When it comes to enjoying warmer weather, relaxing vibes and enticing adventure - paddleboarding is perhaps one of the most soul-satisfying water sports out there.
But for many beginners, paddleboarding looks far from a relaxing jaunt down the river - balancing, maintaining grip and controlling direction might concern you before delving into this adventurous activity. But we're here to clarify and ease any nerves you might have - as well as ensure that you're taking certain precautions to prevent any potentially dangerous mishaps.
We're going to break down the essentials of paddleboarding - what you need to get started, where to begin paddling, and precise techniques to get you out and about as quickly as possible.
First things first: what you'll need
Prepping your paddleboard:
First, you'll need to choose your paddleboard, often times called a Stand-Up Paddleboard or SUP. Some paddlers will use an epoxy or hard paddle board, or soft top boards which are ready to use from the get-go, requiring little-to-no faff at all. Others, however, for the sake of storage convenience will use inflatable boards and for those - you'll need an ideal paddleboard pump.
Looking at the specific inflatable paddleboard you've bought, you should check and ensure your paddleboard is at the correct internal air pressure to ensure you won't unexpectedly lose your paddleboard at an inconvenient time - most boards lie between the 12-20 PSI level.
Once you're completely certain that your board is ready to hit the water, you'll need to prepare your other equipment to ensure you're ready for whatever's thrown at you, you're set to handle it.
Staying afloat with a buoyancy aid:
One of the most important pieces of equipment you'll need is a buoyancy aid - perfect for keeping you afloat should you injure yourself or if you happen to end up in choppy waters.
Don't be stuck without a paddle:
Your next most important piece of equipment is a paddle - you won't do much paddleboarding without one. Ensure that it's both light enough for you to handle and tough enough to keep you coasting along without a care in the world.
Keep close to your board with a SUP leash:
A SUP leash is particularly important for keeping you near your paddle board without the fear of leaving you stranded down the river, so make sure you have one, and a secure one at that.
Paddle on with a pump:
An ideal hand pump is also incredibly important to have if you're planning on an all-day excursion along the riverbanks or lakes - just something to ensure that your paddleboard has optimum pressure is essential.
Stay safe in the sun:
Last but certainly not least, ensure you've got plenty of suncream - if you're planning for a long day out, exposure to the sun all over your body is a recipe for sunburns and worse - stay protected and skip the pain with a quick and easy application of water-resistant SPF 30+ suncream.
Choosing a place to swim
So you've got your equipment, excellent stuff - but now what? You may be tempted to spring to your nearest river or lake and dive in heedlessly, but that mistake could cost you.
Over the past few years, sewage has increased dramatically in the UK's water - with certain areas being particularly polluted.
Swimming in said water is a quick way to become extremely sick since you're exposed to an excess of harmful bacteria, so not just any rivers or lakes will do.
The Rivers Trust has a handy little map illustrating where sewerage networks have been discharging treated sewage, as well as overflows of untreated sewage - which may sway your decision as to where you should swim this summer.
Checking the weather on the day is also particularly important - strong wind can not only knock your balance, it can also make water considerably more dangerous, so take plenty of caution.
Remember to grab a license before you head out on the waterways, too.
Get paddling - the basics of paddleboarding
Once you've got all of your equipment, a sufficiently large and eager group of friends, and you've plucked up the courage, it's time to start wading into the wonderful waters and experience one of life's greatest thrills, an epic paddleboarding journey.
Carry your paddleboard into the water, until you're practically up to your knees, or deeper. Carefully stretch your leg over the paddleboard with the paddle lying on the paddleboard itself and attempt to sit on the board with your legs on either side or with just your knees resting on the board itself. This is a good time to attach your SUP leash to your leg, you'll thank us later.
Once you feel steady, move to your knees - push yourself off the board and adjust your position and grab your paddle, and away you go.
You can comfortably keep paddling on your knees, but a lot of paddling power comes from your core - which is hard to activate while you're not standing up, so we'd recommend getting up.
Use your hands to balance and, with your feet flat on the board - rise as though you were performing a squat, with knees bent.
With any luck, you haven't fallen in just yet, but if you do - don't worry, it'll happen a lot.
To paddle - grip the top of the paddle with one hand, and another hand to support and drive the paddle itself. The paddle blade should be angled forward - away from you and pointing towards the nose of the board to ensure you're not scooping water, which requires quite a bit more effort.
For a slightly more practical look at some paddleboarding basics - here's an excellent guide for you...
Ryan is a tech writer and reviewer for What's The Best, specialising in PCs and gaming. He is a keen PC gamer and an avid reader.
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