Not to be worried, stand up paddle boarding is an incredibly easy water sport to learn, and you can become an expert paddle boarder in no time. People of all ages and fitness levels are capable of learning to paddle board in just a few hours with proper instruction.
What are 3 important paddle boarding tips?
Staying Balanced on a SUP
- Position your feet so they are parallel, about hip-width distance apart, and centered between the edges of the board.
- Keep your toes pointed forward, knees slightly bent and your back straight.
- Keep your head and shoulders steady and upright, and shift your weight by moving your hips.
Is SUP harder than surfing?
Most surfers agree surf SUP is easier than surfing. It has a much tamer learning curve and generally has you standing and riding waves a lot sooner than on a surfboard. Once you’re able to catch and follow small waves, however, the challenges of SUP will get closer to those of regular surfing.
What PSI should my SUP be?
The best inflatable stand-up paddle board PSI level is anywhere from 10 to 15. Most people inflate their board to about 10 to 12 PSI. A higher PSI will help if you are riding in cold or choppy water. If you need a bit more stability, try increasing the PSI of your board as well.
Is SUP boarding hard? – Related Questions
Should I deflate my SUP after each use?
Over Expansion in Paddle Boards
There is no rule saying you can’t leave your paddle board inflated; however, we strongly recommend that if you’re leaving your paddle board in storage for long periods of time, you should deflate it to keep it in its best possible condition.
Can I leave my SUP board inflated?
Many people ask whether they can leave their board inflated instead of deflating it after each use. The answer is yes you can BUT please store it away from the elements, in a cool area out of direct sunlight and ideally off the ground.
How do I know if my SUP is inflated enough?
Pump, pump, pump and you’ll see the gauge needle dance around a bit. Once you reach 12-15psi, the needle will hold it’s position a little better, however, the gauge will only read while you are pumping and the air is being pushed into the board.
How do I know if my paddle board is fully inflated?
Keep pumping. The pump gauge on a hand pump often wont show any pressure until 7+ PSI (pounds per square inch). You need to keep pumping until the pressure is at least 12 PSI, ideally you would keep inflating until your SUP reaches 15 PSI (or 1 bar).
What wind is too strong for SUP?
When Is It Too Windy to SUP? Most paddling safety experts recommend staying off the water in winds above 15 mph, or 10-12 mph if you’re a beginner. Winds below 10 mph are more like breezes, and not much to worry about.
What wind speed is OK for SUP?
The strength of the wind has a big impact on stand up paddling so as a ‘rule of thumb’: Less than 15 knots (less than 27km/h) is ideal flat water conditions. At 15 knots small waves and whitecaps start to form. At 20-25 knots (37-46km/h), more experienced paddlers may want to use the wind to surf downwind.
Can you SUP in choppy water?
SUPs with a flat rocker are not maneuverable in choppy water and are only good in flat lakes without wind or wake. It really limits usability. Unless you plan on paddling in a swimming pool you will want to look for a rocker in the front of your ISUP.
Is 10 mph too windy for paddle boarding?
Once you have a little experience, try to avoid paddling on days where the expected wind is more than 12 kts (about 14 mph). Above this will still be doable for more experienced paddlers but the extra wind is going to make paddling a lot less relaxing and fun.
Is higher PSI better for SUP?
PSI for inflatable SUP’s can vary from 10 – 20 PSI. Basically the higher the PSI number, the harder the board is going to be. Making sure your SUP is inflated to the proper air pressure will ensure: that it performs well.
How long can you leave a SUP inflated?
If you are planning on leaving your paddle board inflated for a week or two between uses, that is perfectly fine for the health of your inflatable SUP.
What size SUP is most stable?
The most popular SUP boards for general use are 10-11 feet in length and between 32 and 34 inches wide. If stability is a high priority for you, you’ll want to look for a board that is 33-34 inches wide. You can go wider, but you may end up with a board that is sluggish and less fun to paddle.
Is hard SUP better than inflatable?
Quick Answer: For all-around leisure paddling, inflatable SUPs are much better overall, due to advantages in durability, portability, weight, versatility, and injury prevention. But if you are buying a board mainly for SUP surfing or racing, certain technical attributes of hardboards make them worthy of consideration.
Is it worth buying a cheap SUP?
The low cost, in itself, is good, of course, but that’s brought about by the low quality of the materials, poor design + no added value (customer support, warranty, etc). As long as you don’t expect too much of the board, the lower price of the iSUP can be considered a positive as it serves the purpose.
Which SUP brand is best?
- Best SUP Brands.
- iRocker.
- Blackfin.
- Sea Gods.
- Thurso Surf.
- Atoll.
- NIXY.
- Red Paddle Co.
Is Costco SUP good?
Yes, indeed they are. The boards sold at Costco are comparable to other boards. Costco has a number of different paddleboards on offer, some of them even offer innovative technology to boot. All in all, Costco sells eight paddleboards.
How much should I spend on a SUP?
A good inflatable paddle board from a reputable brand will generally cost between $900 for a solidly performing all-around board with a durable construction to $1200 and up for higher-end boards with additional material layering and unique design features for specialty uses.