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Why Stand-Up Paddleboarding Is Good for Surfers
Surfing can be challenging, but it’s also a lot of fun. However, many people don’t live near good surfing locations, are aging out of the sport, or currently lack the necessary skills to surf and need a way to practice.
Luckily, surfing aficionados or beginners have a similar activity that can help them improve their surfing abilities: paddleboarding. Here are some reasons why stand-up paddleboarding is good for surfers.
Paddleboarding Is Easy To Learn
The best part about paddleboarding is that it doesn’t take a lot of preparation to get started. Beginners can get straight into the water and start having fun. In contrast, those new to surfing must take the time to learn basic techniques before they can even enter the water.
Surfers must learn to properly swim, paddle, and dive while paying close attention to wave conditions. Though you should be cautious while stand-up paddleboarding, getting out on the water and enjoying your day is much easier, especially if you’ve never done it before.
Paddleboarding Is Low-Stress Compared With Surfing
Many people surf to relieve anxiety, but only after they’ve been doing it for a while. Paddleboarding can be a good alternative for a peaceful ride on the water. It’s a less extreme activity that allows you to relax after a long day.
Surfers can use paddleboarding as a warm-up or cooldown. This flexibility makes it the perfect chill addition to your surfing routine. Additionally, keeping a paddleboard around will give you more options for letting off steam with a low-strain activity.
Paddleboarding Can Prepare You for Surfing
For some, the benefits of paddleboarding become apparent when they realize how easy it is. The difficulty of surfing can make the sport unappealing for those who want to get out and enjoy themselves. Paddleboarding offers a much lower learning curve, making it easier for people to get into.
Paddleboarding can be a solid activity to get started with before moving on to surfing. While it can be strenuous, there’s less to think about. Plus, learning where to stand on the board for balance and getting the hang of launching can benefit people who want to learn to surf eventually.
Paddleboarding Isn’t Restricted to Surf
Surfers need to spend a lot of time on the waves to get good. However, it can be challenging to get quality practice if the surf spot is too crowded or the weather conditions aren’t just right. Rather than try to surf in such an environment, it may be beneficial to try paddleboarding.
You don’t want to miss any learning opportunities, especially if you’re first starting out. Having a paddleboard will ensure you spend as much time as possible practicing essential skills. If the beach is too busy or windy one day, you can just pack up your paddleboard and practice on a quieter lake or river.
Paddleboarding Works Your Surfing Muscles
Surfing takes more than just skill. You need to train your body to handle the strain of the waves. Having enough arm strength to paddle out to big waves is essential. Furthermore, you need lower back and leg strength to maintain balance.
Using a paddleboard is a great way to hone your balance and flexibility, making it the perfect exercise for surfing. While you paddleboard, you strengthen your arms, legs, and lower back and get a feel for mobility in watery conditions.
Paddleboarding Improves Your Stamina
Endurance is just as important as physical strength when it comes to surfing. While you may be able to make the necessary motions, you’ll need the stamina to stay active throughout the day. Getting a paddleboard will allow you to push yourself further without risking your health or well-being with overly intense surfing sessions.
The great thing about paddleboarding is that it combines strength and cardio exercises, giving you a full-body workout that will help prepare you for surfing. You can also take things a step further by going on a multi-day paddleboard trip to improve your stamina while you enjoy the outdoors.
Paddleboarding Sharpens Your Decision-Making Skills
Another big part of surfing is making snap judgments about balance, speed, and water conditions. The surf is unpredictable, and you often find yourself in situations where you must quickly decide what to do.
Learning to paddleboard allows you to develop your mental capacities and improve your decision-making while on the water. Understanding the current, depth, and your abilities will ensure you make sound decisions to avoid putting yourself or others in harm’s way.
Paddleboarding Is Accessible to Everyone
One of the most challenging parts of surfing for many people is getting a balanced board they can carry around. For older people or those with physical disabilities, this can be a deal-breaker. However, paddleboarding allows individuals from all walks of life to be active.
Paddleboards come in all different shapes and sizes. People who may have trouble carrying a surfboard can look at inflatable paddleboards for a solution that’s much easier to carry around and fits inside most vehicles once deflated.
Paddleboarding Can Be a Low-Impact Replacement for Surfing
The wear and tear on knees and other joints can be too much for people who’ve been surfing for a long time. Paddleboarding is a low-impact sport, reducing strain on the body while offering similar health benefits to surfing.
As you age, doing exercises you’re comfortable with is essential to avoid injury. If you must quit surfing because it’s too hard on you physically, paddleboarding will allow you to keep getting out on the water without wearing you down.
Paddleboarding Expands Your Water Sports Community
Though not universally true, surfing communities are often exclusive. This is not the case with paddleboarding. Paddleboarding allows more people to join in on the fun in an inclusive environment. As the sport becomes more popular, surfers will have more people to socialize with, improving their time at the beach or other paddleboarding locations.
Ultimately, getting out on the water and enjoying the waves shouldn’t be just for people who’ve mastered surfing. There are many other activities that people can take part in, such as kayaking, skiing, and snorkeling. Paddleboarding can be fun for people of all ages and abilities, ensuring your water sports community continues to grow.
Don’t Hesitate To Give Paddleboarding a Try
If you love surfing, the fun doesn’t have to end when the waves die down. Taking a paddleboard on your next big surfing trip will allow you to hone your surfing skills in a less stressful, low-impact way. Or if you’re looking for more accessible alternatives to surfing, paddleboarding is the way to go! Stand-up paddleboarding is good for surfers and non-surfers alike. You can increase your physical fitness, balance, and other skills with less effort and an equally good time.
About the author: Julian Kidd