How to Avoid the Most Common Stand-Up Paddleboarding Mistakes for Beginners

Any new hobby might be a little difficult to start at first and even overwhelming at times.  Most people hesitate to begin new activities because they are afraid of what they might not know. The real sadness is that a lot of individuals are kept out of the picture by the if factor.  You've come to the correct place if you're considering getting an inflatable stand up paddle board but are worried about the if factor. Here are the most common mistakes made by SUP beginners and tips for avoiding them.

Sizing: Purchasing a board that is too small for their ability level is the second error that a lot of beginner stand-up paddle boarders make.  When purchasing SUP, bear in mind that a larger board will make it simpler for you to balance on.  This is because the board's surface area will aid in shifting a greater volume of water beneath you, increasing the board's sense of stability. 

When they first start using a SUP, many beginners give up since even getting up on it can be very difficult. You can be sure that learning how to go from standing to kneeling to sitting on your board without falling into the water will be simpler if you choose a larger and broader SUP. Your confidence will rise as a result, and you'll be out on the water more, which will improve your ability.

Paddle Blade Direction:  Making sure you are holding the paddle correctly is one of the first things to do when you are stepping on your SUP for the first time.  The design of SUP paddles allows you to dive into the water with the most effective stroke every time. Start by examining the paddle's blade. When your paddle is in the water at the end of your stroke, you'll see that its blade is curled to provide an effective stroke.  It is important to check that the blade's inside curve is pointing in the direction you want to go. 

Dragging the Board: Dragging their SUP in the water is a major mistake that a lot of beginners do. SUPs are made to withstand the continual abrasiveness of rock sand and even dry grass, despite their lengthy lifespan and durability. You run the danger of making holes in your SUP by pulling it into the water, which would drastically reduce its lifespan. 

Grasp the handle in the center of the deck and hold your SUP under your armpit to carry it to the water. If doing this seems awkward for you or if your arms are just too short to reach the carrying handle. Obtain assistance from a friend to carry your board to the water. That's how you prolong your life.

Dismounting/ Mounting the Board: Although it may appear simple, getting on and off a SUP can be difficult for many novices.  Even though you've probably seen plenty of skilled riders hop on the board with ease, their balance has been refined to the point that it feels as natural to them as sitting in a chair. 

Placing your SUP in a shallow section of the water where you can stand close to it is the best method to get on it from the shore.  After that, position your chest in the center of the board and feel where your weight is pressing against the nose and tail of the board.  You should maintain your board level with the water and distribute your weight equally. After you've achieved this, straddle the board by swinging one of your legs over the top. Just shift your weight till the board is level in the water. Your SUP has been installed successfully. From there, you can attempt a kneeling position or a gradual stand-up. 

Dismounting: It's far simpler to dismount your SUP than it is to mount one. The most important thing to keep in mind is that you should take off from the sides of your board instead of the front or rear. Making sure there are no obstacles for you to fall on when getting off the SUP is the most crucial aspect of dismounting the board. 

But what happens if we fall off your SUP somewhere you can't reach the bottom? The first thing to do if you find yourself in water where you can touch the bottom is to attempt to remain composed. When you unexpectedly find yourself in the water, we understand how easy it is to go into flight mode. However, try to maintain composure and move to the tail of your SUP. After that, grasp the board's side rails and lower the tail into the water.  Then, as though you were scaling a ladder, pull yourself up onto your board.  Ascending patiently will allow you to reach the top of your board again in

Paddling Technique: Many beginners paddle wrongly, which causes them to exhaust too early. Even if using a paddle rather than just your arms gives you a slight technical edge, in the long run, wasting potential energy by using your arms alone will bite you in the ass. 

When you dip your paddle into the water, lean forward toward the nose of the board, using your full body to maximize each stroke. This is how to paddle correctly. You can bend your arms to continue paddle strokes and remove the blade with water when your paddle approaches the tail. 

Eye Focus Points:  When they first start out, a lot of beginners wind up swimming accidentally because they fix their attention on the board instead of where they want to go.  It's difficult since your body has been trained to focus on areas that make you feel uneasy or unsettled. 

Make sure to glance at the horizon line in order to counter this emotion. The horizon will provide your eyes with a steady point of focus because it won't charge.  At first, it will seem weird because you want to shift your attention back to your board, but with some experience, looking forward rather than down will make you feel a lot better.  It's similar to your first time riding a bike.