Master Essential Paddleboarding Techniques to Boost Balance, Efficiency, and Confidence

Paddle boarding is a great way to enjoy the water, but mastering the right techniques can significantly enhance your experience. Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to improve and refine your skills, focusing on correct techniques will boost your balance, paddling efficiency, and overall enjoyment on the water. In this guide, we’ll break down some of the key paddleboarding techniques to get you started, along with tips for more advanced paddlers.

1. Standing and Balancing

The first hurdle for many beginners is learning how to stand up and balance on the paddle board. Balance is the foundation of paddleboarding, and mastering it early will make everything else much easier. Here’s how to start:

• Start in Calm Waters: Find a location with calm, flat water—such as a lake or sheltered bay—where you can focus on your technique without worrying about waves, winds or currents. It’s easier to balance when the water is steady.
• Positioning on the Board: Begin by kneeling in the middle of the board to get a feel for its stability. Once you’re comfortable, place your feet in line with the board’s center handle (the center of balance). Keep your feet parallel and about hip-width apart. Avoid standing too far forward or backward, as this can destabilize the board.
• Knees Slightly Bent: Standing up straight with stiff knees will make you more likely to lose balance. Instead, bend your knees slightly and engage your core muscles to help maintain stability. By keeping the knees soft, this stance will allow you to react quickly to small shifts in the water beneath you.
• Eyes on the Horizon: It’s tempting to look down at your feet, but focusing on the horizon or an object in the distance will improve your balance. Looking down can cause your upper body to lean forward, making you more susceptible to falling.

2. The Proper Paddle Stroke

Paddling is the core of paddleboarding, and mastering a few basic strokes will improve your efficiency and make paddling on the water much easier. There’s more to it than just dipping the paddle in the water; using the right techniques will conserve energy, increase efficiency and enhance your control.

• Forward Stroke: The forward stroke is the most important technique for moving your board. To perform it correctly:
• Start by reaching forward with your paddle, keeping the blade angled toward the water. Most paddle blades are angled so the blade hits the water at around a 60º angle.
• Submerge the blade fully in the water. Making sure to keep the blade close to the rail of the paddle board.
• Pull the paddle backward in a straight line alongside the board, keeping the blade close to the edge of the board. Keeping the blade in a straight line through the stroke and close to the paddle board helps the board travel in a straight path.
• Use your torso to rotate through the stroke as you paddle, engaging your core muscles. This technique prevents overworking your arms and shoulders and distributes the effort across your whole body.
• Finish the stroke by lifting the paddle out of the water when it reaches your heels.
• If the board starts to veer towards the opposite side of the paddle stroke, you can switch sides with the paddle.

• Beginners often rely too much on their arms, which leads to fatigue and inefficiency. By using your core and back muscles, you’ll paddle more efficiently and for longer durations.
• Sweep Stroke (Turning the Board): The sweep stroke is a good stroke to learn for steering your board. Whether you need to make minor adjustments or a full turn, this stroke will allow you to pivot smoothly:

Backwards sweep stroke:

• Begin by placing the paddle in the water at the tail of the board (near your feet).
• Sweep the paddle out in a wide arc away from the board toward the front, using your torso to rotate and guide the stroke. Keeping your knees extra soft through the stroke.
• As you complete the stroke, the board will begin to turn in the opposite direction of your paddle stroke.

Forwards sweep stroke:

• Begin by placing the paddle in the water at the front of the board.
• Sweep the paddle out in a wide arc away from the board toward the tail, using your torso to rotate and guide the stroke. Keeping your knees extra soft through the stroke.
• As you complete the stroke, the board will begin to turn in the opposite direction of your paddle stroke.
• The wider the arc, the more significant the turn. This technique is particularly useful when you need to turn quickly or adjust your direction in tight spaces.
• Reverse Stroke (Braking and Steering): The reverse stroke serves multiple purposes: it allows you to brake, slow down, or steer backward. It’s a helpful stroke to learn, especially in tight spots or coming into land:
• Insert the paddle into the water at your feet , such out with your lower hand on the shaft toward the front of the board.
• This will create resistance, slowing your board down or even bringing it to a stop.

3. How to Fall Safely

Falling is a natural part of paddleboarding, especially when you’re just starting. The key is to know how to fall safely and recover to avoid injury or getting into difficulty.

• Falling Away from the Board: When you feel yourself losing balance, try to fall away from the board and into the water. Paddle boards can be heavy, and falling onto the hard surface could cause injury. Falling into water provides a much softer landing!
• Hold onto Your Paddle: Always try to keep hold of your paddle when you fall. If you let go, it can float away from you, and retrieving it in rough conditions could be challenging.
• Leash for Retrieval: The leash attached to your ankle or calf will keep you connected to your board, preventing it from drifting away. This is especially important in windy or choppy conditions, where the board could very quickly get carried off by the wind or current.

4. Paddling in Windy Conditions

Even the calmest days on the water can quickly turn windy, and knowing how to adapt to changing weather is important for maintaining control of your paddle board. Here are some tips for paddling in windy  or choppy conditions:

• Kneel on the Board: When the wind picks up, it’s best to lower your center of gravity by kneeling on the board. This reduces your surface area to the wind and makes it easier to control the board. It’s also a safer option when the water gets choppier, as a lower center of gravity means you’re less likely to fall off.
• Shorter, Quicker Strokes: In windy conditions, long, slow strokes won’t give you the power needed to push against the wind. Instead, use shorter, quicker strokes to maintain momentum and keep moving forward.
• Angle Your Body: If you're paddling against the wind, face your body slightly to one side to minimize drag. This reduces the surface area that the wind hits, making it easier to paddle forward.
• Plan Your Route: When possible, try to paddle in sheltered areas like bays or along the shoreline, where the wind might be less intense. Always consider the wind direction when planning your return trip. If you start by paddling with the wind, the return journey against the wind could be much more difficult.

5. Advanced Techniques for Confident Paddlers

Once you’ve mastered the basics, there are a few advanced techniques that can improve your paddleboarding skills:

• Cross Bow Turn: This is an advanced turning technique used by experienced paddlers. To perform a cross-bow turn, paddle on one side of the board and then reach the paddle across the front of your body to the opposite side. Sweep the paddle in a wide arc, which will quickly spin your board around. This is especially useful in competitive paddleboarding or when navigating narrow spaces. This move is best performed when your feet are spread across the board one in front of the other rather than side by side.
• Pivot Turn: The pivot turn is a more advanced maneuver where you step back toward the tail of the board, causing the nose to lift out of the water. Using a combination of sweeping strokes and body weight, you can pivot the board on its tail, making quick, sharp turns. This technique is ideal for surfing or racing situations but requires good balance and practice.

The Takeaway

Paddle boarding is as much about technique as it is about having the right equipment. By focusing on balance, proper paddle strokes, and safety practices, you can quickly build the skills needed to enjoy this water sport with confidence. As you progress, you’ll be able to tackle more challenging water conditions and explore advanced maneuvers, making paddleboarding an exciting and rewarding activity for years to come.