Here are our top tips on how to avoid falling off and how to get back on your paddleboard easily.
Oops... you've fallen in! Whether you are a beginner or more experienced, you are not immune to taking an unexpected dip in the open sea. In which case, how do you get back on your board? We will tell you!
First, you should be aware that paddleboarding in the sea requires a basic understanding of wind, tide and current. If you want to get away from lifeguard-patrolled areas in the summer and do your own thing, get to know the sea and how it works.
Paddleboarding rules vary according to the type of water you are on. On the sea, you can paddle your inflatable or rigid board up to 300m from the coast. Only stand-up paddleboards over 3.50m (11'6"), with several air chambers if they are inflatable, are allowed to go beyond 300m but no more than 2 nautical miles.
The mandatory equipment also varies: a buoyancy aid is recommended within 300m of the coast, whereas it becomes mandatory as soon as you are permitted to go further. In addition, you must carry with you a tow line (a rope and a means of attaching it), a means of communication and a waterproof light with battery life of at least 6 hours.
Lastly, any time you are on the sea, the leash that connects your board to your ankle is compulsory!
Balance is a matter of patience but above all of positioning: if you take the time to position yourself correctly on your stand-up paddleboard, your stability will be better.
When standing on your SUP, your feet should be shoulder-width apart on either side of the carry handle found in the middle of most SUPs. The handle serves as a guide, it is located in the middle of the board, exactly where you need to position yourself for your weight to be well distributed on the SUP.
When stand-up paddleboarding, your body positioning is similar to that of a skier:
- your legs should be slightly bent to absorb all the small jolts and movements on the water that will happen as you move along;
- keep your upper body engaged and your back straight to protect your lower back while you paddle.
The last step is to hold your paddle by positioning your hands correctly to adopt a better paddling technique and avoid getting tired.
To do this, grab the handle (or "grip") of your paddle with one hand and the shaft with the other hand, then hold the paddle above your head. Position your hands so that your elbows form a 90° angle when the shaft touches the top of your head. Mark the position of your hand on the shaft, the spacing of your hands will now be optimal to give your movements more power!
Although the answer "get back on any way that you can" is on the tip of our tongues, we will share with you the right technique for getting back on your board.
First, get your paddle out of the way by placing it on the front of your SUP so that you have both hands free. Next, get yourself to the side of your board, level with the carry handle and grab the opposite side or the carry handle with one of your hands. Finally, haul your body onto the board, holding your board with the other hand. It doesn't matter what it looks like, you're back on your board and you can continue on your adventure!
A piece of advice: if you are right-handed, it will be easier for you to get back on from the left side, whereas if you are left-handed, the opposite would be more comfortable.
It's not always easy to keep your balance and find the right way to get back on your SUP. Here is a bonus solution if the first technique does not work: get yourself to the back of your board, looking at the tail of the SUP and facing the front of the board. Then, submerge the stern (back) of your SUP and slide yourself up it until you get back to the middle of the board. There you go!
Do not hesitate to take a SUP beginner lesson, it is by far the best way to learn good habits and give yourself a good head start before going out on your own later on. Being guided by an instructor will put your mind at ease and you will quickly get a taste for paddling.
With stand-up paddleboarding reaching an ever wider audience, there are now plenty of clubs and hire companies offering SUP lessons. Down by the water, ask local sailing clubs, board hire companies and clubs that offer other water sports activities.
Now that you know how to get back on your SUP in any situation, you can go off and explore the best SUP spots in France!
