How Hard is it to do Stand-Up Paddleboarding?

Before I got into paddleboarding, I always saw photos of people on Instagram looking cool and calm when out on their paddleboards and thought that it looked easy. But just how hard is it to do stand-up paddleboarding?

In short, stand-up paddleboarding is very easy. It is easy to learn, great fun and also a great workout. It is a great sport for people of all shapes, sizes and levels of fitness and you get the positive mental health benefits of being out in nature and the opportunity to experience it from the unique perspective of being on the water.

Want to learn more? Read on.

Is Stand-Up Paddleboarding Hard?

Whilst stand-up paddleboarding might appear to be hard, it really isn’t. I remember the biggest worry I had was being able to get from a kneeling/seated position to a standing position. Again it is much easier than you think.

The hardest part of getting into paddleboarding is making sure you have the right equipment and gear to do it. In our guide “what should I wear to go paddleboarding?“, we cover the items of clothing you should wear when you want to hit the water.

How Should a Beginner Stand-Up Paddleboard? Tips to Get You Started.

If you’re are stepping on your stand-up paddleboard (SUP) for the first time, there are a few mistakes that first-timers often make, which can easily be avoided. Below are some tips to get you started when you hit the water for the first time

1. Choose a spot to go paddling where the water is fairly calm and not too deep. This could be somewhere like a bay or a local lake.
2. It is easier to balance on your paddleboard when you have more momentum. Similar to riding a bike, balance is improved with speed.
3. Don’t stand too far forward on your paddleboard. The front end needs to be able to rise up slightly to avoid hitting the waves directly.
4. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees in a comfortable position (but not locked).
5. Just like trying to balance on a bike, looking down at the board will make it more difficult to balance. Try and focus in front of you at something in the distance and you will not only stand up straighter but also find balancing much easier.
6. Make sure you place the paddle blade fully in the water to get the most power in your strike. This will help you to propel yourself further with less effort.
7. To turn your paddleboard, place your paddle in the water on the opposite side of the board to the direction you wish to turn (e.g. if you want to turn left, put the paddle in the water to the right of your paddleboard. Sweep backwards in one long arc motion to turn.

Can Anyone Stand-Up Paddleboard?

Paddleboarding is a water sport that almost anyone can get into. Whilst you will get a full-body workout, you don’t have to look like you have just stepped out of Baywatch to enjoy it.

The main consideration when paddleboarding is making sure you choose a board that is suitable for your weight. Most boards will have a significant weight limit, which is usually there for buoyancy rather than a comfortable paddling weight.

You should check the weight range of the board you wish to use, but the general rule is that the heavier you are, the larger the board is that you should get.

Is Stand-Up Paddleboarding a Good Workout?

Yes, stand-up paddleboarding is a really good workout. You will engage your core muscles in order to remain balanced, your leg muscles will also be constantly engaged to remain balanced and your upper body is getting a workout from working the paddle. It is also a fairly low-intensity workout. All of this leads to a fun way to burn plenty of calories.

According to Sup World Mag, you can burn up to 430 calories per hour when casually paddleboarding. You can increase your workout by doing some SUP Yoga, this increases to as high as 540 calories per hour. If you do some touring, which means paddling at a moderate pace non-stop, you can burn as many as 708 calories per hour. This compares to around 483 calories per hour cycling or 650 calories per hour running. For a workout that is really relaxing, I would say that paddleboarding gives a good calorie-burning return for your efforts!

Is Stand-up Paddleboarding Harder than Kayaking?

Stand-up paddleboarding is generally considered easier than kayaking due to the ease of getting on and off of a paddleboard compared to in and out of a kayak as well as getting back on when falling off of your board (which happens more than you think). The only negative for paddleboarding is that you have a higher centre of gravity, making balancing (particularly on choppier water) much more difficult).

It is a good idea to think about the places you are likely to be paddling before deciding whether a kayak might be more suitable for you. If you are going to be paddling where the water is choppier, such as at the beach where there are waves to contend with, you might prefer to opt for a kayak as the lower centre of gravity will make it easier to stay upright. That said, you can kneel or even sit on a paddleboard, which essentially evens out this particular factor to consider.

A paddleboard is generally easier to get on and off of compared to getting into a kayak. With a kayak being a seated position, you will need to master being able to get in when the kayak is rocking on the water, which can be tricky.

You also have the issue of capsizing in a kayak, which can be harder to right than with a paddleboard and very difficult to get back into vs. getting back onto your SUP.

What to Wear Stand-Up Paddleboarding?

What you should wear stand-up paddleboarding will depend on the time of year (and weather) when you go. One item that is essential is a flotation device, which you should always take with you. For a solid basic range of items, you should get a floatation device as well as a neoprene (wetsuit) t-shirt, trousers and shoes.

For more information about what to wear in different weather, see our what should I wear to go paddleboarding guide.

The following items are what I would recommend for those needing a basic setup that won’t cost the earth:

Is Stand-Up Paddleboarding Safe?

Stand-up paddleboarding is a safe water sport to get into as long as you are sensible. Just like any other sport, negligence is the most likely cause of serious injury and accidents when out paddling.

In order to ensure you’re as safe as can be when out on the water, you should follow these simple tips:

• Always wear a flotation device – Whilst it might not look “cool”, it might just save your life.
• Make sure you paddle somewhere appropriate to your ability – As a beginner, paddling in rough waters or on fast-flowing water is not advised.
• Avoid paddling offshore in windy conditions – you can easily be blown out to sea in a strong wind.
• Make sure you wear a paddleboard leash – This will help you stay connected to your board and stop it drifting away from you when you need it.
• If you’re going alone, make sure someone knows where you are going and when you will be home – If you don’t return when expected, this person can contact the emergency services for you.
• If you’re not confident on your own, why not go with a friend – You can look after each other out on the water and help if either of you get into trouble
• Check the weather before you go – This will help you decide whether the conditions will be right for your level of expertise and help you decide what to wear when out on the water.
• Take your phone in a waterproof pouch – not just for taking photos, but so that you can make an emergency call if you need to.

Can You Paddleboard if You Can’t Swim?

Just because you can’t swim doesn’t mean you are completely ruled out of being able to paddleboard. You will just have to make sure you do it in water where you will be able to stand up and your head is above the water (preferably your chest too). You will need to be in water that is at least 20″ deep to give enough clearance for the fin of your paddleboard and deep enough so that you won’t damage your ankles when falling off.

In general, this will rule out paddling on rivers and lakes as they will be too deep. Paddling off the coast in the sea could be ok, but there is always the risk of the wind (and tide) pulling you out into deeper waters.

The ideal place would be a controlled environment where the water is not too deep, such as a man-made lagoon.

Summary

Hopefully from the above guide, you realise that paddleboarding is not that hard. As long as you keep safe and make sure you don’t do anything outside of your abilities you will find paddleboarding a really rewarding activity to enjoy.

Happy paddling!