Paddle boarding is easily my new favorite outdoor activity. If you are curious about paddle boarding for the first time, you have come to the right place. Imagine floating on a lake alongside your friends while laughing, getting exercise, and drinking a beer; all without the cost and maintenance of a boat. That’s how I would describe it. Before I get into the experience of paddle boarding, I want to first mention the best stand up paddle board for beginners and what to wear paddle boarding.

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Best Stand Up Paddle Board for Beginners

Prior to paddle boarding, I did some research and found that Body Glove is a trusted brand for SUP boards. Upon my findings, the Body Glove Performer 11 was the perfect mix of a beginner paddle board and amazing durability. It is an inflatable SUP board for easy packing and transferring. The Body Glove Performer 11 package comes with both a manual and electric pump, as well as a carrying bag. It also has a mount to add a GoPro camera. You can use the front of the board to store items like shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, keys, and a cooler.

What to Wear Paddle Boarding

You will want to wear a swimsuit (with shorts if you prefer) and a life jacket.  Yes, you need to wear a life jacket when paddle boarding. We went paddle boarding at Chatfield Reservoir, and Colorado Parks & Wildlife requires life jackets while paddle boarding. I imagine it’s the same at other state parks.

I bought a Body Glove Women’s Life Jacket for myself and a Body Glove Men’s Life Jacket for my husband. Both of our life jackets are light and comfortable.

Paddle Boarding for the First Time Tips

The nice thing about paddle boarding is that it is easy to learn. Standing up takes balance and core strength, but you will catch on as your body gets used to it. You don’t have to stand up the whole time, or even at all. You can stay seated or kneel while paddle boarding.

Below are some tips I suggest while paddle boarding for the first time:

Go Paddle Boarding with Friends Who Have Been Before

I suggest paddle boarding with friends who have been before. If you don’t know anyone who is a paddleboarder, join a group on Facebook. I am part of a Facebook group called Kayaking, Canoeing, and Paddle Boarding in Colorado and they often set meetups for paddle boarding.  

When we went paddle boarding the first time with friends, they taught me how to effectively get on my board, where to go and not go on the lake, and how to stand up. Not to mention, we enjoyed some beer together on the lake with our paddles attached to one another’s boards. First, I didn’t know you could connect your boards together. Second, I didn’t know you could fit a cooler of beer on your board. That was cool!

How to Get on Your Paddle Board

To get on your paddle board, you will want to lean over onto your forearms to fill the width of the board. Using your weight to balance on your forearms, bring one leg up at a time. Continue to use your balance with your weight in the center of the board to pull yourself up.

Keep Your Fin from Hitting Rocks

It is important to keep your fin from hitting rocks and other things. Your fin keeps your board stable and straight. There will be times when the lake water is shallow, so be aware of your fin to keep it from hitting against the rocks.

How to Use a Paddle on a Paddle Board

The correct way to hold your paddle is with the blade angled forward. Typically, the logo is on the blade side, so keep the logo facing away from you. When paddling on the right side, put your left hand at the top and your right hand halfway down the paddle. Switch hand positions for the left side. Putting your hands too close together will keep you from gaining the most leverage from your strokes. Pull your paddle back using a J-Stroke.

Start on Your Knees Before Standing

Before standing on your paddle board, start on your knees. This will help you find your balance in a halfway position before fully standing. Keep your weight evenly between both of your knees. Leaning will cause you to tip over.

How to Stand on a Paddle Board

You can stand on your paddle board from the kneeling position or from the sitting position. Once you are in the kneeling position, put the opposite hand down on the board as the leg you are bringing up. This will keep your weight distributed evenly. Once you have one foot positioned on the board, stand up with a bend in your knees like you’re sitting in a chair. Slowly stand up all the way.

From the sitting position, form your body like a plank on the board. Walk your feet up toward your hands, keeping your weight on the opposite hand and foot. Once you have gained balance, slowly stand up with a bend in your knees until comfortably standing. If you have practiced yoga, think about it as going from a plank to a down dog, and then to standing.

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I hope you enjoyed this post on Paddle Boarding for the First Time Tips & Tricks. If you liked this post, you might also enjoy How We Planned for and Enjoyed Our Day at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo or  A Colorado National Speedway Date Night.