How to Stand Up Paddle Board by Paddle North
TOP TEN SUP TIPS FOR BEGINNERS
THE THREE STATE LAWS YOU NEED TO KNOW
FIN PLACEMENT & PADDLE TECHNIQUE
Ten tips for making your first SUP experience fun and enjoyable.
Personal floatation device (PFD's) requirements, state registration and display requirements.
Learn the basics that maximize each paddle stroke and your core body workout.
“NEARLY EVERY BODY OF WATER, WORLDWIDE, IS A PLAYGROUND FOR STANDUP PADDLERS.” -MARINA ANDRIOLA, STANDUP JOURNAL
HOW TO STAND UP PADDLE BOARD | PADDLENORTH.COM
welcome to SUP. WE STAND FOR ADVENTURE. STAND WITH US.
An introduction to SUP
Topics
If surfing and kayaking had a baby, it
This guide covers important topics for
would be stand up paddle boarding.
people who are new to SUP, covering a
Commonly referred to as SUP, the
range of topics, including:
sport is the fastest growing watersport
•
Pro tips
in North America.
•
Paddling technique
•
Fin Placement
Much of its popularity stemmed from
•
Transportation
its ability to provide a low impact, full
•
Board storage
body cardio workout. SUP can burn
•
SUP maintenance
anywhere from 300 to 1000 calories
•
State Laws
per hour (depending on what you put into it!) while actively engaging core muscle groups, like your back, shoulders, abs, arms, legs, and butt.
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sup technique FLATWATER SUP IS AS VERSATILE AS THE 10,000 BEAUTIFUL LAKES OF MINNESOTA.
PADDLING TECHNIQUE
your weight. All Paddle North boards are 30’’ or wider, this provides a strong
Paddling might initially seem counter
starting point for stable boards. If
intuitive, as the natural tendency of
balance is an issue, consider a board
the paddle is to scoop the water, but
with additional length or width.
be sure to face the paddle angle out. For Paddle North paddles, this means
TURNING
the loon logo faces forward. The
Making turns on your board can be
paddle angle is built to support you
straightforward. To turn right, paddle
when standing on the board, providing
on the left. Turning left? Paddle on the
a smooth transition and submersion
right. This will provide an elongated
of the bamboo blade. To maximize
circle turn. A more efficient turn is
power, keep the shaft vertical, and
to paddle in reverse by performing a
perform 4-5 strokes on each side
back paddle. The third turning option
before switching.
is called a sweeping stroke, in which
CORE FOCUS
the side of the board (not vertical not
It’s all about your core. It may sound
SUP strokes), turning the board to the
weird, but focus on using your arms
opposite side of the stroke.
as little as possible. Be sure to utilize the strongest muscles in your body
ITS OK TO FALL
to provide the most efficient paddle
Falls happen. When they do, make
stroke.
sure you fall away from the board to
BALANCE
avoid possible injury. If you happen to lose your paddle mid-fall, get your
When paired with the right board, you
board first and then hand paddle over
should feel a natural sense of balance.
to your SUP paddle.
If you feel too tippy, it may be that you don’t have enough board to support
04
the paddler performs like strokes to
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FIN PLACEMENT Fins are critical to the success of paddling. Without any fins, the board would be turning in circles with each stroke. Fin placement can be a major topic, depending on what you are trying to get out of your ride. Installing the fin is simple, start by inputting the square nut into the board fin box and sliding it to the front of the box. Then slide the center fin pin into the fin box and tighten the fin to the square nut with a philips drive. The side thruster fins are held in the board by a set screw, simply loosen these with a hex key and slip in the fins. Tighten until you get light resistance (careful not to over torque and strip the screw). The fin can be positioned a few different ways. Positioning the fin more forward in the board box (toward the nose), will make it easier to perform turns. If you have a route that requires many turns or obstacle course going around buoys, this would be the preferred placement. Most paddlers seek maximum tracking, which means the fin should be placed as far back as possible. This position maximizes each paddle stroke, allowing the paddler to go in a straight line for longer, increasing the number of strokes per side before a swap in necessary.
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Transportation, Storage & Maintenance Paddle boards are not small. Getting your board to the water can require a bit of thought. All Paddle North boards come standard with a build-in center handle that distributes the weight evenly to carry for long distances. Simply flip the board up to its side and carry the board to the water with the paddle in the opposite hand. If traveling long distances in a car, it’s critical to have a racking solution that secures the board. Many options are on the market, while it is possible that surf or even kayak racks have potential for fitting your board, we recommend a SUP specific rack. There is nothing more annoying than listening to a loud car rack and worrying about it flying off the top of the vehicle on the freeway. Our favorite soft rack is made by Minneapolis company, Otium Outdoors. Easy to put on, secures the
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board quickly and can fit up to two Loon paddle boards without issue. If the fins are staying on the board, we recommend putting the board padside down with the nose facing the front of the vehicle. While some may think a towel with straps is enough to secure the board, trust us, it’s not worth the risk. Your board requires very little, to any ongoing maintenance. In salt water environments, we recommend washing the water off after each use. The most critical part of board maintenance is in how you store the board. It should be kept out of direct sunlight, as sunlight exposed for long durations without the board in the water can negatively impact the fiberglass finish and begin to yellow the bamboo. State Laws State laws can vary on registration requirements and personal flotation device regulations. Minnesota requires registration on all boards over 10’ long, which costs about $10 for three years. As of 12/01/14, you only have to display the license decal and not the license numbers on a SUP. All persons 10 years old and under must wear a life jacket. Paddlers over 10 years of age can get away with tucking it under the Paddle North 4-prong bungee system.
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top 10 sup tips 01
your first time out
Before mounting the board, ensure the board is in the water with enough floatation for the fin to clear the bottom of the shore.
02
it's ok to kneel
It’s ok to paddle on your knees until you are comfortable enough to stand.
03
not all boards are equal
Find the right board that supports your level of balance and weight. Demo a board if you think balance may be an issue.
04
maximize each stroke
Paddle from the top of the handle and hold the paddle grip at shoulder width apart. Short grips provide significantly less power.
05
no surf stances here
Foot placement should be aligned near the center carrying handle, shoulder width apart and parallel to each other.
06
leverage your core
The paddle blade should fully submerge with each stroke, while leveraging your core muscles to execute the actual strokes.
07
falling is ok
It’s ok to fall. If separated with paddle, get your board first (don’t worry, paddles float!).
08
don't watch your feet
Look forward at the horizon, keeping your head up, back straight, knees unlocked and your weight over your toes. This will help with balance.
09
store the board properly
10
go forward
Don’t store your board in direct sunlight. Always store in a shaded environment.
Forward momentum increases stability.
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