How to get on a paddle surf board?

Balance on paddle surf boards is something that improves over time. Practice will give you everything you need to know to make this sport more and more stimulating, so to help you keep improving, in this post we are going to give you some tips on how to get on a paddle surf board, how to stand up and how to get back on after a fall.

How to get on a paddle surf board

Paddle surfing requires a combination of technique and balance, skills that improve as you gain experience. The first few times are always more complicated, but it is a sport in which it is easy and quick to overcome the learning phase.

One of the first steps you will have to internalize is how to get on a paddle surf board, something that, as you will see, only requires following a few guidelines. First, enter the water with your board, holding the "tail" to prevent the keels from hitting the bottom. When the water reaches your knees, leave the board in the water and get ready to get on.

Next, first place one knee on the EVA rubber zone and then, leaning on it, bring the other one up. You can propel yourself with the second leg before bringing it up to make it easier to start sailing.

Once you are kneeling on the board, you can either sit on your legs or adopt a more upright position. The former will give you more stability, while the latter is considered the step prior to standing on the board.

The reason why we first climb kneeling on the board is for comfort and safety. Comfortable because it is easier to climb on your knees than directly standing up, and safe because being in a shallow area, in case of a fall while standing you can get hurt.

The most advisable is to paddle to an area with a depth of 1 meter before moving to stand up on the board. If you want to learn more about how to paddle surf, here you will find a complete guide with all kinds of tips to improve your technique.

How to stand up on a paddle surfboard

The next natural step in paddle surfing is to stand up on the SUP. In fact, it is a sport that is practiced standing up, although nothing prevents you from enjoying it on your knees.

These are the steps to follow to stand up on a paddle surf board:

1. Place the paddle horizontally on the board and hold it while using your hands as a fulcrum.
2. Lift your knees by resting on the tips of your toes.
3. Place one of your feet where your knee used to be, leaving the handle in the center. Repeat the same movement with the other foot, leaving both feet parallel.
4. Sit up. Do this in a calm, but confident movement, raising your chest until you are fully upright.
5. Leave your knees slightly bent and fix your gaze on the horizon to keep your balance.
6. Submerge the paddle in the water and start paddling, this will serve as a fulcrum and help you maintain stability.

A practical tip for learning how to get on a paddle surf board is to place the SUP against the waves. This way, you will reduce the movements the paddle board makes, providing more balance so you can get on or stand up more easily.

What position to occupy in the table

Neutral posture is defined as the position generally occupied on the paddle surf board. This position is in the center of the board, on the EVA rubber area. The central handle of the SUP will be your reference point to know how to position yourself on the paddle surfboard at all times.

With this position, you will have balance and control over the paddling movements of the board. You can also alter the way the paddle board behaves. For example, if you back your position towards the tail, you will increase the turning ability of the board on each paddle, but it will also be more difficult to maintain a steady course. If you move forward (towards the nose), maneuverability is reduced, but it is easier to stay on course.

Altering the position on the paddle surf board is something that is only recommended if you have enough experience. As a general rule, the neutral position is the most effective, as it provides stability and maneuverability, two qualities that are essential when paddle surfing.

How to put your feet on the paddle surfboard

The position of the feet is also key in paddle surfing. Neither too far apart, nor too close together. Nor too far back or forward with respect to the neutral posture that we talked about in the previous section. In paddle surfing everything is a matter of balance, to find that position in which we are more comfortable when paddling.

To figure out how to place your feet on the paddle surfboard, take the center handle as a reference point. Place your feet on each side, facing forward in a position that is comfortable for you. The separation between your feet will be similar to that of your shoulders. Keep in mind that the HUIIKE paddle surfboards measurements offer a wide range where to place your feet thanks to its width of 84 cm.

When you master the navigation in the neutral position, you can try to place one foot more forward than the other, always leaving the handle of the board in the middle. This is a posture that is adopted, above all, in competition, where the objective is to have the greatest strength and frequency in the paddles to increase the speed of navigation; and in SUP Surf, where we need greater control over the board to ride the waves.

How to maintain balance in paddle surfing

Mastering the art of balance in paddle surfing is something that will not take you too long. It is a matter of practice, adopting a correct position on the board, and accepting that the first few times Stand-Up Paddle Surfing you are going to fall on more than one occasion. This is a common process for anyone who is starting in this sport.

But, even though you will have to practice not to fall off the board, there are some useful tricks you can use to keep your balance on the paddle surf:

• Look ahead: look for a reference point (the horizon, for example) and fix your eyes on it. This will give you greater stability by focusing your attention on a distant point, reducing involuntary movements that can alter your balance.
• Knees semi-flexed: when you are on the board, keep your knees slightly bent. This decreases the stiffness in your legs and allows the movements of the board to be better absorbed by your body. In addition, bending both your knees and torso will help you turn the board without losing stability.
• Relaxed posture: the best way to maintain balance in paddle surfing is through neutral posture. However, it is advisable to reduce tension in the body so as not to lose balance. If you are relaxed, your paddling or turning movements will be more natural and you will also reduce the vibrations you transmit to the board.
• Rowing in the water: if you submerge the paddle blade in the water once you stand up, it will become a fulcrum that you can use to better maintain your balance. If, in addition, you start rowing once you stand up, the movement will also give you a little more stability.

How to get back on after a fall

To get back on the paddle surf board after a fall you must follow some steps that will make the operation easier:

1. Stand to the side of the board and place the paddle on it.
2. Hold the opposite side with one hand and the handle with the other. You can also grab the other side of the board with both hands.
3. Using your legs to gain momentum, pull your body with your arms to lift your torso onto the board.
4. Turn your torso towards the nose of the board and bring your legs up. At this point, you are already on board, so you must go through the whole process again to stand up.

Before a fall in paddle surfing, it is advisable to take into account some aspects. Stay calm at all times and remember that you are using the leash, so you will not lose the board and could be adrift.

In addition, the first step is always to retrieve the paddle if you have dropped it in the fall. Keep in mind that it is a paddle with an aluminum structure whose buoyancy is about 10 seconds, plenty of time to grab it again. Retrieve it and get ready to get on the board again.

And remember that the most important thing in paddle surfing is to enjoy the experience. Don't get frustrated and practice as many times as you need. You will see that it is simple and that the concepts are internalized quickly.

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Life is a journey to be experienced!