Stand-up paddleboarding on the sea requires a few extra precautions and prior knowledge of the best practices for safe paddling.
Paddleboarding is a sport accessible to all that is enjoyed all over France, all year round. To get started the right way, you just need to know a few basic principles and learn how to keep your balance on the board.
Generally speaking, you can launch on any body of water. Be mindful, however, of specific regulations concerning certain protected areas on which it is forbidden to paddle.
If you want to enjoy some great SUP trips, especially on the sea, look for flat, calm water: no waves, no wind and no currents to fight against. The discipline of SUP surfing, for example, requires experience, good balance and knowledge of surfing. Bear in mind that the perfect paddleboarding spot is above all the one that is suited to your skill level!
Your SUP, whether inflatable or rigid, needs to be suited to how you are going to use it, your build and your paddleboarding skill level.
What type of board to choose?
There are 5 different paddleboard shapes suited to different disciplines:
- Surf SUP, a short and manoeuvrable board for use in the waves.
- All-round SUP, a versatile paddleboard that can be used in waves while remaining stable if you want to use it for touring.
- Cruising SUP, a board with a longer shape that gives it good stability for long sessions on the water.
- Touring model, somewhere between the cruising SUP and the race SUP, delivering faster glide speeds while maintaining a certain stability.
- Race SUP, a long and narrow model specially designed for speed racing.
If you want to paddleboard on the sea, go for a surf SUP if you are already good enough to paddle in the waves, or an all-round or cruising model if you only paddle when the water is flat. If you are a beginner, the all-round and cruising models are the most suitable for getting your balance easily while experiencing the feeling of paddleboarding.
What size of board to choose?
Your height and your build generally determines how long or wide your SUP should be. As you might imagine, for more stability, larger riders will be more comfortable on a longer (10' or more) and wider board (30" or 32"). Smaller riders can opt for shorter models from 8' and 30".
What about the question of rigid SUP vs. inflatable SUP? Inflatable paddleboards have several advantages: they are strong and sturdy while presenting less risk of impact than a rigid SUP. And what's more, you can take it anywhere in a large backpack that makes it easy to carry.
The ocean and the sea are natural environments that change rapidly depending on the weather, tides, wind and swell. To paddle safely, we have some tips and basic rules for you to help you learn how to "read" the water.
SUPs under 3.50m (11'6") are considered to be "beach craft". As such, you will have to stay in the area of water nearest the coast, no more than 300 metres from the shore. Within this limit, it is compulsory to wear your leash and although a buoyancy aid is not mandatory, it is strongly recommended (especially if you are not comfortable in the water).
If your SUP is longer than 3.50m with several air chambers, considered as a boat, you can go beyond the 300-metre zone and up to 2 nautical miles from the shore. In this case, a leash and a buoyancy aid are mandatory. You must also carry with you: a waterproof light with battery life of 6 hours, a tow line: a rope and a means of attaching it, and a means of communication that you can keep dry in a waterproof bag.
To enjoy your time on the water, remember to equip yourself with the right gear according to the weather and the conditions but also in line with regulations. It is advisable for all paddlers with a board under 3.50m in length, considered a "beach craft", to wear a buoyancy aid or other flotation device.
How to stay safe while having fun If you want to SUP on the sea, arm yourself with some basic knowledge so that you don't put yourself in danger!
The elements will not always be in your favour to create a perfectly smooth body of water; you will have to contend with wind and currents. Pay attention to the wind direction so that it does not take you away from the coast in order to stay a safe distance from the shore. The same goes for currents, check that they are not dragging you out to sea.
To check the wind direction and swell, there are several apps online that will help you prepare for your trip, such as Windguru.
Also check the tides to avoid any nasty surprises! Some spots are unsuitable at low tide when the water recedes to reveal a muddy or rocky bottom. You can find tide times at the nearest port or lifeguard station, or online.
In summer, if you have any doubts about the suitability of the conditions, go to lifeguard-patrolled beaches or spots popular with other paddlers. Alternatively, seek out advice from seasoned paddlers, a club or locals who know their spot well.
If you want to SUP surf, first learn to master your board on flat water. Positioning of your feet, balance, holding your paddle properly and paddling technique... being perfectly comfortable with the basics of paddleboarding will be an advantage in the waves.
Then you can devote yourself to the pleasure of riding the waves. To catch a wave, keep your initial position when paddling and then get yourself into a stance with one foot in front and one foot behind once on the wave.
The great thing about SUP surfing is that it's easier than surfing because you don't have to learn to stand up on your board. However, do not forget the rules of priority on the waves: the surfer nearest the inside, i.e. the one closest to the point where the wave breaks, has priority!
Shall we hit the beach?
