So I finally bought a paddle board. It's a second-hand 12'6 x 28.5 old-school NSP job in sound condition. It's my first board and I went for my first paddle today in flat conditions.


I'm 185cm and weigh 105kg but am getting back to my standard weight of 95-100kg fairly quickly.

The board is really tippy, I can stay up for about 5 minutes but then succumb to gravity.

Does it take a while to get your paddle board legs or should I have bought a bigger board? I really wanted a 14 footer but my I'm a bit tight on cash at the moment and only had $500 spare, which is what my board cost.

Get your stance right, keep your centre of gravity low, bend your knees and practice, practice, practice.

don't get disheartened it will take you a little while to be comfortable.

Google Dave Kalama and watch his instruction videos.

ET.

Stick at it.
My first board was a 12'6" x 30" fanatic, and first try I thought I had bought a "swim next to it" paddleboard, rather than a stand up.
Retreated, regrouped, second go a couple of hours later I successfully paddled out and around a mooring buoy and back, probably 100m total.
Feet hurt for about the first year, trying too hard to balance.
What ET said, and relax. The board is not actually going to tip you off if you do nothing. Try not to overcompensate.

28.5 kinda narrow, get up real early for the glassy conditions you will find it a lot easier at the start.

Yup..... look for FLAT water to get your legs broken in. Smile. Smiling helps relax those "happy feet"

Thanks guys. No luck with glassy water at Margate at the moment, but I did manage to stay up for about 10 minutes today untill a good impromptu dunking!
I think I'm getting the hang of it...but it's certainly not a passtime I'd contemplate with a phone in my pocket!

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AshleyM said..
Thanks guys. No luck with glassy water at Margate at the moment, but I did manage to stay up for about 10 minutes today untill a good impromptu dunking!
I think I'm getting the hang of it...but it's certainly not a passtime I'd contemplate with a phone in my pocket!

Use your paddle as a stability tool as well. You will get used to it

Are you paddling in the ocean or a creek? The ocean will be a lot harder than a lake or creek.

28.5 should be plenty wide enough to start on. Have a look at the Brissup FB page they often advertise training which will help you out as well. Practice makes perfect!

That board is not that stable , little tuff to learn on but you'll get it. One more bit of advice is stop and rest before you burn your legs and arches in your feet ,sit down & take a couple of minute break and go again.

Thanks for the tips guys.
I'm paddling at Margate, which is in moreton Bay, the creeks and canals up here are a bit too bull sharkie for my liking, especially considering that I'm still in the swimming stage of my SUP learning curve.
Yeah, my board is a lot of work, its actually hard work staying up but after my third paddle in calm waters I'm spending the vast majority of my time on deck! I'm still not comfortable or relaxed, but I'm hoping that will come with more experience!

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AshleyM said..
Thanks for the tips guys.
I'm paddling at Margate, which is in moreton Bay, the creeks and canals up here are a bit too bull sharkie for my liking, especially considering that I'm still in the swimming stage of my SUP learning curve.
Yeah, my board is a lot of work, its actually hard work staying up but after my third paddle in calm waters I'm spending the vast majority of my time on deck! I'm still not comfortable or relaxed, but I'm hoping that will come with more experience!

Swimming and bull sharks dont mix