For beginner paddlers, the best time to paddle board is during slack tides. Slack tides provide great paddle boarding conditions with minimal water movement, making it easy to balance on the SUP. Slack tides occur an hour before and after the high and low tides, when the current changes direction and ceases movement.
What are the best conditions for SUP?
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.
Is it safe to SUP when the tide is going out?
If there is no swell and little wind, low tide can be perfect for beginners who want to paddleboard on the ocean. On many sandy beaches, low tide means the water stays shallow for quite some distance, so you can gain confidence and your sea legs without having to go out of your depth.
What wave height is good for paddle boarding?
Wave height
Above 0.5m will see the SUP surfers excited! This also works for lake paddling, depending on the size of the lake or the Loch you will generally see wave heights below one-metre.
Where is the best place to stand on a SUP?
The best spot to stand on your SUP is over the middle point. This is where you will feel most stable. Luckily, the middle point of your SUP is easy to determine because almost every stand up paddle board has a carry handle located there; inflatable paddle boards included.
Why do my legs shake on SUP?
It’s just SUP. Gently wiggle your toes if you have shaky legs. It’s a perfectly normal fight or flight instinct kicking in. Getting up and down a few times may help.
What is a good speed on a SUP?
about 3-4 knots
A comfortable average speed is about 3-4 knots, on a regular all-round paddleboard. More wave-orientated boards are slower, while specialized race boards can be up to 8 knots fast.
When should you not paddleboard in the sea?
As well as tides, avoid times where there is an offshore wind. Offshore winds blow from the land out to sea so if you get caught in one, you could also be blown out to sea. Onshore winds are ones which blow towards land.
When should you not SUP in the sea?
You should avoid going out when there are offshore winds, as they can quickly blow you far out to sea, making for an exhausting paddle back to shore. If you are on a lifeguarded beach, keep an eye out for the orange windsock to see which way the wind is blowing.
What should you not do when paddle boarding?
Okay so next I’m gonna go over each mistake and show you how to do it correctly.
- Not Wearing A Leash.
- Going Out In The Wrong Conditions.
- Not Controlling Their Board.
- Not Being Centered On The Board.
- Failing to Get Back Onto the Board.
- Looking Down For Balance.
- Falling Onto The Board.
- Paddling Too Far Off the Board.
Should you bend your knees when paddle boarding?
Stay relaxed and keep your knees bent. This will keep your body from becoming rigid and locked. You’ll have better balance and more mobility on your board. Try to feel your board moving with the water.
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.
Should you wear water shoes on SUP?
Water shoes prevent your toes from getting caught in the D-rings on the deck of your SUP. Wearing paddling shoes protects the tops of your feet from sunburn. The added traction helps to prevent slips and falls.
Should you wear shoes on a SUP?
In the winter, SUP shoes are a must, but in the summer, we suggest you go barefoot. In the cold months, you’ll need to wear a neoprene shoe or bootie. That said, if you’re launching your board in a shallow spot where there are rocks or sharp debris under the water, shoes are a good idea.
How long should a beginner SUP be?
For beginners, stay within the 32-34 range. For advanced paddlers, you can drop to the 30 -32-inch range. However, some companies make multi-person paddle boards that are 45-56 inches because they are designed for 4-7 riders — the Megalodon is one great example.
Should I roll or fold my SUP?
Rolling | Folding from the tail is generally the best method of securing your SUP board for storage and transportation since fin boxes and fins will be inside the board. It is critical that all the air is removed since the valve can not be accessed once the roll is started.
Is SUP a good workout?
Beyond the core alone, SUP is also a great all-round body workout. It’s an exercise in strength and endurance that requires almost every element of the body to cooperate. When you paddle through the water, your quadriceps, shoulders, arms and knees work together to propel you forward.
Is SUP good for posture?
#2 Good posture in sup helps regain shape
The standing position in SUP allows you to paddle while preserving your back, provided you maintain a good posture.
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 a thicker SUP more stable?
Thickness affects a paddle board very similarly to width and length. The thicker the board, the more volume and capacity it can support. As such, thicker paddle boards are more stable.