4 Essential Paddle Boarding Tips & Tricks For Beginners
Stepping on a paddle board can be your ticket to exhilarating water escapades. Rooftops? Landmarks? Try waterways for a change! But before you plunge into this emerging water sport, you need handy paddle boarding tips to keep you balanced and afloat. The waters can be tricky, but so can every journey's start.
The journey towards mastery starts with the right choice of all-around paddle boards. The Dax Board Company crafts every board with one goal: to make your water adventure unforgettable. With our Lake Tahoe-inspired boards, the water isn't just a surface; it's your playground.
Start on Flat, Calm Water
Kicking off your paddle boarding adventure in calm and flat water is the first golden tip. The tranquility of the still waters offers a perfect environment to learn the ropes without battling waves or strong current. Instinctively, beginners feel comfortable and confident in familiar environments, and flat, calm water provides just that. Lakes, quiet bays, or slow-running rivers are ideal starting points.
Take the time to familiarize yourself with your board here. Start by sitting on it, then progress to kneeling. Once you feel stable, stand up one foot at a time, ensuring your feet are parallel to the board's stringer. Simple tasks like these are excellent springboards to mastering skills required for paddle boarding.
Use the Right Paddle Grip
Another crucial paddle boarding tip pertains to gripping the paddle correctly. A good grip results in effective strokes, and effective strokes mean balance, control, and a forward-moving board. Position one hand on top of the paddle's handle and the other along the shaft. Remember, the elbow of your arm on the shaft should protrude slightly, forming a 90-degree angle between your forearm and bicep.
The power of a paddle lies less in the arms and more in the core. Engage the core as you pull or scoop the water, much like a spoon scooping out honey from a jar. This approach ensures an efficient and fatigue-free paddle-boarding experience.
Keep Your Eyes on the Horizon
Balance plays a significant role in paddle boarding. One way to optimize balance is by keeping your eyes on the horizon. Fixating on the feet distracts you from what lies ahead; it might even make you lose your balance. Maintaining an upright stance with forward-looking eyes aids in the absorption of water motions and helps maintain a balanced and steady ride.
Your eyes guide your body. For starters, you might be inclined to look down, but training your eyes to look straight ahead helps control your stance and direction. With your gaze leading the way, merely follow with your body and paddle in rhythm.
Practice Falling and Getting Back On
Falling off the board is a part of paddle boarding—all part of the process and no cause for alarm. Learning how to fall minimizes the risk of injury. Aim to fall sideways, clear of the board to avoid hitting it. Once in the water, get your bearings before trying to get back on the board.
Returning to the board is an art in itself. At the center of the board, grip the handle with one hand, let your other hand balance on the board, and kick your legs to lift yourself onto the board. Eventually, as in all aspects of paddle boarding, improving these skills comes down to practice.
Inviting Waves with Dax Board Company
But there's more to paddle boarding than the board. The right paddle board accessories play a big part in crafting a seamless experience. They're your best allies, keeping you safe and giving you the best chance to apply those paddle boarding tips you've learned. Check out our accessories today! Dax Board Company is here to supply every piece of the puzzle.