For those who have never tried stand up paddleboarding it can seem like a challenge. At the very least it seems like something that will require you to get wet. But one of the most common misunderstandings about stand up paddleboarding is that it will take practice just to stand up and in the meantime you’re going to fall off. But this is usually not so.
In most cases stand up paddleboarders stand up on the first try and don’t fall off. The boards are remarkably stable in the water and with just a little instruction it’s easy to go from sitting on your knees to standing up.
To stand up, hold the paddle crosswise in front of you on the board and fasten your gaze on the horizon. Don’t look at your feet. Stand up quickly and start paddling as soon as possible as this will help to stabilize you.
Once you’re up, keep your upper body centered and your gaze looking out to the horizon. Stand with your feet shoulder length apart. Avoid leaning too far forward or back, but don’t stand stiffly. Keep your knees slightly bent and let your hips move slightly from side to side to absorb the chop of the water.
To move forward plant your paddle fully in the water and pull. Try to engage your core muscles in paddling, not just your arms. To steer straight ahead, take a few strokes on one side and then a few on the other. To turn, paddle exclusively on one side and you will turn slowly. To turn more quickly, paddle backwards on the opposite side.
Here in Costa Rica plenty of people choose to fall off on purpose, just to cool off. But you don’t have to if you don’t want to. Stand up paddleboarding is easy. Let us show you how. Visit us at Uvita 360 in Uvita Dominical Costa Rica. Sign up for one our standup paddleboarding trips and we’ll have you moving happily through the water in no time.
