Beginner Mistakes to Avoid When Stand Up Paddleboarding
Many people enjoy stand up paddleboarding and often find getting the hang of it somewhat intuitive. Although it can take a few trips before you become an expert, it is straightforward enough that most people enjoy it on their first trip as well.
But there are still a few beginner mistakes to be aware of that can make getting the hang of paddleboarding harder. When you know these and can avoid them, you will be far more likely to stay balanced and enjoy SUP your first time out.
What Not to Do When Stand Up Paddleboarding
At SUP Tahoe, we have previously gone over the basics for getting started with paddleboarding. these are some of the common mistakes you will want to avoid as you head out, but that may not be obvious to first time paddleboarders:
Holding the Paddle the Wrong Way - The blade of the paddle angles in one direction. As you hold your paddle in front of you, the bottom of the blade should angle away from you. This will give you the propulsion you need to move the board smoothly forward.
Having Your Hands Too Close Together - One hand will go at the top of the paddle on the T-bar and the placement of your bottom hand is what will allow you to lever the paddle through the water. Your bottom hand needs to be far enough away to get the necessary strength. You can try adjusting your bottom hand position until you find one that gives you the most amount of power in each stroke.
Putting the Paddle Deep Enough - To get power in your stroke, you want the blade of the paddle to be almost completely submerged in the water. Hold the pedal almost completely straight up and pull it back until it is level with your legs and then start a new stroke for the most efficient paddling.
Looking at Your Feet - There is some balancing involved on a paddleboard, but it is hard to balance, especially when standing up. Do not look at your feet. Instead, look straight ahead while standing up to stay balanced.
Falling Onto the Board - When you feel yourself losing balance, you want to fall to the side and into the water since landing on the hard board can cause injury.
Going Out in the Wrong Conditions - Avoid going out when the water is rough, storms are approaching, or conditions are otherwise unsuitable. This could make it hard to paddle and lead to injury.
Not Using the Right Equipment - When you go out on a SUP, wear your personal flotation device and always have the SUP leash around your ankle. These are the two pieces of equipment that will keep you safe and afloat despite any potential dunking.
When you know the basics of SUP and avoid these mistakes, you are sure to have a safe and enjoyable day stand up paddleboarding in South Lake Tahoe. To try SUP in Lake Tahoe, you can rent a stand up paddleboard at SUP Tahoe at affordable rates. Reserve your SUP online.
