As a beginner paddler you should take a SUP Lesson.
As an intermediate paddler you should take a SUP Lesson.
As an advanced paddler you should take a SUP Lesson.
Why is that? Because learning from an actual SUP Instructor is the quickest, most effectively way to get started paddling, learn more advanced techniques, and hone your paddle strokes for safe, effective paddling no matter your skill level.
The trick is to take lessons from a certified instructor or coach with the highest levels of certification you can find. Why? Because not everyone who claims to be an instructor really knows what they are doing, or even how to teach!
Why You Should Not Take a SUP Lesson As a Beginner
Let’s start here. It seems to be the default position amongst armchair quarterbacks on facebook groups. So let’s talk about it. First is availability. There are many more places to start paddling than there are qualified instructors. So if you are are in an area where you can’t seem to find an instructor, then by all means look up some tutorials and get going! Or better yet, chances are those places have paddling clubs or groups (even facebook groups), that you can join to find other people to paddle with and potentially help you as a new paddler.
In case you are wondering where to look for SUP Instructors, check out the American Canoe Association’s Find an Instructor tool, or the PSUPA instructor directory. These are the two biggest instructional organizations in the US. In Canada, look for Paddle Canada certifications, and in the UK look for British Canoeing instructors.
“My friend says SUP is easy and I don’t need a class to learn.” Your friend is both right and wrong. One of the best things about SUP is its low barrier to entry. Basically anyone can get on a SUP and start going on their knees or butt, and most can figure out how to stand up on their own. But, SUP is also extremely technical. The Venn Diagram of people who think SUP is too easy to need a class and the people who hold their paddle backwards is quite overlapped. That doesn’t even get into things like effective stroke technique. Beyond that basic bit of information, there are loads of things that new paddlers will do that make SUP hard, less fun, and less safe.
If all you plan to do is sit on your board and putz around the shore, well, I’m not really even sure why you are reading this post. If you are reading this post you’ve shown a significant amount of interest in the sport and should take a lesson to get started on the right foot!
Things You’ll Learn in a SUP Lesson As a Beginner
Beginners will learn a huge amount of information in their first lesson with a qualified instructor:
- Basic SUP Safety
- Setting up your SUP and paddle
- Understanding your local environmental conditions
- Multiple ways to self rescue
- How to turn effectively
- How to paddle straight (-ish, it’s honestly a hard skill)
- How to stand and feel stable
- and more
Those skills at a base level may seem self explanatory, but the number of self-taught paddlers who can’t effectively turn, paddle straight, or get back on their board quickly is very high. That’s not to say it’s impossible, but the learning curve can be quite steep for self-learning when it comes to anything other than “punter paddling” or “johnny boater strokes” depending on where you come from.
If you’ve made an investment in your SUP, make an investment in yourself. Learn from an expert and get out on the water faster and safer.
If you’re not sure you want to make an investment in SUP, then definitely take a lesson! The instructor will provide quality equipment and get you out on the water quickly and safely to give you the best possible time on the water and set you up for success.
SUP Lessons as Intermediate and Advanced Paddlers
We never stop learning whether it’s stand-up paddleboarding or anything else. As we progress from beginner to intermediate to advanced paddlers there are new techniques, fine-tune adjustments, and things like fitness and nutrition regimens that we could all stand to learn a bit more about.
While a SUP Lesson built for beginners will be a waste of time for intermediate and advanced paddlers, SUP lessons that focus on these new skills or honing our existing skills can make big advances toward our paddling goals. You may have to start looking farther away to find more advanced instructors and coaches depending on your skill level, but finding the right instructor can be one of the most beneficial things you do at any point in your journey.