1. A Beginner’s Guide to Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP)
The fastest growing watersport in the world!

2. What is Stand Up Paddleboarding?
Modern stand up paddle boarding originated in Hawaii in the 1990’s by surf legend Laird Hamilton as an offshoot of surfing
Ancient Hawaiian, Peruvian, and African culture had forms of paddle boarding
Traditional surfers must wait for a wave to ride
Stand up paddle boarders use a paddle to propel themselves through the water

3. Who Can Stand Up Paddleboard?
Everyone!!

4. Weather
Beginners will want to choose CALM weather!

5. Dress (you will get wet!) and Protection
Personal
Floatation
Device
Bathing suit
Wet suit and
water shoes
(optional)
Sunscreen

6. Get Ready! Choose Equipment!
The Pro’s at the rental shop will help you choose:
Paddle: 6 – 10 inches taller than you
Board: 8-12 feet long (a wider, longer, thicker board is best for beginners)
Leash: a velcro strap attaches your ankle to the board for safety!!

7. Mount and Navigate your SUP

8. Tips Start out in flat, calm water
Place the paddle on the board and use it as an outrigger
Hold the board by the rails (one hand will also be holding the paddle grip)
Climb onto the board in a kneeling position, just behind the center point of the board

9. Tips Get a feel for the balance point of the board
Stand up on the board one foot at a time
Place your feet where your knees were 

10. SUP Paddle
Hand position: One at the top of handle, and the other hand holds the paddle in front of you
Keep the blade angle facing away from you

11. SUP Stance Feet parallel, shoulder-width apart
Knees bent and back straight
Keep your head and shoulders steady and upright, and shift your weight by moving your hips
Look forward, avoid staring at your feet 

12. Stroke Tip

13. Tips for Forward Stroke
Pull your top arm toward your body to extend the paddle forward
Rotate your top shoulder forward and extend your reach
Stay in a straight line, take a few strokes on one side then switch to a few strokes on the other side

14. Turning with the Forward Sweep Stroke
To turn left, place the paddle in the water on the right side
At the same time, turn your body to the left side
Pull the paddle to the right towards the tail, while twisting and leaning to the left with your body
To turn right, reverse the above directions😊

15. Tips
At first, keep your strokes fairly short and close alongside the board
To go in a reasonably straight line, paddle about 4 or 5 strokes on one side, then switch to the other
Once you’re comfortable, dip the blade fully into the water and take a long stroke, letting your large back muscles do the work

16. When You Fall-Be Calm and Cool
Aim yourself to the side, fall into the water not onto the board
If you get separated from your paddle and your board, get your board first, then paddle it to retrieve the paddle

17. Where to SUP in Vancouver
On the North Shore: Downtown: Deep Cove Canoe & Kayak Ecomarine Paddlesports (Granville Island, Kitsalano, English Bay)