EQUIPMENT OVERVIEW

BOARDS –Determined by intended use as well as size and physical ability of the paddler. Numerous options to choose ranging from: recreational, fitness, flat-water, surfing, whitewater or racing. Important Stand Up Paddle Boarding terms to learn are: SUP Stand Up Paddlebording , Nose or Bow of the board which is the tip furthest away from the fins, Tail or stern of the board; fins, anywhere from one to four fins typically on a paddle board determined by intended use; rails or sides of the boards; rocker which refers to the bottom curve of the board; and volume or the ability of the board to displace the water beneath it.

PADDLE – Paddles originally were made of wood, and, while beautiful, are much heavier than modern composite materials such as carbon fiber. Most leisure oriented paddles are adjustable for height and are made of aluminum which can be cold and heavy. The parts of the paddle are the grip, shaft and blade. The blade has two sides, the power-face side and the non-power side or back. Ten to twelve degrees of blade angle off the shaft is typical and is necessary to keep the blade vertical during the most powerful phase of the stroke.

Proper sizing of the overall length of the paddle is important to maintain a comfortable and powerful body position during the stroke. Hand and arm measurement can be accomplished by reaching one arm over head and measuring to the base of the wrist, or eight to ten inches over the paddler height. A good rule of thumb for selecting the proper paddle size is intended use – shorter for surfing and longer for racing. The blade size is also important as a smaller blade width, usually seven to eight inches, is preferred for a quicker stroke, and a nine inch plus blade is used for racing and larger individuals.

LEASH

A Paddle board equals a flotation device! Not just for easy retrieval in the event of a fall, a leash tethers the paddler to the board and can be used as a flotation device. However, it should be noted that as of October 3, 2008, the US Coast Guard now classifies Stand Up Paddleboards as vessels and as a result Stand Up Paddle Board riders are obliged to have a PFD or personal flotation device with them when paddling in certain areas, but not required to wear them. There are two types of leashes: straight used for surfing; and coiled used for racing -- the coiled leashes stay primarily on the tail of the board and causes less drag.

Safety note: In an emergency, Always stay with your board! Never leave your board in open water. Always stay with your flotation. If in trouble use a “distress signal” by raising and lowering your outstretched arms repeatedly. If necessary assume the “safe position”. Drop to your knees with your paddle between your knees and elbows down. If you lose your paddle assume the prone position and use your arms to prone surf to recover.

PRERQUISITES

Swimming ability is not required, but recommended, as this class is on the water. This class is great for all ages. The workout that you will get by Stand Up Paddling is based directly on the amount of energy that you put into. You can easily paddle around without exerting yourself or you can pull on the paddle and get a great workout.

WHAT TO EXPECT

This class is designed to expose you to a new sport and teach you the proper technique to excel in Stand Up Paddling, (SUP). Your instructor will teach you about the design/shape of a Stand Up Paddleboard board and how this affects performance and stability. They will go over stretches for paddling, safety considerations, self rescue techniques, proper technique to stand on your board, and paddling technique. You will be up and paddling around the lake during this class. Your instructor will continue to give you pointers as you paddle and turn your board. At the completion of this course, you will have the knowledge and skill to be a Stand Up Paddler.

HOW TO STAND UP PADDLE BOARD

Stand Up Paddle Surfing isn’t that hard to learn and unlike normal surfing you can learn to do it on almost any body of water. To start with you will find standing up on the board and paddling will be the trickiest part. If you already surf then the wave riding part should be pretty familiar, except that you will be riding for longer and more often!

In this section we will provide a few key pointers. The best thing about sports such as Stand Up Paddle Surfing is that you can build your own style and techniques. These pointers are just the basics to which you can add your own style and flair too. Check out the video at the end of the page too…

WHEN FIRST YOU BUY A BOARD, KEEP IT SIMPLE.

Shopping for a brand new board or accessory for your Stand Up Paddle Boarding needs can be quite a daunting task, especially when shopping online. There’s dozens of configurations as far as fins, boards, paddles, deck pads and leashes. So let’s take a quick look at some options that will get you out on the water with the most amount of fun.

