The Best Locations And Conditions For Learning How To SUP
Ideal Locations And Conditions For Learning How To SUP
Standup paddle boarding is arguably the fastest-growing watersport on the planet. It’s an activity you can enjoy casually or in extreme sports fashion. Before you choose what kind of SUP boarder you are going to be, however, you need to learn how to navigate on one without falling off. To make your learning experience an enjoyable and successful one you should choose a location with perfect conditions for learning how to SUP.
The ideal locations to learn how to ride a SUP board include tranquil lakes, protected bays, and calm sandy beaches. Find a location that is easy to launch your board and is also conducive to a land lesson. Avoid busy areas with lots of swimmers and paddlers. Don’t learn how to SUP anywhere around strong currents, hazards, rocky bottoms, or on windy and rainy days.
There are some very important qualities you should look for in a paddling location when you learn the fundamentals of this watersport. If you are looking to learn how to SUP, or want to teach a friend or loved one how to enjoy this activity, make sure you find a paddling location with all the criteria listed below to ensure a safe and successful paddling lesson.
Seven Ideal Locations And Conditions For Learning How To SUP
1. Look For A Location With A Soft, Sandy Beach
One of the best locations to learn how to ride a SUP board is on and near a soft sandy beach. A sandy beach is ideal for SUP beginners for a few reasons. For one, a tranquil beach is arguably the best launch point for someone mounting a SUP board for the first time.
You can wade in shallow waters with a sandy bottom as you carefully hoist yourself onto the board, and then learn to balance. The sandy bottom is also likely to come in handy when you take a few unintentional but inevitable spills into the water.
A beach is also a great spot to get a quick land lesson. You can learn where and how to stand on the board, how to hold your paddle, and how to stroke. It’s also a good time to familiarize yourself with all the SUP safety essentials.
2. Seek Out Calm Waters With Minimal Surf
If you are about to get on a SUP board for the first time, it’s best to avoid any unnecessary challenges. Arguably the biggest challenge for novice paddlers is rough waters.
Therefore, it’s best to seek a location with minimal surf along the shore and calm waters once you paddle out. Minimal surf will make mounting the SUP board for the first time easier and far less intimidating. Calm waters when you venture out allow the first-time paddler to focus solely on getting comfortable with this new paddling method.
3. Lakes And Bays With Wind Protection Are Ideal
Since minimal surf and calm waters are great for first-time paddlers, lakes and protected bays are an obvious choice. They are usually ideal for those looking for the perfect place to learn how to paddle on a SUP board.
Lakes, especially smaller ones, tend to have very tranquil waters and minimal surf on the shore. Well-protected bays can have similarly safe waters. If you can find a lake or bay with a sandy beach, then you have likely found a perfect location to learn how to SUP board.
4. Choose Launch Points With Ample Space And Few People
Another important factor to consider when you search for an ideal spot to learn how to SUP board is other paddlers and people in general. While you might be intimidated to be the only one paddling on a lake, you also don’t want to have to dodge crowds of paddlers.
Try to find a launch location that is not over-saturated with other people. Instead, opt for relaxed environments with few other paddlers, and plenty of space on and near the shore to practice launching and standing up on your SUP board.
5. Find A Spot Where You Can Have A Land Lesson First
When you learn how to paddle on a SUP board, the learning starts before you place a single toe in the water. The paddling technique and practical knowledge you need to SUP board should happen on land before you launch the board.
This is the time when you learn how to stand, where to stand, and how to grip and stroke your paddle. You can learn all of this near the shore so it is fresh in your mind. Therefore, opt for a location with grass or sand where you can lay the board down and learn all you need to before venturing out.
6. Warm Welcoming Waters Are A Bonus
When you are learning how to SUP, there is a very high probability that you will wobble around a bit, and possibly fall in. This is normal, and there is no need to get discouraged, as it happens to the best of us.
Because falling in is a high possibility on your first attempt, you should seek warm and pleasant waters if possible. If warm water isn’t an option, make sure you are dressed for cold water paddling.
