It’s a common occurrence to see people gracefully gliding along Seven Mile Beach on Cayman, but just how do you stand up and enjoy one of the hippest water-based activities? Stand up paddle boarding is straightforward to learn, keeps you really fit and offers fantastic views, all at the same time.
Joel Clark owns PaddleBoard Cayman Style, a mobile company that offers free delivery and pick up island-wide, no matter where you are, as well as one-to-one and group lessons.
Here are his three steps to standing upright:
Number One: Carry the board out into the water so that the fin is free from hitting the bottom. Lay on the board and put the paddle underneath you. Take a couple of strokes with your hands to get you out into deeper water.
Number Two: Get up on to your knees. Take a couple of strokes either side with the paddle. This will allow you to get used to the balance of the board before getting up on your feet.
Number Three: Slowly stand up with one foot at a time and stay in the middle of the board with feet parallel to the centre of the board about shoulder width apart. Don’t look down! Keep your eyes on the horizon or a stationary constant. This will provide better balance outcomes.
Joel’s tips for basic paddling technique:
- Keep your bottom arm straight and relatively still
- Pull your top arm toward your body to extend the paddle forward
- Rotate your top shoulder forward and extend your reach
- Insert the paddle into the water as far forward as possible and bury the paddle into the water
- Rather than pulling your paddle through the water, think about pulling past your paddle
- To stay in a straight line, take a few stokes on one side then switch to a few strokes on the other and always remember to switch the position of your hands when your paddle changes sides
Things not to do!
- Don’t grab the paddle like a broom; always hold the paddle with one hand on the handle at the top of the paddle and the other on the shaft
- Don’t stand like you’re on a surfboard! You want your feet shoulder width apart and parallel
To book a lesson call 1-345-936 2787 or email supcaymanstyle@gmail.com