Learn why taking a beginner SUP lesson should be the first thing you do this paddling season!
In this article, we discuss why you need to take a beginner SUP lesson before you decide to rent a board.
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You’re on vacation. The beach is warm, the water is blue, and as you scan the horizon, you see what looks like people standing on the water.
This curious sight makes you look closer and you see they're actually paddling SUP boards along the shoreline.
The activity immediately piques your interest. And you want to give it a try.
From your perspective on the beach it looks easy enough. So, you decide to head over to the rental booth and grab a board.
After you pay for the hour rental, you walk to the shoreline and wait for the perfect time to launch the board.
The whitewater is strong but with a little persistence you make your way into the ocean. But once you're out there, you can hardly kneel, let alone stand.
The wind is blowing the waves over the face of the board and you’re not sure which way to hold the paddle as you try to battle the elements.
After a while, you give up and head back to the beach, defeated. You’re no longer sure if SUP is right for you, so you focus on other parts of your vacation. Instead of paddling, you decide to relax on the beach and watch others have fun on the water.
Maybe you’ll give it another try someday. Maybe, you won’t.
The Importance of Beginner SUP Lessons
This familiar sequence of events has led many people to believe that SUP just isn’t for them. They think they’re not athletic enough. Or possibly the conditions were too rough.
Either way, they gave it a shot, didn't find success, so they gave up...
A sad end to what could have been the perfect gateway to an active water-based lifestyle.
To avoid this type of fate, the team at Perfect Paddles recommends taking a beginner lesson — even if you have paddled once or twice before.
In order to understand why, we’re going to break down the need for beginner lessons as an integral part to anyone’s journey into SUP. As well as show you how you can find outfitters in your hometown (or across the globe) who can provide the best beginner lessons to ensure your success on and off the water!
SUP Safety
The number one reason why you should take a beginner lesson is for safety.
While it may not seem like it to the beginner, SUP is an inherently dangerous activity. Of course, this does depend somewhat on the conditions. But beyond that, SUP takes place in an environment unfamiliar to humans - the water.
As such, the possibility of drowning is always lurking in the background. To avoid any instances where this may take place, a qualified SUP instructor will guide you on how you can stay safe on the water.
This includes the proper use of a PFD (personal flotation device), why you should always wear a leash, how to get back on your board if you fall, and of course, they’ll keep an eye on you the entire time you're getting comfortable on the water.
And provide helpful assistance if the need should arise.
By having an instructor with you while you first learn the proper techniques, assess your balance, and paddle in real-time conditions, you will have first-hand instruction from a qualified Paddling Pro who will make sure your time is fun and safe.
Understand the Conditions
Conditions change. This is most certainly true on the water.
The wind, the tides, the currents, everything is factored into whether you will have a fun time on your board.
For the beginner it can all look the same. If the sun is out, it’s a nice temperature, then the assumption is it will be a great time on the water too.
But if you don’t know how the tide, wind, and offshore weather can affect the paddling environment, you can be set up for a miserable time.
You can be caught in a head wind with no way to return to your launch location. Or an outgoing tide that can create a strong paddling resistance. If you don't have the proper athletic conditioning in these situations, your leisurely paddle can change into a dangerous one.
However, if you take a beginner SUP lesson with a qualified instructor, they can provide you inside information on conditions at local launch locations. As well as teach you how to read the conditions so you can remain informed, safe, and make the proper decision on whether to paddle out at any given moment.
Whatever it may be, if you are a true beginner and don’t understand how the conditions can drastically alter your time on the water, you need to take a beginner lesson before you head out.
Correct SUP Technique
When beginners first start paddling, they have a tendency to only paddle with their arms.
However, if you want to progress in SUP, explore different water environments, maybe even test yourself in some waves, you are going to need to understand the correct paddling technique.
With a few beginner lessons underneath your belt, you’ll be better adept at the reach, the part where you move your paddle towards the nose of the board, the catch, where the paddle enters the water, and the pull, where you bring it back to your body and propel yourself forward.
In addition, you’ll be able to use your entire body with each paddle stroke. This will allow you greater efficiency and can be very important when you need to return to your launch location in the event conditions become dangerous.
In some respect, understanding the proper paddling technique can be the difference between making it home, having to be rescued, or finding yourself in a life and death situation.
The only way to truly understand how to paddle properly is with the help of a qualified instructor during a beginner SUP lesson.
SUP Equipment Knowledge
To the novice, every board looks the same. If it’s a paddle board, the assumption is it will work for you.
But this cannot be farther from the truth. Every paddler has a different set of skills inherent to them, as well as a different body size and frame.
All of these attributes combine to determine what size, shape, and thickness you need to be successful on the water.
Different boards work for different paddlers.
However, most beginners neglect this fact when they start. And in some instances, they can end up purchasing a board that doesn’t float them resulting in a miserable time and buyer’s remorse.
In order to truly understand what size board works for you, as well as the differences in paddles, the types of PFDs to purchase, even down to whether you should have a coil or straight leash, you need to take a lesson with an outfitter.
By taking a beginner SUP lesson you can try out different boards to see how they feel. You’ll be able to see what length, width, and thickness works for your body size and athletic ability.
In addition, you can discuss with your instructor the different types of boards available - SUP yoga, hardboards, foam tops, inflatable boards, etc.
You'll also know what supplemental equipment you might need on the water, including:
And what type of paddle you enjoy using — whether it be a carbon fiber paddle or fiberglass one.
With this experience underneath your belt, you’ll be able to decide on the perfect board and equipment when it’s time to buy. Plus, you won’t have any buyer’s remorse after you do!
SUP Community and Social Fun
SUP is a social activity. In fact, there is an entire community within SUP that comes along with it.
In addition to beginner instruction, there are SUP yoga classes you can take, SUP races to attend, SUP n Sips outings, SUP Socials, SUP adventures, and more! (You can find all types of classes listed in your area HERE)
You will be introduced to the community as a whole when you take a beginner SUP lesson. This will tap you into a brand-new social scene where you can make friends, plan outings, and stay in shape while doing so!
To put it simply. SUP is fun. But it’s even more fun to paddle with friends. The community of SUP understands this and that is why there are plenty of meetup groups available in your area to meet, greet, and have fun on the water.
With a beginner SUP lesson you can easily expand your circle by taking a beginner lesson, meeting new people, and growing within the community.
Where to Go for a Beginner SUP Lesson
We believe a beginner SUP lesson is the best way (and maybe the only way!) to be properly introduced to SUP. With a beginner lesson you will be safe, learn proper technique, know the conditions, understand what boards work for you, and be tapped into a brand-new social scene where you can make friends and have fun.
If you are a true beginner in SUP, be sure to refer to our Beginner's Guide which details everything you need to know about SUP before you get started.
Are you ready to take your first lesson? Then head to our SUP Search section, choose Beginner Lesson, type in your location, and find the closest outfitter near you who offers the best beginner lessons to get you started in SUP - the perfect gateway towards an exciting water-based lifestyle.
Have any additional questions we may not have answered? Reach out to us at any time and we will answer any questions you may have! The team at Perfect Paddles is here to provide you with the resources and help you need to have the best time on the water.
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