How Hard Is Stand Up Paddle Boarding?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Stand up paddle boarding isn’t hard

. It’s a blast to learn and most people are able to get the hang of it on their first time out. We’re going to take you through a method to help you improve at paddle boarding in a few easy steps.

How easy is stand up paddle boarding?

Stand up paddle boarding is an

incredibly easy water sport to learn

, and you can become an expert paddle boarder in no time. People of all ages and fitness levels are capable of learning to paddle board in just a few hours with proper instruction.

Is paddle boarding harder than kayaking?

Paddling Long Distances


Standing for very long periods of time on a paddleboard (especially when conditions are less than ideal) is much more challenging than kayaking

due to cramping and fatigue. However, this can also be framed in whether you are looking for a more intense workout or not.

Is it easy to fall off a paddle board?

Can you sit on a stand up paddle board?


Yes, you can sit, kneel, stand, lay down, squat, do yoga poses or jump off a paddleboard and swim

. There is no rule saying how you have to use a stand up paddleboard. Use it in whatever way you are comfortable with.

Can you lose weight paddle boarding?


SUP is a full-body workout that can burn significant pounds for an hour’s worth of activity

. For example, if a man weighing 140 lbs does SUP for about 60 minutes, they can burn an average of 385 calories. A woman of the same weight can burn 436 calories, based on a study conducted by Arizona State University.

How do you paddle board for beginners?

Staying Balanced on a SUP


Position your feet so they are parallel, about hip-width distance apart, and centered between the edges of the board

. Keep your toes pointed forward, knees slightly bent and your back straight. Keep your head and shoulders steady and upright, and shift your weight by moving your hips.

How do you paddleboard for the first time?

Is paddle boarding tiring?

This may sound a little weird at first but paddling is best done by your core. These are the strongest muscles of your body and provide the most effective power for your paddle stroke.

Standing up tall and using just your arms to paddle, will be very tiring

and you won’t get much power.

Are stand up paddle boards fun?

There’s so much more to paddle boarding than just doing the activity.

Not only is it fun, but it’s a whole experience for your body to enjoy

. Plus, it helps improve the current state of your mind and body in a calm and soothing environment on the water.

Is stand up paddle board good exercise?


Yes, stand up paddleboarding is an excellent workout

. Few activities provide such an extensive range, from upper body training to leg work and core strength building. At the same time, it’s also a fairly low-intensity and fun thing to do.

How fast can a stand up paddle board go?

A comfortable average speed is about

3-4 knots

, on a regular all-round paddleboard. More wave-orientated boards are slower, while specialized race boards can be up to 8 knots fast. The ideal conditions (aside from surfing) is no wind days or get the wind behind you and do a downwinder.

Can you kneel on a paddle board?

Why do my legs hurt after paddle boarding?

But the typical muscle soreness that you feel after a workout becomes very real the next morning. When paddleboarding,

you are using a lot of the smaller muscles that you don’t typically use

, causing them to be sore the next few days.

What muscles are used in stand up paddle boarding?

The main muscle groups that are being activated during a paddle are your

mid back muscles (latissimus Dorsi), Shoulders (deltoids), Arms (triceps & biceps) and abs

. Paddle Boarding is an all-body workout which has more than just the physical rewards, it can also restore your balance and calms your spirit.

How much weight can a stand up paddle board hold?

Paddle boards can hold an average of

200 to 300 pounds

. But boards that hold 500 pounds or more are widely available. Paddle boards are weight-rated by individual manufacturers in pounds or by volume. SUPs themselves can weigh from 15 to 40 lbs, which factors into how much weight they can hold.

Can you use a paddleboard like a kayak?

Simply put,

your stand up paddleboard becomes a kayak

. All you have to do is add the seat and modify your paddle. The best SUP companies specifically design their boards so a kayak seat can be easily added and you paddle effortlessly modified.

Is a paddle board faster than a kayak?


When it comes to straight-line speed the kayak is faster than a SUP in most cases

. Both kayaks and SUPs have a variety of shapes that are designed for specific purposes. So while kayaks are generally faster in the water than SUPs, that’s not always the case.

How many calories does an hour of stand up paddle boarding burn?

How many calories do you burn paddle boarding? On average, you’ll burn

330 to 460 calories

per hour while recreational paddle boarding. That’s twice the calories you’d burn walking your neighborhood! The average, recreational (all around) paddle is done on calm water with light winds at a walking pace.

How do you get in shape for paddle boarding?

  1. Paddle Squats – Works out your quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, and calves. …
  2. Jumping Lunges – Good for building strength in your hamstrings, glutes and calves. …
  3. Plank Walkouts. …
  4. Press Ups – Great for strengthening chest, front of shoulders, abdominals as well as your lower back.

Do you need a lesson to paddle board?

Do I need paddleboard lessons? This is a common question people ask when they first get into SUP.

The answer is a definite yes

! As a certified paddleboard instructor, I might be slightly biased but there is no better and safer way to learn the sport than with an introductory SUP lesson from a qualified instructor.

How do you hold a SUP paddle?

Can you paddle board on the ocean?


Absolutely! But you’ll need a high-quality epoxy or inflatable stand up paddle board with some specific features in order to do so safely

. Stability is crucial when it comes to navigating open waves, be sure to choose an iSUP with a wide deck that allows you to take a steady stance for better balance.

Do you need a wetsuit for paddleboarding?

Keeping warm on the water/ what to wear paddleboarding


In the lead up to summer, other seasons of the year or if you often feel the cold, a wetsuit is advisable

. This will keep you warm whilst on the board as well as if you fall in the water! Being warm will enable you to paddle for longer too.

How do you know if your paddle is backwards?

Jasmine Sibley
Author
Jasmine Sibley
Jasmine is a DIY enthusiast with a passion for crafting and design. She has written several blog posts on crafting and has been featured in various DIY websites. Jasmine's expertise in sewing, knitting, and woodworking will help you create beautiful and unique projects.