Here are our tips for getting into the right position on your paddleboard so that you can spend more time on your board than in the water!
Are you new to stand-up paddleboarding? The first steps are relatively simple but you will improve by making sure you are in the right position on your board and by holding your paddle correctly. These two points will give you a sure advantage on the water by protecting you from premature fatigue and injury.
The basics of stand-up paddleboarding are quick to grasp: within about 30 minutes you will be standing on your board.
To get your balance on your inflatable or rigid SUP, the kneeling position is the best. You can start to feel yourself glide across the water and make your first strokes while being stable. Get into position in the centre of your board with your knees slightly apart on either side of the carry handle of your board.
The kneeling position is also useful for seasoned paddlers when it is windy to move forward more easily or on choppy water to keep your balance.
Once you have got your bearings on your knees, you can adopt the standing position to move on to serious business!
Find all our video tips (coming soon) below for a smooth first launch! ⤵️
According to one study, 50.4% of paddleboarding injuries involve muscles and/or tendons. The three factors linked to this kind of injury are poor warm-up, poor strength training and finally poor paddling technique.
To prevent injury and work on your paddling technique, you must first of all be in the correct position on your board.
First, you need to position yourself correctly on your stand-up paddleboard because if you are too far back or too far forward your board will not glide properly on the water. Optimal placement is in the centre of your board with your feet either side of the carry handle.
Once positioned in the right place on your board, hold your paddle out in front of you like a tightrope walker and position yourself correctly:
- Feet shoulder-width apart;
- Legs slightly bent to improve balance;
- Back straight.
Finally, do not look at your feet, otherwise you are guaranteed to fall off! Looking in the right direction is the best way to make sure you end up there and this will help you to find your balance by focusing on a spot in the distance.
A good SUP paddle stroke will give you more power and will allow you to glide more easily. It is also a way to save your energy with an efficient movement to protect you from early fatigue and injury.
The first part of a good SUP paddling technique is the positioning of your hands on the paddle:
- hands too close together do not allow you to have enough amplitude to give your movements power;
- hands too far apart will give you more power but will tire you out more quickly.
First, remember to adjust your paddle using the adjustment system to make it the right height for you. Hold your paddle out in front of you with the blade on the ground, and adjust the paddle so that the grip is level with your wrist when your arm is raised. Sorted!
It is not uncommon to see beginners holding their paddle with both hands on the shaft... big mistake! When paddleboarding, the hand on the top of the paddle should be on the handle (or "grip").
There are two types of grip on SUP paddles: symmetrical grip and asymmetrical grip, also called "T-shape". On a symmetrical grip your handle will naturally find its place in the palm of your hand. On a T-shaped grip, the rounded side of the grip will sit in the palm of the hand, your fingers roll over it and then your thumb comes over to hold everything in place.
To position your hands perfectly on the paddle, there is a simple but foolproof 4-step method!
1. Place your top hand on the grip and the other hand on the shaft
2. Hold your paddle above your head
3. Make the shaft of your paddle touch the top of your head
4. Position your hands so that your elbows are at a 90° angle
Your hands are in the optimal spacing; you are ready to paddle! To get back to this correct positioning in a single glance when you swap hands, we suggest making a mark with a piece of waterproof tape or a permanent marker for example.
For symmetrical paddles, where the blade is aligned with the shaft, it does not matter which way round you hold it. On the other hand, if you are using an angled paddle, things may seem a little less logical, but don't panic, we will explain!
How to hold your angled SUP paddle It's not all that complicated; to get the full power out of your stroke, the angle must be open towards the front of the board and therefore the hollow side of the blade needs to point towards the back of the SUP.
Your position and your paddling technique will improve as you get more practice. If, however, you experience pain on your paddle board or cannot manage to paddle properly, professional advice will help you improve.