Last Updated on March 5, 2017 by Editor
So you’re interested in trying out paddle boarding. We know what you’re thinking, is paddle boarding hard? At first, it definitely appears as though it will be a pretty easy task to undertake. However, the more you think about it, it’s pretty tricky. You’re standing on water, so you need to be able to balance. Not just that, but you’re also paddling for momentum and gliding across the water at the same time. So paddle boarding must be hard? Let’s take a look at some factors that may make paddle boarding challenging and then we will share with you how to make life as easy as possible when you give it a go yourself.
Even though paddle boarding has its challenges, we promise it is not hard at all. In fact, stand up paddle boarding is probably one of the simplest water sports for someone to get the hang of. Most other water sports are drastically more difficult to pick up. The great thing about paddle boarding is not much can wrong, the risks are very small. If you compared paddle boarding to regular surfing the effort you put in is far less and the enjoyment you get out is just as satisfying. So here are some challenges you can expect to run into if you’re planning on getting into paddle boarding.
1. Balancing –
You probably already guessed that stand-up paddle boarding on the water involves balance. Keeping your balance will obviously become increasingly harder on a windy day or if the water is choppier or the waves are bigger. If you are losing your balance, the best thing to do is to lean down back onto your knees in the same position as when you started to mount your board. This is by far the easiest and most effective way to keep your balance whilst stand up paddle boarding. Another key aspect of keeping your balance is ensuring that you pick the correct board for beginners, the wider boards are by far the best. The wider the board is that you use, the easier you will find it is to be able to keep your balance. The easier you find it to balance, in turn, the more fun you while having whilst paddle boarding.
2. Maneuvering –
One of the best parts of stand up paddle boarding is being able to move around the waters you’re in and take in the scenery and surroundings. So how easy is it to move around whilst paddle boarding? At first, it is definitely challenging.
3. Falling in the Water – This will definitely happen to you at some point. But, don’t worry, falling off the board can actually be fun. Make the most of it.
4. Patience – It’s the same whenever you are learning a new skill or sport, your patience will be tested and pushed to the maximum. One good point is that paddleboarding is so much fun it will be easy to keep yourself busy and distracted.
