How To Standup Paddleboarding In The Ocean
Stand-up paddleboarding is a pleasant activity that may be done in lakes, rivers, bays, and oceans. It's a beautiful full-body core workout and a beautiful way to enjoy the outdoors. Best of all, it's appropriate for people of all ages, body types, and ability levels. There's even enough area on many paddleboards to paddle with a dog, buddy, child, or significant other. Paddleboarding has grown in popularity over the years since it allows you to explore the water freely on your own or with friends.
Before engaging in paddleboarding for the first time, there are a few things you should know about the basics, methods, and valuable recommendations. Here is a breakdown of everything you need to know.
Your first time on the board
Standing up on the paddleboard might be difficult at first and can even be annoying. Simply relax and keep in mind that it’s all to have fun. Begin by getting on the board, and then gently rise up. You must now maintain yourself and keep the board balanced, or you will fall off. Remember that you will fall off a lot at first, but it will all be worth it in the end.
For your first time on the board, it can be good to seek out a protected bay or hidden cove where there won’t be too many waves or boats around.
Ensure you get the right paddleboard
Many people who love paddling on the ocean love inflatable paddleboards, and for a good reason, too. The right paddleboard will be durable and rigid, which will help you get over the break and handle any weather changes while you're out.
Paddleboards from SurfStar come equipped with everything you’ll need for your first time paddleboarding and to continue improving on the SUP. This includes a high-quality board with a paddle, an ankle leash for safety, and even a waterproof bag to keep your gear in when you’re on the water.
Prepare for wind, waves, and undercurrent
If you’ve previously paddleboarded on a lake, you’ll need to prepare for the differences that waves and a strong undercurrent can bring to paddleboarding on the ocean. The undercurrent can wash you out to sea if you aren’t careful, so try to stay on your board and with strong control over your paddleboard as much as possible.
When you’re first beginning to paddle in the ocean, avoid going out on days that are extremely windy or have large waves. Take the opportunity to paddle on relatively flat water and get used to being able to balance on your paddleboard. Perfecting the fundamentals as a beginner will make improvement as a SUPer easier.
Make sure you're ready for changes.
Even a tiny amount of wind can make a big difference when paddling on the ocean. Prepare for anything that might happen. Make sure you have a flotation life vest and a windbreaker with you, as well as extra water and snacks and a way to get in touch with people on the shore. These will make sure that you can handle anything that might happen. Before you go out paddleboarding be sure that a friend or family member knows where you’re going just in case, and when possible bring a friend with you!
It's also essential to learn about the beach where you are paddling. Make sure you take note of several places where you can get in and out of the water if you can't get back to where you put your board in the water. If the weather gets nasty or you need to get back to shore quickly for any reason, it will be crucial to know where you can safely get back on dry land.
Find the best place to start
Put your board in the water somewhere that isn't near swimmers, surfers, or other things that could hurt you. As a beginner, it’s hard to control the board, and you wouldn’t want your board to get away from you and hit someone. Also, you might get in the way of a surfer's ride, which is lousy beach etiquette and won't make you any friends with the people who live there.
Do not put it near piers, rocks, or boats. You wouldn’t want to fall and hit something hard or sharp, and you don't want to hit your board against any of these things, either!
Make use of your safety leash
Many unsafe paddlers do not utilize the leash that is included with the board, however, a leash is a must-have to ensure your safety on the water. If you fall off your surfboard in the water, the tide can sweep it away faster than you know what happened, leaving you stranded and your board out of control.
Not only will your leash help you stay safe, but it will also help you keep control of your board when you become more proficient and begin paddleboarding around other people. Having the safety leash on means you’ll be able to easily reign in your board if it begins to float away from you.
Get over the stumbling block
The break is where the waves go through a cycle of ebb and crest. The wave's crest rolls over and crashes against the beach when it is large enough to generate white caps. You'll need to go over this point if you want to paddle effectively in the water.
This can be accomplished in a number of ways. You may get on your board by wading into waist-deep water and waiting for the waves to calm down before getting on. If you pay attention, you can learn to recognize these pauses. Passing the break while sitting or kneeling on your board will give you more power, so do this if possible.
Consider taking a break just like a surfer would. Your hands should be used to help you swim your board through the break. This may be more difficult on a paddleboard at first, but you can lay on top of your paddle or hold it under your arm to make sure you can quickly gain control of it when you get past the break and into deeper water.
In conclusion
The moment you step foot onto the water there are endless SUP adventures available to you. Take note of what other people around you are doing and keep a close eye on the weather. As a general rule, it’s best to get out of the water when you see others doing so. This is often because these people are more experienced with the ocean in this area and know to be wary of the weather at certain times. Take the proper safety precautions, and paddleboarding in the ocean can be a fun and relaxing experience!
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