There you are, out of the crystal clear water, perfect temperature, not a cloud in the sky. You are gracefully gliding across the water and the feeling of euphoria sweeps over you. Nothing can stop you!
And then... out of nowhere, you are plunged in the water. Soaked. Feelings of Euphoria evaporated.
Getting the hang of stand up paddle boarding takes some serious determination, some decent balance, and a love of water. Because odds are when first starting out you will find yourself in it. However, like with most things...practice makes perfect and once you start to get the hang of it, it is truly a magical, peaceful experience.
So! Here are our teams helpful hits to spending more time out of the water than in it when stand-up paddling boarding!
- Calm Water
The first time I ever tried stand-up paddle boarding was on a windy day off the coast of Laguna. Big mistake. The Pacific Ocean is glorious, but unforgiving at times. The waves were intense and just getting out past the break was an ordeal in and of itself. Every time I thought I made it and could take a deep breath (or actually attempt to stay on my board for more than 5 seconds) another set of waves would pile in and I would be back where I started. So first tip... START ON CALM WATER. Go to a lake away from all boats or even a cove if you are near the ocean. This will help build your confidence and definitely help with the balance.
- Stay Low
There is no shame in the sitting game. To get your bearings start sitting and getting use to the stability of the board and the paddle. If that feels easy peezy then move to kneeling. Once you have that down then start to stand up. Be sure to keep you feet shoulder width apart with a slight bend in your knees. While it might resemble a surf board, you aren't surfing so keep both feet facing forward!
Once you become completely addicted to the freedom, workout, and zen that comes with stand up paddle boarding, you will need to get a board of your own. While renting one is nice for the first few times, having a decent board makes a major difference in your stability, speed, and overall enjoyment.
I have the 11'6" Hippocamp Inflatable Board and it is a game changer! The best part is that you don't need crazy roof racks or a giant truck to tow it around. It's super easy to inflate and deflate and very compact. The whole package comes with an awesome carrier, two paddles, a pump, waterproof cellphone case and way more little treats! I take mine on every beach, lake, river trip we go on and every time it is used. Either by me, my husband, or the nice onlookers who have always wanted to give stand-up paddle boarding a go!