Paddleboarding is fun, and there is no doubt about it. However, if you are ill-equipped or fail to prepare adequately, it can be dangerous. Safety is an issue that many paddle boarders take for granted while SUPing because many individuals do not realize the danger of stand-up paddleboarding particularly when you are not armed with the right protective gear.

Paddleboarding accidents and fatalities are actually more common that they should be. Sadly, most of these fatalities do not occur in extreme conditions such as the ones experienced professionals encounter. In most cases, most SUP escapades are otherwise safe trips that become disastrous as a result of lack of proper preparation.

SUP is just as serious a sport as surfing or kayaking. As such, you must always take the time to arm yourself with the right safety devices and that includes life jackets, leashes and a range of other safety equipment. Initially, it might seem like overkill preparing for an event that might never happen, but as always, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Life Jackets
In countries such as Canada and the U.S, many state and provincial regulations require that a PFD (personal flotation device) must always be carried on a paddleboard except when you are in a surf zone or a selected bathing or swimming area. Please note that when buying a life jacket, you must try as much as you can to match the life jacket to your level of activity; the more straps you have, the more custom your fit will be for maximum safety.

Leashes
When SUPing, you should always remember that you are the most vulnerable person out there in the water. Leashes are, therefore, indispensable. Leashes are a big deal and are one of your best sources of survival when paddleboarding. A leash keeps you attached to your board at all times so you should wear one at all times.

Lifejackets or leashes?
Whether lifejackets or leashes are the best pieces of safety gear for SUP is a hotly debated topic by experts and novices alike. If you have a leash on, it means that you are also attached to the PFD, which keeps you in the safest position possible. Whenever you are separated from your board, it can spell danger even for the most experienced paddle boarder.

In almost all accidents that have occurred while paddleboarding, the victim was not wearing a life jacket, when the rider became separated from his or her board. If you should fall off and your paddleboard gets caught in the wind, you will most likely not be fast enough to swim and catch up with it. If you do not have your lifejacket on, you could be in serious danger.

If you, fortunately, manage to get back on your board, the lifejacket is buoyant which will make it easier for you to climb up on it. Of course, you would not have to swim after your board if you had the right leash on. Leashes are typically tethered to the board and they keep you connected to your board even if you fall down. As a rule of thumb, both the lifejacket and the leash should be worn at all times when paddleboarding.

Now having said this, I personally believe that a leash is more important than a PFD. Maybe it’s from all of my years living in Mexico. No one ever wore PFD’s. It wasn’t macho. Personally, I find them constricting and hot (especially in the warm Mexican summer). However, I would NEVER go out without being attached to my leash. As I see it, as long as I could get back on my board it was all good.

Can’t decide if you want to wear a life jacket when paddle boarding? Fair enough. Just make sure you always have your leash attached. After all, no matter how good of a swimmer you are, eventually you will get tired swimming after your board. Then what…

Stand up paddle boarding is quickly becoming a common hobby for lovers of water sports. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced veteran, all paddleboarders are bound to make mistakes. So, if you fall a bunch of times in the beginning, don’t worry about it. However, to make your life easier, try to avoid these common mistakes often made by beginners to paddle boarding.


Looking Down While Standing on the Board

If you are participating in paddle boarding for the very first time, do not look down while using the paddle board. Although you might be tempted so that you can get a view the board, it can actually make it harder to maintain your balance. If you want to feel more stable and balanced, you should relax, look forward and choose a spot off in the horizon to focus on instead. By looking forward, the wobbly surface you are viewing disappears, your brain becomes more comfortable and you instantly become more stable.

The Paddle Blade is Facing the Wrong Way

When you look at the profile of a paddle board paddle, you will notice that the blade is offset from the shaft. It’s positioned that way to maximize the amount of water you can pull through your stroke. When using a paddle, make sure that the blade is bent away from you, which will ensure a more powerful and efficient stroke. If you can’t visualize the way the blade should be oriented, think of an ice cream scoop being pulled through the ice cream. You have the offset curve facing away from you as you pull the scoop/blade towards yourself.


Using the Wrong Equipment

Contrary to popular belief, not all SUPs are created equal. Some are designed for choppy conditions while others are created specifically for use on flat water. If you are a beginner, you should make sure that you talk to your salesperson first and explain the conditions in which you plan to use the paddle board for the best pick. Generally, large boards are your best bet if you want a versatile paddle SUP because they make it easy for you to use your technique and they make it a lot easier to balance on. Purchase an All Around style for your first paddle board. They are capable of doing almost everything. Once you gain experience, you can get more specialized boards.

Maintaining the Wrong Posture

The way that you stand up on a paddleboard can be the difference between failure and success. Posture is the key to maintaining balance, which is essential to becoming a good stand up paddler. If you have never used a paddle board before, you should try and stand in a symmetrical position around the handle area, which is the middle.  More advanced veterans usually know a range of advanced techniques that allow them to execute moves like the pivot turn.


Using Bad Technique.

When using your stand up paddle board, you should try and avoid:

• Paddling at an angle: Instead, the blade should enter straight into the water so that you can make the most out of your stroke’s power.
• Pulling through your stroke past your ankle: Doing this will slow you down as a result of drag.
• Moving the paddle too far from the board: if you do this, you will go from side to side instead of moving straight.

Now that you’ve read about many of the common mistakes beginners to stand up paddle boarding make, it’s time to get away from the screen go to the beach and get out on the water. Don’t worry about falling or looking stupid. You’re out there doing it, so be proud of yourself.

Have a great paddle!