely cost-efficient way of being able to get out on the water.
However, an extremely and unfortunate common practice is for some individuals to price gouge boards.
This practice is when one buys a paddleboard for the RRP then sell it on for more money than they paid for it. It’s extremely common across 2nd hand selling pages.
Buying a new board is the best way to guarantee safety. Most boards fold away and deflate and will usually come with a paddle that breaks down for ease of storage as well.
Paddleboard Renting Sites Across The Country
If you’re unsure of whether this is for you or not and don’t want to feel pressured into buying immediately, rent one.
Across any body of water comes the ability to rent a paddleboard for an hour or a day and this can provide valuable insight to see if paddleboarding is something you’d like to pursue or not. Many rental centres are well-equipped to help new paddlers gain a feel and show them the ropes.
Why Should You Get Involved in Paddleboarding?
Speaking to two long-time paddleboard enthusiasts based on the South Coast about their paddleboarding stories and how they got involved with the sport and way of life will help give you an insight.
Mark Cullen and Beth Pullen
Mark became involved in the sport when he was young;
“From an early age I was introduced to canoeing and sailing. I guess it’s stuck with me. I can think of no better place to be than on my own on the water”.
After getting involved with the sport Beth started up a community group aimed at getting others on the water across the southern-based River Hamble,
“ I saw someone doing it while I was going for a walk and it looked so peaceful and at the time mentally I felt so unpeaceful, I wanted it, I didn't know who to do it with or how I felt anxious trying a new sport and always had a fear of water so I set up the online group to see if anyone would go with me”.
The phenomenon of paddleboarding is only just beginning across the UK. A gathering of individuals enjoying what the water has to offer in all its glory in a safe and enjoyable manner. Paddleboarding can prove the perfect accompaniment for the family staycation this summer.
