Did you just pick up a shiny new paddleboard? If you’re new to the paddleboarding scene, there are a handful of basics you should know. These are tips that will make your first experience on the water a positive one. As you journey into the exciting world of inflatable paddleboards, keep these five tips in mind, and you’ll be cruising across the water in no time.
Get a Feel for Your Paddleboard
The first time on a paddleboard can be intimidating, so take small steps. You don’t have to stand up on the board your first time out either. Everyone starts somewhere, and it’s all about what you’re comfortable with. Start by sitting on your board, like you’re sitting in a kayak. Get a feel for how your board glides through the water. Then work up to kneeling on the board. Feel how your body shifts as you use the paddle to control yourself on the water. Then, work up to standing, taking it one step at a time. The goal is to find your center of balance—in your core—and to train yourself how to keep it above the board. Just like riding a bike, once you develop a feel for the board, it’s hard to forget it.
Keep Your Head Up
When maintaining your balance, keep your head up. Look at other paddleboarders, the shore, the horizon, or anything that isn’t the surface of your board. While it’s tempting to look down at the water, this is a good way to accidentally shift your balance, lose it, and take a dip! As you practice standing and paddling through the water, keep your eyes and head up and look straight ahead.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Learning to balance on your paddleboard means keeping your head up and looking forward, but it also means learning to read your surroundings. You should always be aware of other paddleboarders. As you learn the ways of the board, make sure you stay out of the way of more experienced boarders. At the same time, stay on the lookout for potential hazards like rocks, branches, swift currents, and sudden shallows, along with swimmers, dogs, and other water traffic.
Pay Attention to Your Core
When you first get on the water with a new inflatable SUP board, your instincts may tell you to paddle with your arms. This is the quickest way to tire yourself out. When you’re tired, you’re more likely to lose your balance, and when you lose your balance, you end up in the water. Instead, use your core as the source of your energy. This will take practice and a few times on the water to get down, but it’s an essential part of improving your abilities as a paddleboarder. Use your arms to orientate the paddle—use your core to push and maneuver.
Know Your Limits
Paddleboarding can push you beyond your limits without you even realizing it. When you’re out on your blow up paddle board, you’ll be having an absolute blast. The more you practice, the more fun you’ll have. But paddleboarding can take a lot out of you. Not only are you burning calories, but you’re also contending with the elements: the sun, the wind, and the water. All these elements can do a number on you, which is why it’s crucial to take a break from time to time. Rest on the shore, have a snack, and drink plenty of water. On top of that, regularly apply sunscreen to exposed skin. Listen to your body, and you can stay out there for longer.
About iROCKER
Nothing beats the exhilaration of hitting the water on your paddleboard. For nearly 10 years, iROCKER has helped connect people with that feeling of adventure. As a premier paddleboarding brand, iROCKER is known for industry-leading paddleboards and outdoor gear. From inflatable stand up paddleboards to hard boards, they have you covered. They also offer a variety of water accessories, like inflatable docks and board beverage coolers, so you get the most out of every adventure. But iROCKER doesn’t just sell SUPs and SUP gear; they also serve as an online resource for all things paddleboarding. From informative blogs to instructional videos, iROCKER supports the paddleboarding community through and through.
Get everything you need for your first paddleboarding adventure at https://www.irockersup.com/
Original Source: https://bit.ly/3Af8EBA
