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How to Get Started Paddle Boarding (and Why You Should)

Dec 12, 2021

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Paddle boarding has seen a surge in popularity, thanks in part to superior equipment that’s become available in recent years, and also simply to being the latest trend in physical activity.


Whatever the case, paddle boarding is a fun and relaxing recreational exercise that can improve your health and improve your mental well-being at the same time. Here’s the best way to get started.


The Benefits of Paddle Boarding


First, you should know more about the benefits of paddle boarding:




  • A full-body workout. Spending time on a paddle board is great exercise. You’ll be standing the entire time, or at least most of it, and you’ll have to maintain your balance on the water. This engages your lower body and your core simultaneously. While you’re doing that, you’ll also be using your arms, back, and shoulders to paddle. Despite the complexity of your movements, it isn’t an intensive workout, and even people with limited physical capacity can enjoy it.

  • The great outdoors. Studies show that human beings are happier when they spend ample time outdoors. It feels good to breathe fresh air and it’s healthy for your eyes to focus at the far horizon. Paddle boarding gives you an opportunity to connect with the local waters, whether you’re on a lake or a small river, and it often brings you through forested areas and other places that have beautiful natural scenery.

  • Fun with friends. Paddle boarding is an activity you can do alone, but it’s also a terrific pursuit to enjoy among friends. All of you will be exerting yourselves physically and exploring the space at the same time, and you’ll have sufficient downtime to chat throughout the experience. It’s a perfect opportunity to bond with people or just make some shared memories.

  • Stress relief. For a variety of reasons, including some already mentioned, paddle boarding tends to relieve stress. The combination of escaping your normal routine, getting exercise, and being outdoors with no other responsibilities can swiftly quell your anxieties and help you develop a new perspective.

  • Mental stimulation (and the learning curve). It’s not hard to learn how to paddle board, but there is a bit of a learning curve. You’ll have to spend some time learning the proper posture and the right techniques, and developing your personal style. This pastime provides you with mental stimulation and a fun challenge that can keep you busy for years to come.


Getting Started


What does it take to get started?




  • Take a class. One option is to take a paddle boarding class, assuming one is taught in your area. This isn’t a guarantee, especially if you don't have any local waters that are suitable for paddle boarding. For a small fee, though, you might be able to partner up with a good teacher and learn all the fundamentals in a controlled and safe environment. Once you have a decent grasp of the basics, you’ll be ready to venture out on your own and improve your skills.

  • Find a coach or mentor. A second option is to find a coach or mentor who is willing to teach you about paddle boarding in person. Many people who love to paddle board are passionate about the hobby and would like nothing more than to teach someone new about it. As long as you’re respectful of other people’s time, you can request a mini lesson or some tips on how to get started without immediately crashing.

  • Watch some videos. It takes physical practice to gain mastery over paddle boarding, but you don’t have to be on the water to learn how it works. Just by watching some instructional videos and miming the actions in your own living room, you can start building the fundamental skills required to paddle board successfully.

  • Rent a paddle board. If you’re not sure whether you’re going to like this hobby, you should know it’s possible to rent a paddle board from a local rental shop. Prices to borrow the gear briefly tend to be low and the arrangement is noncommittal, so you won’t be out much if you learn you don’t like paddle boarding.

  • Just go for it. Of course, if you know you’re going to love this activity, you can just buy a board and start using it; most people pick up paddle boarding quickly with little to no training. After just a few minutes of standing on your board, you’ll develop a sense of how to balance on it. After a few practice sessions, you should be ready to hold your own in an environment with more experienced boarders.


There are many ways to get started with paddle boarding, and all of them have the potential to introduce you to a new, potentially favorite hobby. Even if you don’t instantly take to the sport, you’ll have fun exploring the waters temporarily … and you’ll generate some fun stories to tell.