Overview.
Once you have everything that you need to paddle board, the next step is to learn how to do it. Be sure to check out our beginner tips for paddle boarding if you’re just getting started. Here we are going to go over the steps to getting onto the paddle board, standing up, paddling while on the board, and safely getting off.
Getting onto your paddle board.
Before getting onto your paddle board, you need to carry it onto the water.
- First, make sure you have your leash secured around your ankle.
- Stand on the side of the paddle board when it is rested on the ground. Grab the side nearest to you and lift it up away from your body. Lean over and grab the carry handle to lift the board up. Tuck the board up and under your arm so you can carry it on the side of your body.
- Carry the paddle board with you into the water until the tail of the board can float in the water.
Getting onto the paddle board
- Make sure the paddle is in your hands and put both of your hands in front of the handle of the paddle board to support your body weight while you lift your knees to rest on either side of the handle.
- Make sure your knees are centered evenly on both sides of the handle to maintain balance.
- Then push up with your hands and raise your chest to help propel you up resting on your knees.
- Take a few strokes with the paddle to move and test your balance. Once you’re comfortable moving around on your knees, you’re ready to try standing up.
Standing up on the paddle board.
- Put your paddle in front of you and rest both of your hands on the board.
- One at a time replace where your knees are with the corresponding foot while using your hands to help maintain balance.
- Once both feet are in place, evenly centered on both sides of the paddle board handle, then push with your arms and legs while raising your chest to help propel you upwards onto your feet.
- During this, you can use the paddle to help you maintain your balance.
Paddling while on the board.
- Now that you’re finally standing up, make sure you keep your chest up, don’t hunch over, and keep your gaze forwards. If you end up looking down, it’ll make it harder to keep your balance.
- Additionally, bend your knees slightly and engage your core. Avoid standing straight up with your knees fully extended.
- When paddling, have the angle of the paddle facing forward, directly away from your body.
- Aim to start your stroke with the paddle towards the nose of the board and stopping once it reaches your feet.
- Submerge the entire blade when using the paddle.
- Make sure you’re ending your stroke by pushing the water backwards, avoid moving the paddle upwards where you end up splashing the water out. This is a waste of energy, pushing the water backwards will propel you further.
- When trying to turn one direction or the other, paddle a bit to the side of the paddle. This will help you turn.
Getting off the board.
- Getting off the board is simply the same process as it was to get on but in reverse.
- Start by making sure you are in a comfortable position, no longer moving, and are in the right depth of water to dismount.
- Hold the paddle in your hands, lean forward and put your hands on the board to hold your body in place.
- Bend your knees down and replace them with where each of your feet were.
- Once comfortably on your knees, you can slide onto your butt or lean forward onto your stomach to eventually slide off into the water.
- Go slowly and take your time. Before dismounting, make sure your leash is still attached in case the board moves from under you when you get off.
- Once you’ve dismounted, guide the paddle board towards the shore.
- Make sure the board is on your side, tilt it up and away from you, and grab the handle.
- Pick up the board so you can carry it underneath your arm and walk onto the shore.
Final thoughts.
And there you have it! Now you know how to paddle board. Within no time, these steps will become muscle memory and you won’t need to read this over again. Have patience while you’re starting out and make sure to stay safe while doing so. Below is a great video to watch on the process. Note even though the individual in the video doesn’t have a personal flotation device (“PFD”) on in the video, as a beginner, make sure to have yours on before starting out.
Now that you know how to paddle board, learn more about the history of paddle boarding, why you should paddle board, and where are the best locations to paddle board.
