Tips for Beginning Paddle Boarders

A graduate of the University of South Carolina, Caleb Fort serves as president of QMX Mobile Health in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. In his spare moments, Caleb Fort enjoys spending time on the water, where he paddle boards.

One style of this sport is stand-up paddle boarding (SUP), which gives participants a full-body workout. Before attempting SUP for the first time, there are some tips to keep in mind.

* Renting vs. borrowing gear. There’s no need for beginners to go out and buy expensive gear right away, especially if they don’t know if they will enjoy the sport. The board choice depends on the paddler’s weight and skill level as well as the local water conditions. The paddle resembles a canoe paddle, and beginners need one that reaches up to their wrist when they stand on the paddle and put their arms above their head. They should also wear a personal floatation device (PFD), although it’s not required.

* Standing up on the board. Beginners should stand next to the board in shallow water and hold on to the sides of the board. They should work their way onto the center of the board into a kneeling position, then slowly stand up, maintaining balance while doing so.

* Holding the SUP paddle. Paddlers should angle the blade away from them and toward the board’s nose. When paddling on the right side, the left hand should be on the T-grip, while the right hand should be on the shaft just a few feet down.