Trying Paddleboarding tomorrow

[Iguessyourestuckwithme]

Not 100% sure why I've signed up to this as I'm overweight and have no real coordination.

Any tips?

Keep your knees bent and your balance equal between your feet. Go slowly, and enjoy it! It's really not very difficult! You'll have a great time.

No tips. I fancy trying it myself but I know once you fall off it’s very hard to get back on again. I don’t have the upper body strength and I’m overweight so think I’ll never be able to get back on! Might keep me fit trying though!

It's great fun! Much easier to try to stand up when you're moving and look ahead rather than down at your board

Stay on your knees if you're unsteady. No shame in it as a beginner

It’s great fun, my advice would be to jump in early so you’re already wet and it gets you over the fear of falling in!

I tried it. I loved it and didn't fall in but.....I looked very very ungainly though (also not the slimmest person out there)

I had visions of looking like those people that effortlessly glide down the river but it wasn't to be.

I was in the Thames in SW London trying to avoid other boats.

Look straight ahead not at your feet or at what your paddle is doing.

I tried it recently too and absolutely loved it. Don't worry about trying to stand. For your 1st go just enjoy being on the water-you can kneel, sit cross legged or dangle legs either side of the board. It's easy to move between these positions. Stay in the centre of the board, by the grab handle. When you paddle keep the oar close to the board.

If you feel ready to stand then go into a downward dog position with the paddle across the board, keep your eyes on the horizon. If you get the wobbles just go back into kneeling.

It was one of the few things I've ever done that's easier than it looks.

Loved it - but am totally rubbish at it!!

Knees first. Keep them bent as you stand, good long strokes with the paddle. Use the paddle for support as you stand up if feeling wobbly. You'll probably find you use your feet/toes to keep your balance a lot which can be uncomfortable to start, so try to remember to keep your knees bent, shoulders back.

Wear something on your feet to protect them if you fall in. I didn't and hurt my feet a lot trying to get back on..it was on a lake. Its much harder than it looks but I really enjoyed it.

Thank you!

It was a spur of the moment thing - seize the day and all that!

Have fun, OP. Am wildly jealous. I am enormously fat (my own fault) and really feel like I am missing out on this, and kayaking, due to being physically incapable. Next year, hopefully...

Enjoy it! I love seeing new people starting out, so don't worry about wobbling we have all been there.

And ask your instructor for tips and coaching on getting back on. There's a knack to it that makes it easier . I am overweight and have limited upper body strength due for illness /disability but once I had had some coaching I found it was fine.

Don't worry about technique or coordination or what you might look like, just have fun.
There's absolutely no shame in not being able to stand up, if you don't feel ready for that then keep on your knees. Don't put any pressure on yourself, just enjoy the moment.
It's like learning to drive a car, you see other people doing it and they might make it look easy, but it takes some people longer than others.

If you do stand up, but then feel like you're going to fall in, just go with it and try to fall away from your board. It's a softer landing if you fall in the water rather than smacking your body against the board.

Managed an hours lesson, mainly on my knees but did get up to standing for a small part of it.

Thanks for the advice 😀

did U have fun?

Well done!
If you're tempted to go again you'll find it really starts to click into place the next time

I did have fun, although I really panicked when they were trying to get me to stand up!

I will definitely go again. My goal is to stand up now!

My legs! You didn't warn me about how my legs would feel today :😀

Well done!
(I've tried paddle boarding a few times on holiday, and punting once... Fun but I think I prefer my watersports sitting down.)

Not surprised you are aching! It is really really good for your core and quads!!