SUP learning

SUP Instructions: Learn SUP in 5 minutes

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So you want to learn SUP?

Unfortunately, that does not work in front of the screen. You have to get out on the water for that.

In this 5 minute SUP tutorial I want to explain you the basics of stand up paddling.

Equipped with the knowledge you can then venture on your own first SUP adventure.

Do not worry, SUP learning is really not hard.

For my article you need about 5 minutes reading time. On the water it takes 30 to 60 minutes until you have found your way.

At the latest from the second or third tour it will be really good.

But let’s get started right away. My lessons for you are:

  • SUP Instructions Step 1: The right equipment
  • SUP instructions Step 2: Into the water!
  • SUP instructions Step 3: The right footing
  • SUP instructions Step 4: The paddle technique

SUP Instructions: Step 1 – The right equipment

For the start you need the following equipment:

  1. SUP board
  2. SUP paddle
  3. SUP Leash
  4. Matching clothes
  5. (Lifejacket)

If you do a course for the first tour, you probably do not have to worry about it.

Otherwise, you can borrow a board and paddle. In all of Germany there SUP station that provide such services.

Or would you like to buy a SUP board ?

If so, I advise you to an all-round board that is at least 80 cm wide and 320 cm long. This category of boards offers a lot of stability and is versatile.

-> See my Allround SUP Board Reviews

If you already own SUP Board + Paddle

With your own SUP board and your own paddle you only have to worry about a leash and possibly a life jacket.

SUP Leash

Woman stands on sup board with sup leash on ankle

A leash is a tether attached to the board with one end attached to your ankle or the other end. If you fall into the water, your board will not float away so guaranteed.

A SUP Leash is one of the standard equipment for stand up paddling, because the boards can swim quite fast due to currents, wind and the initial pushing away when falling into the water.

-> See my favorite SUP leashs

Clothes for Stand Up Paddling

And which clothes are suitable?

  • In the summer bikini and swimming shorts are perfectly adequate. Just think of enough sunscreen with a high sun protection factor and possibly a headgear.
  • In spring and autumn, thin neoprene clothing such as a neoprene T-shirt or a long John isrecommended .
  • In winter, you should dress according to the onion principle to stay warm. Dry suits or wetsuits are recommended . Pay attention to warmed hands and feet.

-> Learn more about SUP apparel

(Lifejacket)

Other websites generally recommend lifejackets with SUP. However, I believe that if you are a practiced swimmer and looking for a start anyway a mirror-smooth lake the danger is relatively small.

But I do not want to take your decision. If you, as a SUP beginner, want to be alone on the water and are not sure about your swimming skills , you should probably order a life jacket like the Lalizas life jacket .

SUP Instructions: Step 2 – Get into the water!

The equipment is at the start, but how do you get into the water now?

First of all, the board needs to be prepared:

  1. Open the valve of the board
  2. Plug the pump into it (via screw cap)
  3. Pump up the board. The manufacturer recommends the recommended pressure on the website or in the operating instructions. In any case, this is in the range of 10 to 15 PSI.

For later: The supplied pumps are often not the yellow of the egg. A double stroke pump or an electric pump is well worth it in my opinion.

On the carrying handles, you can now carry the board into the water. Move the board a few meters from the shore until the water is deep down to the hips. Climb onto the board now and kneel down in the middle.

Stand facing out, take the paddle in both hands and paddle away from the shore.

SUP Instructions: Step 3 – The Right Stand

Now stand up slowly. It can help to put paddles across the board.

This will seem quite uncertain at first. In particular, therefore, it is recommended to start on an almost wave-free day (waves <20 cm). With some experience (1 or 2 tours), this initial insecurity flies away completely.

The stand at SUP is upright. The back should be straight.

Go down a little bit to better balance the waves of the water.

Now it can go on with the decisive last step …

SUP Instructions: Step 4 – The paddle technique

Above all, learning SUP means learning how to paddle .

For paddling, you must first take the right attitude. The SUP is hip-width with parallel feet on the board. Feet and body are directed forward.

The paddle is held with both hands. The hand of the paddle side is at the bottom of the shaft of the paddle, while the other hand includes the handle.

  • If you paddle right, the right hand is down on the shaft and the left hand on the grip.
  • If you paddle left, your left hand is down on the shaft and your right hand is on the grip.

The upper arm is the pressure arm. This one does the most work. The arm on the shaft of the paddle is called a draft arm. Ideally, this arm only guides the barrel of the paddle. But the power comes from the upper arm.

Dive with the paddle as far forward as possible and pull the paddle at most to the height of your feet. This is how you get ahead the fastest.

Use not only the strength of your arms for paddling but also your upper body.

As you can see in the picture, the pressure arm is almost stretched. Right at the beginning this is not so easy to implement. Try to remember it during the first tours.

In which direction does the paddle show?

Choosing the right side of the paddle sheet is a bit unintuitive.

Paddle blades are often tilted. When paddle, the sloping side of you must point away. The paddle should not be a shovel that will allow you to get a lot of water, but a tool that will help you move forward effectively.

So, the 5 minutes are over.

I hope you have learned something about SUP and hope you enjoy your first SUP adventure!