If you are new to paddle boarding getting up and balanced on your paddle board is the first step. For some this comes easily for others it takes a little more time. The key is to relax and here are some tips and exercises that will teach you how to balance on your inflatable stand up paddle board.
Bend in your Knees
The first thing you can do after standing up is a few squats. Hold your paddle out horizontally in front of you and bend your knees keeping your center of gravity over your feet. Squatting down helps to lower your center of gravity and bending our knees and relaxing our joints helps our body absorb movement from our board. Do 3-5 squats before moving on to the next exercise. If you find this challenging you may also want to look at Great SUP Exercises To Get Ready For any Adventure
Rotate your Body / Torso
Next while still holding your paddle horizontally in front of you and without moving your feet, rotate your body to the right, hold for 5 seconds and then rotate to the left and hold for 5 seconds. Body rotation will be used in many paddle strokes and helps to engage our core rather than using our arms. Do 3-5 on each side before moving on.
Bend in Your Knees & Rotate
Now combine the above exercises. Squat down and rotate to the right, hold for 5 seconds and while staying in your squat position rotate to the left and hold for 5 seconds. This is the movement you will use for many of your turn strokes, such as the Sweep Stroke and the Cross Draw.
Move Your Feet
From a standing but relaxed position start moving your feet. Moving one foot at a time, start by leaving the weight on you heel and move the ball of your foot left and right while pivoting on your heel. Next leave the weight on the ball of your foot and move your heel left and right. Do this with both feet. Moving your feet around will prevent foot cramping and gets us ready for changing of foot positions on the board.
Motion = Stability
Much like a bicycle in motion is more stable so too is a paddle board. So take your
Carbon Fiber Paddle and get moving.
You should now be feeling a lot more confident on your Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board and have started developing the body motions that will translate into effective paddle strokes. Just remember it’s OK to fall in. It’s a water sport and if you aren’t falling in you aren’t trying hard enough. Get wet!! Have fun!! It builds confidence and if you are still finding it a challenge maybe look at getting a more
Stable Inflatable Paddle Board