7. Choose A Location With Ample Parking And Facilities
When you are looking for a great place to learn how to SUP board, try to make it easy on yourself. Don’t burden your day with the stress of finding parking in a popular location. Instead, opt for somewhere with ample parking and facilities like restrooms.
This will make loading and unloading much smoother. It will also create a much more relaxed start to your first SUP lesson.
Paddling Conditions To Avoid When Learning How To SUP Board
Now that you know the ideal place to learn how to SUP, it’s also important you know the locations you should avoid. You might not be able to find an idyllic lake or sandy bay to learn this watersport, but you should do your best to avoid the circumstances below.
1. Anywhere With Strong Currents
Strong currents can put even a seasoned SUP boarder in danger. When you are learning how to ride a SUP board you want as few outside elements working against you as possible. Avoid learning how to ride a SUP anywhere that is known to have strong currents or aggressive tidal changes.
2. Unprotected Waters
If it is at all possible, find a sheltered body of water to learn how to SUP board. Unprotected waters have a lot more variables. Wind can quickly change water conditions, and previously calm shores can become riddled with high surf. When possible, opt for bodies of water with more protection and fewer variables.
3. Fast-Moving Rivers
It is entirely possible to learn how to SUP board on a river, but not all rivers are the same. If you plan to learn how to ride a SUP on a river, opt for a river (or section of river) that is wide, slow-moving, and free of hazards. Learning how to ride a SUP board on a fast-moving river is unnecessarily risky, and can be quite dangerous.
4. Avoid Extremely Hot And Cold Days
Weather is a factor all paddlers must consider before heading out on a paddling adventure. Extremely hot or cold days can make learning how to paddle a miserable, and even dangerous experience. The last thing you want is to be turned off by this amazing sport simply because of a bad weather experience. To make learning paddling more fun, opt for days with mild and pleasant temperatures.
5. Avoid Areas With Hazards
Whenever possible, choose a location with no hazards. This means no shallow and sharp coral reefs, large rocks, rip tides, or other potential dangers. Avoiding hazards makes for a safe learning environment, and allows you to focus all your attention on learning the ins and outs of this watersport.
6. Windy Or Rainy Days
Wind and rain are two variables you want to look out for before you pick a day to learn how to ride a SUP board. Rain can make things slippery, and unenjoyable. It is also difficult to see and navigate in the rain.
Wind can be even more dangerous and off-putting. Not only can gusty winds knock novice paddlers off balance and into the water, but strong winds can also churn up the water. This can make conditions choppy, challenging, and even unsafe.
7. Sharp Or Rocky Bottom
Since falling in the water is a real risk when you are learning how to ride a SUP board, you should avoid bodies of water with sharp and rocky bottoms. This means avoiding shallow areas with coral reefs as well. Instead, stick to sandy waters when you are learning. This will make falling and getting back on your board a less stressful and painful endeavor.
8. Areas With Crowds Of Swimmers And Paddlers
Lastly, do your best to avoid paddling with crowds when you are learning how to navigate on a SUP board. When you are first learning how to operate a SUP board it can take all your will to stay upright and balanced.
Turning and navigation takes more time to learn and master. If you are paddling around other SUP enthusiasts, kayakers, and swimmers it can be unnecessarily daunting to both stay balanced and avoid a collision.
Concluding Notes On Ideal Conditions To Learn How To SUP
SUP boarding has exploded in popularity, and it is still on the rise. This increased interest means more people learn how to ride a SUP board each day. To ensure your learning (or teaching) experience on a SUP board is a positive one, you should opt for locations and conditions that help create an ideal learning environment.
Look for a protected bay or lake, and choose a launch point that has plenty of space. A soft sandy beach is ideal. Avoid hazards and areas with rocky or sharp bottoms. Choose pleasant weather, avoiding rain, wind, and extreme temperatures. Try to find a place with plenty of parking, and avoid learning how to paddle in waters that are saturated with swimmers and other paddlers.