When buying your board it is important to consider where you're going to be paddle surfing the most in order to determine a good weight for a board -- windy conditions might dictate a heavier board, but in California, for example, the trend is to go light. Look at the length of your paddleboard. Like regular surfboards, they come in lengths from nine to fifteen feet. Longer, wider, thicker boards provide more stability and are best for learning and for larger individuals -- twelve-foot boards are most common for many beginners.

Pay attention to the width of your board, planning on at least 26 inches. Although people pay attention to length, many stand up paddle surfers believe the width is more important.

Adjust the thickness of your Stand Up Paddleboard based on your weight and the weight of the board. The lighter boards typically give you more float. Some boards feature thickness that tapers off.

Note that some stand up paddleboards come with a flat bottom; others features a bit of a curve. This is referred to as board “rocker”. It's all based on personal preferences, but it helps if you can try out the paddle surfboards of friends and acquaintances before you buy your own.

Examine the tail and nose of your board. A flatter nose may give you a little more glide. The tail of your board affects your turns.

Stand Up Paddleboarding FAQs

Q: Do I need waves in order to paddleboard?

A: Even though paddleboards look like oversized surfboards, you don't need waves in order to enjoy this self-propelled sport. In fact, flat water is preferred for building your paddleboard skills.

Q: Where can I rent a board?

A: Most surf shops that sell paddleboards also rent them. It's a great way to test out the sport before you commit to buying.

Q: What size paddleboard is best for me?

A: The choice is determined by a combination of paddler weight and skill, your intended use and the local conditions. Talk to Mike Vaughan for help with choosing the right paddleboard for you.

Q: Why does the paddle have an angle?

A: The elbow in a paddle provides a more powerful, effective stroke. When you're paddling, the elbow causes the paddle blade to align straight up and down as it comes alongside the paddleboard.

Q: What should I wear for paddleboarding?

A: Wear clothing that lets you move and that can get wet: shorts and a T-shirt or a swimsuit work well in warm climates. In cold weather when hypothermia is a danger, consider a wetsuit or drysuit. Always wear a PFD (Personal Flotation Device).

Q: Do I need to wax the top of the paddleboard?

A: Most paddleboards we sell have a traction pad attached to the top of the board. These provide reliable grip and should not be waxed. If you choose a paddleboard that doesn't have such a pad or soft-top, you'll need to use a base wax and a grip wax (such as Sticky Bumps) to provide traction.

Q: How do I transport the board on my car?

A: You can transport your paddleboard on the roof rack of a car. It's best to use a bar pad on the rack in order to protect the board. Be sure to stack the board on the roof with the fin up, towards the front. Use surf-specific straps that won't crush the foam on the board when you strap it down.

Watch the Expert Advice video for tips on transporting watercraft.

Q: Can the fins on a paddleboard be removed?

A: The fins on underside of the board help with navigating through the water. They can be removed for travel and storage, but you won't want to paddle without them.

Q: Where is the best place to stand on a paddleboard?

A: Stand just behind the center point of the board. The nose (front) of the board shouldn't pop out of the water, and the tail shouldn't dig in.

Q: Can I take a paddleboard in rivers?

A: Yes, you can paddleboard almost any navigable body of water.

Q: Why not just use a kayak?

A: Kayaking is great fun, but the beauty of Stand Up Paddleboarding is that standing up allows you to enjoy much better views, both to the horizon and down into the water. It's a simpler sport to pursue than kayaking, with less equipment required. It also offers a fantastic core workout.

Q: Can you surf with a paddleboard?

A: Yes, but learn to surf in an empty break before you enter the lineup. When you get good, remember to share the waves!

Q: What does a full paddleboarding setup cost?

A: Depending on which models you choose, the cost of a board and paddle ranges from about $1,100 to $2,100. Take a look at REI's online selection of paddleboard gear