6 Useful Tips For Every Newbie Paddle boarder
If you’ve just entered the world of paddle boarding, congratulations! Very few things are as fun and simultaneously healthy as paddle boarding. There’s nothing quite like spending a few hours soaring over pristine waters and looking at the stunning scenery. This being said, paddle boarding isn’t without its learning curve. The following will explore a few useful tips for every newbie paddle boarder.
Listen To Your Body
It’s easy to get lulled into a happy trance as you coast along a gorgeous shoreline, but it’s vitally important that you listen to your body when you’re paddle boarding, especially when you’re first starting out. The activity uses muscles that you might not have worked out often, and this means it’s easy to get sore when you push yourself. It’s good to remember that no matter how much fun you’re having, you’ll still have the whole return trip to make, and by then, you might be exhausted. If your body wants a break, give it a break. Avoid hyper-challenging, long-distance routes until you’ve built up your strength.
Know Where You’re Going
If you’re simply paddling along the coast in one direction, it’s pretty easy to know how to turn around and paddle in the other direction when it’s time to go home. If you’re exploring mangroves or river systems, it’s pretty easy to get lost, especially if you don’t know the area. Make sure that you know where you’re going and that you always tell someone when you’re heading out on the water. It’s also pretty easy to bring a map and a compass. Take a moment to learn how to read a compass. It’s very straightforward once you understand how it works—and keep it handy while you’re paddle boarding. This will help you find your way in case things start looking the same.
Read Up On The Technique
Like anything else, paddle boarding has a technique to it. Taking the time to read up about some of the tricks and tips can save you a ton of time wasted. Paddle board aficionados at PaddleBoardTips.com, for instance, teach readers about things like life jackets and anchors—both of which come into play when you’re paddle boarding. Online websites also tend to have excellent breakdowns of gear and the lowdown on some of the best paddle boarding sites there are.
Stay Hydrated
While it might feel a little funny to think about hydration when you’re literally surrounded by water, it’s a very important step. Exercising, particularly exercising in the sun, can result in losing a lot of bodily moisture through sweat. To avoid dehydration, you want to make sure you have adequate water supplies. If you’re sticking close to home, you can leave your bottle on shore, but if you’re journeying any kind of distance, you’re going to want to have some fresh water with you.
If you notice signs of dehydration, like fatigue, headaches, dry mouth, lightheadedness, increased thirst, dizziness, decreased urination, constipation, less tear production, or dry skin, stop and hydrate immediately. Severe dehydration can develop quickly and should be considered a medical emergency.
Get Smart About Sunscreen
Not all sunscreens were created equal. It turns out most of them are horrifically toxic, both to you and to marine life. Coastal areas around the world are even beginning to ban traditional sunscreens due to the harm they’re causing the coral reefs. Look for high-quality sunscreens that are mineral based. Avoid ingredients like oxybenzone, avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octinoxate, and octocrylene; they’re easily absorbed into the bloodstream and quickly build up over time to unsafe levels in the body. Beyond this, nearly 75% of sunscreens were found to be completely ineffective. Take the time to research a sunscreen option or avoid the whole problem and protect your skin with light, breezy clothing.
Start With Calm Waters
While the ocean will be forever mystical to humans, it’s a good idea to practice paddle boarding in calmer waters. Consider coves, small lakes, and wide, gentle rivers where you can mess around and get comfortable on a board. You also want to be wary of areas with heavy boat traffic, as it can be difficult for newbies to maneuver or move a paddle board through a boat’s wake. Finally, always be aware of tides when you’re entering bodies of water; you don’t want to be surprised to find your trek back to your car is now twice as long as you thought it was going to be.
The above information should have outlined a few key components of paddle boarding for beginners. This is an excellent hobby to develop alone or with a group of friends. If you’re traveling with your paddle board to a location, always be sure to follow safety precautions when strapping it down to a vehicle, using the appropriate gear for your type of car, van, or truck.
