Getting to your feet quickly is a great skill to develop as a paddleboarder. It allows you to get your paddle in the water sooner, keeping your board moving forward and your board feeling much more stable.
In this first SUPboarder Challenge for 2026 we’re seeing how quickly we can go from kneeling or lying down, to standing and taking our first paddle stroke. There isn’t just one way to do it either. You can build up slowly from your knees, or if you’re feeling confident, jump straight to your feet. Try it on some different boards too.
This challenge is great for all paddlers, beginners and more experienced, because it encourages you to stop worrying about the wobbles and simply get moving. You’ll be surprised how quickly your confidence grows after just a few attempts.
Give it a go, let us know how you get on, and don’t forget to check out the other challenges in this series.
A big thanks to Thurso Surf for supporting this challenge series. If you’re looking for a well-priced, durable inflatable SUP package, be sure to check out our Thurso Surf board reviews and range overviews, along with the latest boards on the Thurso Surf website.