How to paddleboard as a beginner: use a wide all-around board, start on calm, shallow water, kneel first and then stand one foot at a time, keep your feet shoulder-width apart, and wear a leash and a life jacket. WaterSportHQ editors have not paddled these boards. Each point below names the page it comes from, and any tip without a source is labeled “Editors’ rule of thumb.”
Planning an ocean trip? Read how to paddleboard in the ocean after you are comfortable on flat water. Need to move a board? See how to carry a paddle board on your car.
Pick a board that is easy to learn on
Isle says beginners “should choose an ‘all-around’ paddle board” and that these are “generally wider overall, and also have a wider nose and tail for added stability” (Isle beginner’s guide). Isle also recommends an all-around inflatable for beginners. Glide SUP says to “choose an all-around board that’s wide (around 32-34”) and about 10’6” to 11’6” long” (Glide SUP beginner guide). The WaterSportHQ guide to inflatable stand-up paddle boards lists specific boards.
Editors’ rule of thumb: racing and surf boards are built for speed and turning, so leave them until you have time on an all-around board.
Start on calm water
Glide SUP says to “start in calm, shallow water” and to “stick to calm, protected waters until you’re confident.”
Stand up from your knees
Both Isle and Glide SUP start you on your knees. Glide’s steps: place one knee at a time on the center of the board, “start on your knees to get comfortable, then rise up when you feel balanced,” and “slowly rise to standing, one foot at a time, keeping your weight centered over the middle of the board.” Glide says to place your feet where the board handle is.
Isle’s version: give the paddle “1-2 strong strokes for momentum,” get your feet flat “into a squat position, one foot at a time with your back straight,” then “grab your paddle and slowly stand up.”
The two guides differ on the details (Isle uses a squat and paddle strokes first), so try one and adjust.
Foot stance
Isle says: “Keep your feet parallel, spread shoulder width apart, and your toes pointed toward the nose.” It warns against a surf stance on flat water, which “makes paddling on the flat water ten times harder.”
Editors’ rule of thumb: look at the horizon instead of your feet, and keep your knees slightly bent.
Paddle length and grip
Sources disagree on paddle length:
- Isle: “6 to 10 inches above the height of the paddler,” longer for flat water and shorter for surf.
- Glide SUP: “about 8-10 inches taller than your height.”
- Starboard: “a Shaka length above your head.”
Editors’ rule of thumb: treat these as ranges and start near the middle.
For grip, Isle says: “Always hold the paddle with one hand on the top of the handle and the other on the shaft,” with a grip “shoulder width apart.” Starboard says the bottom hand should be “a little bit more than shoulder-width apart,” and that holding the paddle overhead with elbows bent at 90 degrees gives the grip width.
Blade direction: Isle says the “curved/concave side” faces you and the blade should be “vertical the entire length of your stroke.” Glide SUP says “blade angled forward, away from you.” Starboard says the blade is “angled forward to maximize the power of your stroke.” The wording differs, but the sources agree the blade angles forward.
Editors’ rule of thumb: use your back and torso for the stroke, not only your arms, which tire quickly.
Turn the board
Isle says: “To turn left, place the paddle in the water on the right side,” and that “the more you bend your knees, the easier it will be to turn the board.” Glide SUP adds a sweep stroke (“extend the paddle out wider and sweep in a wide arc”) and says to “paddle backward on one side to spin the board quickly.”
Falling
Starboard says “falling off is a natural part of paddling.” Glide SUP says: “Try to fall away from your board to avoid landing on it.”
To get back on, Starboard’s steps are: “Grab the handle near the tail, pull the board into you while pushing the tail down,” “pull your upper body on by grabbing on the rails,” kick, “prone paddle to retrieve paddle and place it 90 degrees across the board in front of you,” then start again on your knees (Starboard, getting back on from the tail).
Editors’ rule of thumb: pick water deep enough that you will not hit the bottom when you fall.
Leash and life jacket
Glide SUP says a leash “attaches your ankle to the board so you don’t get separated if you fall.” Isle says: “Always remember to use your leash!” and gives a leash size rule of “around the same size or slightly smaller than your board.”
The National Park Service lists “stand up paddleboards (SUP)” as vessels and says to “always wear your U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket while boating” (NPS water and vessel safety). Editors’ rule of thumb: rules vary by state and waterway, so check local rules before you go.
What this guide does not cover
Fishing, yoga and touring boards, racing and surf technique, and open-water conditions are outside this page. The ocean guide covers conditions at the coast.