guideline to help you become a pro in this Paddleboarding sport
Paddleboarding has become one of the most loved water sporting activities as people find it fun and exciting to explore the waters without having to swim or float in it. This sport is a derivative of surfing, as one stands on something that resembles a conventional surfboard and propels himself or herself through the water with the support of something similar to a canoe paddle, but it’s slightly longer. Stand up paddle boarding abbreviated as SUP is one of the water sports in the world whose popularity is growing at a steady pace. The great about this sporting activity is that it is designed to incorporate other fun activities such as SUP racing and many more.
If you are attracted to paddle boarding, and you would like to try it out, then go through these guidelines as they’re intended to help you become a pro in this sport.
Make use of Leash
Safety is a key concern whenever you’re participating in various types of water sports. When it comes to paddleboarding, you should always remember to use a leash to tie yourself into your board. Your board is crucial when it comes to safety as you may get tired, lose the direction, or find yourself far away from the shore, and it is easy to lose it if you’re subjected to strong winds or storms, especially if you are not tethered to it. Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
Leases are available in different types and shapes. For instance, some are straight, while others are coiled to match the padding style and preferences of individual paddlers. Regardless of the kind of leash you prefer or your attachment preference, it’s essential to keep in mind that you require a top-quality board leash that is not vulnerable to breakages, although it can get detached. This is usually the case to give your room to rescue yourself if your board is pulled away by heavy currents or when you find yourself entangled in plants that grow in water.
Pick the most appropriate gear.
Just like any other sport, having the right gear can bring the needed fun as well as safety. Before you get into the stand-up paddleboarding, it is necessary to first acquire the most suitable SUP gear for your level, not forgetting the kind of environment you’ll use to paddle.
It’s advisable to choose a thick and wide SUP as it can balance freely on both wavy and flat waters, especially if you’re a beginner. You can also settle for a touring SUP as it is suitable for beginners as well as experienced paddlers who are looking forward to cruise further and a bit faster.
Keep in mind to pick the most appropriate volume or thickness that matches your body type.
Keep an eye on wind direction.
Every time you stand on your SUP, your body behaves like a sail, which is an indication that strong winds will interfere with the direction you intend to propel your paddle. This makes it difficult to paddle and propel yourself to the intended destination, especially if you are doing it for the first time. Before you even think about paddling, it’s essential to pay attention to the wind conditions. This will help you to determine whether the environment is conducive for paddling or not.
The main objective is to understand the basics and practice your stability with no need to worry about waves or strong winds. If you realize that wind is becoming extremely powerful to the extent that you’re unable to withstand it and move in the intended direction, you can consider laying on your board and use your arms to paddle as it would be the case with an ordinary surfboard.
Face the Right Direction
Facing the wrong direction is the other mistake people make when paddling. This is more common among the beginners because they’re not conversant with the front-end, mainly when using a board that is all-round and featuring a large round nose.
So how do you differentiate the front from the back?
Fins are the elements that can help you to differentiate the board’s back from the front. Keeping the board straight while you paddle is one of the indications that you’re facing the right direction. When facing the wrong direction board will not straighten and will be forced to keep on adjusting the paddling sides.
The discussed above are some paddleboarding guidelines that can help you to improve your skills in this sport and afterward become a pro.