What to Expect Entering the Surf with your Paddle Board for the First Time
Getting into the surf on your paddle board is one of the most rewarding experiences. You have off shore breeze and a blast of adrenaline rush to look forward to. Stand up paddling is said to be more seductive than surfing. Here is everything you need to know about the sport as a newbie.
Newbie’s Mistake
The biggest mistake that almost everyone makes when heading into the ocean on a paddle board is that they underestimate the power of water, and overestimate their own fitness. You can stand under the water and be called a mild water sport athlete, but standing up a fat wave that tosses you around in the water is not the best experience for a newbie. And all that while, the board you lost control of smashes into others trying to ride the waves.
Work out if You Want to Own It
The best fitness guide for this is to swim. Sure it makes use of a totally different set of muscles, but guess what; you need that in order to be able to get back on the board when you lost in a wave. Train hard, and when you get fit, you can reap the benefits as well as increased vitality in your life.
It’s a Step by Step Process
A smart paddle boarder is one who knows his or her limitations. To be a champion in the surf one needs to work on the small stuff first. Do not start by trying to accomplish the pro tricks and finding out the hard way that you need to work on your technique first.
Know the Rips and Currents
Paddle boarding in the ocean is different than what one encounters in calm waters. It is easy to navigate currents when you have just a board and big paddle. But if you fall off of it, you are going to need a completely different set of skills to reacquaint yourself with the board. Any good instructor at paddle board rentals will tell you that you should keep yourself relaxed when the current feeds the wave that is about to wash you over. There is a trick of swimming sideways out of it too. Remember not to panic and watch the break.
It Is Better to Stay Away from Other Paddle Boarders While You Learn
When you fall off your board, you are putting other surfers and paddle boarders near you in danger, the board that is splashing around with the current is now going to smash into other boards and topple people over. Be safe when still learning the ropes of the sport, and keep a fair distance between yourself and the others.