Ideal Locations And Conditions For Learning How To SUP
Standup paddle boarding is arguably the fastest-growing watersport on the planet. It’s an activity you can enjoy casually or in extreme sports fashion. Before you choose what kind of SUP boarder you are going to be, however, you need to learn how to navigate on one without falling off. To make your learning experience an enjoyable and successful one you should choose a location with perfect conditions for learning how to SUP.
The ideal locations to learn how to ride a SUP board include tranquil lakes, protected bays, and calm sandy beaches. Find a location that is easy to launch your board and is also conducive to a land lesson. Avoid busy areas with lots of swimmers and paddlers. Don’t learn how to SUP anywhere around strong currents, hazards, rocky bottoms, or on windy and rainy days.
There are some very important qualities you should look for in a paddling location when you learn the fundamentals of this watersport. If you are looking to learn how to SUP, or want to teach a friend or loved one how to enjoy this activity, make sure you find a paddling location with all the criteria listed below to ensure a safe and successful paddling lesson.
Seven Ideal Locations And Conditions For Learning How To SUP
1. Look For A Location With A Soft, Sandy Beach
One of the best locations to learn how to ride a SUP board is on and near a soft sandy beach. A sandy beach is ideal for SUP beginners for a few reasons. For one, a tranquil beach is arguably the best launch point for someone mounting a SUP board for the first time.
You can wade in shallow waters with a sandy bottom as you carefully hoist yourself onto the board, and then learn to balance. The sandy bottom is also likely to come in handy when you take a few unintentional but inevitable spills into the water.
A beach is also a great spot to get a quick land lesson. You can learn where and how to stand on the board, how to hold your paddle, and how to stroke. It’s also a good time to familiarize yourself with all the SUP safety essentials.
2. Seek Out Calm Waters With Minimal Surf
If you are about to get on a SUP board for the first time, it’s best to avoid any unnecessary challenges. Arguably the biggest challenge for novice paddlers is rough waters.
Therefore, it’s best to seek a location with minimal surf along the shore and calm waters once you paddle out. Minimal surf will make mounting the SUP board for the first time easier and far less intimidating. Calm waters when you venture out allow the first-time paddler to focus solely on getting comfortable with this new paddling method.
3. Lakes And Bays With Wind Protection Are Ideal
Since minimal surf and calm waters are great for first-time paddlers, lakes and protected bays are an obvious choice. They are usually ideal for those looking for the perfect place to learn how to paddle on a SUP board.
Lakes, especially smaller ones, tend to have very tranquil waters and minimal surf on the shore. Well-protected bays can have similarly safe waters. If you can find a lake or bay with a sandy beach, then you have likely found a perfect location to learn how to SUP board.
4. Choose Launch Points With Ample Space And Few People
Another important factor to consider when you search for an ideal spot to learn how to SUP board is other paddlers and people in general. While you might be intimidated to be the only one paddling on a lake, you also don’t want to have to dodge crowds of paddlers.
Try to find a launch location that is not over-saturated with other people. Instead, opt for relaxed environments with few other paddlers, and plenty of space on and near the shore to practice launching and standing up on your SUP board.
5. Find A Spot Where You Can Have A Land Lesson First
When you learn how to paddle on a SUP board, the learning starts before you place a single toe in the water. The paddling technique and practical knowledge you need to SUP board should happen on land before you launch the board.
This is the time when you learn how to stand, where to stand, and how to grip and stroke your paddle. You can learn all of this near the shore so it is fresh in your mind. Therefore, opt for a location with grass or sand where you can lay the board down and learn all you need to before venturing out.
6. Warm Welcoming Waters Are A Bonus
When you are learning how to SUP, there is a very high probability that you will wobble around a bit, and possibly fall in. This is normal, and there is no need to get discouraged, as it happens to the best of us.
Because falling in is a high possibility on your first attempt, you should seek warm and pleasant waters if possible. If warm water isn’t an option, make sure you are dressed for cold water paddling.
