‘You can learn almost instantly’: a beginner’s guide to standup paddleboarding
I love the sea, but I haven’t been able to see her for the past two years. Since the world has gotten bigger, I only want to be near the water.
Standup paddleboarding, or Sup, is the closest thing you can do to getting wet without actually getting it. You cruise, enjoy the scenery, and find a good spot to have lunch.
You can do a downward dog or dip in and out. Heck, you can even take a fishing rod.
The first records of human drinking date back to 3,000 BC. However, the modern version was created in Hawaii during the 1940s when John Ah Choy, a surfer, could not get up and down from his board.
His kids also picked up the paddle, and it quickly spread around the world.
Most Australian waterways are now home to paddleboarding. When you try it, you’ll see why.
You can start learning almost immediately. Just hop on and stand up when you are comfortable. Simple.
Nic Cooper has been drinking for many years. He’s so passionate about it that he makes it his job to show tourists around Victoria the best spots.
“I’m hardcore into it. I am not one of the people who do marathon SUPs or other things like that. He says, “I love to be out on the ocean and chill.”
I see it as relaxation.
Cooper claims he has never had a pupil who couldn’t. Some stayed on their knees, but it was still fun, especially when you were cruising by turtles, dolphins, and kangaroos.
He says that depending on your balance and other things like that, it is possible to become pretty good within a short time.
Cooper, who says that the sport is a great fit for all body types and ages, believes it to be a very egalitarian one. “I believe it has made water sports more accessible to everyone.”
After you have mastered the basics, it’s time to refine your technique and get the most from each stroke. This is not essential for beginners, but it’s necessary if you want to participate in a race or Sup along a river.
Cooper explains that “bending your knees while you move forward, and… leaning on your paddle… will give you the maximum propulsion.”
Even a slight twist of your paddle as it leaves the water at the back can make it more efficient.
Cooper’s advice before we started our lesson on Melbourne’s waters was to “never turn back.” Of course, this is what I forgot as a turtle swam underneath me.
I spun around quickly and fell from paddleboarding. I was able to stay dry and out of the way of our photographer.
It was like valium for water sports.
I asked if the sport is as equal in price and skill as it is in price. We were drifting on the ocean off Mt Martha Beach, surrounded by “shacks” from the peninsula that cost $2m. How much does it really cost to get a regular dose of bliss by sitting on a surfboard?
Not much, or quite a lot, says Cooper.
To try Sup, the easiest and cheapest way is to hire a board or book a session.
Board hire costs around $30 for 60 minutes, depending on where you live. You can pay $60 per hour for a lesson that will ensure you know the basics or help you find the best spots.
What you plan to use your gear for will determine whether or not you buy it.
Cooper says that if they plan to take long trips, such as 20 or 30 km along the coast or other large distances, they will need a long and thin touring board. Cooper suggests something stable and wide for activities such as yoga.
The cheapest SUP I could find on the internet was a blow-up board that cost $200 without a pump. Cooper says that the price differences are based on quality, ease of use, and weight. The more expensive boards are lighter and last longer while also being easier to blow up.
He says to avoid buying the cheapest boards “because they’re just going to break.”
Secondhand boards are the best option for a great deal. A new high-quality board will cost around $900.
It’s not just a sport for one person. Enthusiasts are welcome to join local clubs or plan vacations around their favorite activity.
You can put them in your backpack and go to some amazing places. Once you are confident that you won’t fall off, you can go anywhere.