7. Choose A Location With Ample Parking And Facilities
When you are looking for a great place to learn how to SUP board, try to make it easy on yourself. Don’t burden your day with the stress of finding parking in a popular location. Instead, opt for somewhere with ample parking and facilities like restrooms.
This will make loading and unloading much smoother. It will also create a much more relaxed start to your first SUP lesson.
Paddling Conditions To Avoid When Learning How To SUP Board
Now that you know the ideal place to learn how to SUP, it’s also important you know the locations you should avoid. You might not be able to find an idyllic lake or sandy bay to learn this watersport, but you should do your best to avoid the circumstances below.
1. Anywhere With Strong Currents
Strong currents can put even a seasoned SUP boarder in danger. When you are learning how to ride a SUP board you want as few outside elements working against you as possible. Avoid learning how to ride a SUP anywhere that is known to have strong currents or aggressive tidal changes.
2. Unprotected Waters
If it is at all possible, find a sheltered body of water to learn how to SUP board. Unprotected waters have a lot more variables. Wind can quickly change water conditions, and previously calm shores can become riddled with high surf. When possible, opt for bodies of water with more protection and fewer variables.
3. Fast-Moving Rivers
It is entirely possible to learn how to SUP board on a river, but not all rivers are the same. If you plan to learn how to ride a SUP on a river, opt for a river (or section of river) that is wide, slow-moving, and free of hazards. Learning how to ride a SUP board on a fast-moving river is unnecessarily risky, and can be quite dangerous.
4. Avoid Extremely Hot And Cold Days
Weather is a factor all paddlers must consider before heading out on a paddling adventure. Extremely hot or cold days can make learning how to paddle a miserable, and even dangerous experience. The last thing you want is to be turned off by this amazing sport simply because of a bad weather experience. To make learning paddling more fun, opt for days with mild and pleasant temperatures.
5. Avoid Areas With Hazards
Whenever possible, choose a location with no hazards. This means no shallow and sharp coral reefs, large rocks, rip tides, or other potential dangers. Avoiding hazards makes for a safe learning environment, and allows you to focus all your attention on learning the ins and outs of this watersport.
6. Windy Or Rainy Days
Wind and rain are two variables you want to look out for before you pick a day to learn how to ride a SUP board. Rain can make things slippery, and unenjoyable. It is also difficult to see and navigate in the rain.
Wind can be even more dangerous and off-putting. Not only can gusty winds knock novice paddlers off balance and into the water, but strong winds can also churn up the water. This can make conditions choppy, challenging, and even unsafe.
7. Sharp Or Rocky Bottom
Since falling in the water is a real risk when you are learning how to ride a SUP board, you should avoid bodies of water with sharp and rocky bottoms. This means avoiding shallow areas with coral reefs as well. Instead, stick to sandy waters when you are learning. This will make falling and getting back on your board a less stressful and painful endeavor.
8. Areas With Crowds Of Swimmers And Paddlers
Lastly, do your best to avoid paddling with crowds when you are learning how to navigate on a SUP board. When you are first learning how to operate a SUP board it can take all your will to stay upright and balanced.
Turning and navigation takes more time to learn and master. If you are paddling around other SUP enthusiasts, kayakers, and swimmers it can be unnecessarily daunting to both stay balanced and avoid a collision.
Concluding Notes On Ideal Conditions To Learn How To SUP
SUP boarding has exploded in popularity, and it is still on the rise. This increased interest means more people learn how to ride a SUP board each day. To ensure your learning (or teaching) experience on a SUP board is a positive one, you should opt for locations and conditions that help create an ideal learning environment.
Look for a protected bay or lake, and choose a launch point that has plenty of space. A soft sandy beach is ideal. Avoid hazards and areas with rocky or sharp bottoms. Choose pleasant weather, avoiding rain, wind, and extreme temperatures. Try to find a place with plenty of parking, and avoid learning how to paddle in waters that are saturated with swimmers and other paddlers.