Core SUP Skills
The strongest paddlers are built on strong foundations. This progression pathway develops the essential skills that underpin every SUP discipline - from paddling efficiently and staying safe, to understanding your equipment and improving board control. Master these core skills and you'll progress faster, paddle with more confidence, and get more from every session on the water.
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Section 1 - START HERE : SUP Foundations
Every great paddler starts with solid fundamentals. Learn how to set up your equipment, stand with confidence, paddle efficiently, turn, launch and land safely, and build the core techniques that make every future progression easier.
When it comes to standing up for the first time on a SUP having a few good tips as well the right kit can make all the difference between getting up...
Free
Standing up for the first time on a SUP / Getting into SUP how to video
When it comes to standing up for the first time on a SUP having a few good tips as well the right kit can make all the difference between getting up...
Start Lesson
After watching our first 'How to SUP' video in this basic SUP series 'Standing up for the first time on a SUP' you've hopefully got to your feet and mastered the basics...
Free
Basics to paddling straight on a SUP / Getting into SUP how to video
After watching our first 'How to SUP' video in this basic SUP series 'Standing up for the first time on a SUP' you've hopefully got to your feet and mastered the basics...
Start LessonIf you've grasped the basic paddling techniques such as those in our other ‘How to SUP’ basic SUP series videos, it's definitely time to try the step back turn (pivot...
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Basic step back turn / Getting into SUP how to video
If you've grasped the basic paddling techniques such as those in our other ‘How to SUP’ basic SUP series videos, it's definitely time to try the step back turn (pivot...
Start Lesson
Paddleboarding isn't complicated, just grab a SUP and a paddle and head for the water. But there are a few common paddle mistakes made by beginners which make their paddling...
Free
Common paddle mistakes / How to video
Paddleboarding isn't complicated, just grab a SUP and a paddle and head for the water. But there are a few common paddle mistakes made by beginners which make their paddling...
Start Lesson
The great thing about stand up paddleboarding is that it’s simple. You really don’t need much equipment to get you out on the water having fun, but there are a...
Free
Basic SUP equipment / Getting into SUP how to videos
The great thing about stand up paddleboarding is that it’s simple. You really don’t need much equipment to get you out on the water having fun, but there are a...
Start LessonSection 2 - SUP Safe & Water Smart
Confidence comes from understanding the environment as much as your technique. Learn how to choose safe locations, read weather and tides, use the right safety equipment, and make good decisions before and during every paddle.
What to do when your SUP session doesn’t go to plan? Communication & Emergency – SUP Safe
Start Lesson
Section 3 - Build Better Technique
Now it's time to refine your skills. Improve your balance, increase paddling efficiency, understand your equipment, and fix the common mistakes that stop paddlers from progressing. Small improvements here make a huge difference on the water.
In this video we take a basic look at the terminology used when talking about a Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP). Including words like rocker and volume by the end of...
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SUP Basics – SUP board terminology / How to video
In this video we take a basic look at the terminology used when talking about a Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP). Including words like rocker and volume by the end of...
Start LessonIt can be overwhelming deciding what type of SUP to buy especially if it’s your first SUP. All-round, race, touring, family fun, or surf? etc.. SUPboarder goes through some questions...
Free
What type of SUP to buy? / How to video
It can be overwhelming deciding what type of SUP to buy especially if it’s your first SUP. All-round, race, touring, family fun, or surf? etc.. SUPboarder goes through some questions...
Start Lesson
Regular or Goofy? 2 words that are frequently used in the surfing world. But do you know what they mean and how they might effect your SUPing? Regular or Goofy...
Free
Do you SUP regular or goofy? / How to SUP Videos
Regular or Goofy? 2 words that are frequently used in the surfing world. But do you know what they mean and how they might effect your SUPing? Regular or Goofy...
Start Lesson
Once you’ve mastered the basic paddling technique you may want to try paddling with more power. Being able to paddle with a more powerful stroke will allow you to paddle...
Pro
Learning how to paddle with power / How to video
Once you’ve mastered the basic paddling technique you may want to try paddling with more power. Being able to paddle with a more powerful stroke will allow you to paddle...
Preview LessonIf you tend to switch paddling sides a lot when out on the water, then have you considered trying the tips in the video? Keeping your paddle vertical, looking forward, understanding your weight distribution on the board, using different strokes, changing your equipment and how the wind might affect you are all common reasons why we can't paddle straight.
Free
Why Can’t I Paddle Straight? / How To SUP and Track In A Straight Line
If you tend to switch paddling sides a lot when out on the water, then have you considered trying the tips in the video? Keeping your paddle vertical, looking forward, understanding your weight distribution on the board, using different strokes, changing your equipment and how the wind might affect you are all common reasons why we can't paddle straight.
Start LessonMore advanced tips for paddling straight / tracking straight.
Pro
Why Can’t I Paddle Straight? / How To SUP and Track In A Straight Line PRO EXTRA
More advanced tips for paddling straight / tracking straight.
Preview LessonSection 4 - Develop Skills & Understanding
Take your paddling to the next level by improving control in more challenging conditions, refining your stroke, mastering better turns, and understanding how fins, board size and board design affect performance.
Struggling to paddle into the wind? Paddling into the wind is never much fun, and something most paddlers try their best to avoid! But chances are you'll be doing a bit...
Free
Paddling into wind – How to VIDEO
Struggling to paddle into the wind? Paddling into the wind is never much fun, and something most paddlers try their best to avoid! But chances are you'll be doing a bit...
Start LessonPaddling in offshore conditions i.e when the wind is blowing off the land out to sea, can provide some great flat water paddling opportunities if you stay in the sheltered...
Pro
Paddling in offshore winds / How to video
Paddling in offshore conditions i.e when the wind is blowing off the land out to sea, can provide some great flat water paddling opportunities if you stay in the sheltered...
Preview Lesson
Tying boards on the roof of your car or van can be super easy when you know how. Doing it the right way can make your trip to and from...
Pro
Roof rack tips / How to Video
Tying boards on the roof of your car or van can be super easy when you know how. Doing it the right way can make your trip to and from...
Preview LessonIf you're unsure what SUP volume is, how it effects your board and how to compare it to your body weight, then this is a simple way to understand about...
Free
What is SUP volume? / How to video
If you're unsure what SUP volume is, how it effects your board and how to compare it to your body weight, then this is a simple way to understand about...
Start LessonRefining your paddling stroke will allow you to paddle further with more power and prevent injury. Many paddlers can set themselves up for success and paddle more efficiently by integrating just a few small changes into their stroke.
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How To Paddle Like A Pro / Improving Your SUP Stroke
Refining your paddling stroke will allow you to paddle further with more power and prevent injury. Many paddlers can set themselves up for success and paddle more efficiently by integrating just a few small changes into their stroke.
Start LessonFor more advanced techniques to get most out of your SUP stroke, check out this PRO video.
Pro
How To Paddle Like A Pro / Improving Your SUP Stroke EXTRA PRO VIDEO
For more advanced techniques to get most out of your SUP stroke, check out this PRO video.
Preview LessonSection 5 - Understand Your Equipment
Choosing the right equipment becomes much easier once you know what really matters. Learn how board shape, width, volume and fin setups influence stability, speed and handling so you can make informed decisions as your paddling develops.
Should You Buy An All-round, Fast Cruising Or Touring SUP For Your First Board?
Start LessonSo, you’ve got the 32” wide isup at the moment and you’re looking to buy your first hard board to upgrade your quiver. What width are you going to settle...
Pro
How Wide Should My Hard Board Be Compared To My iSUP? / Dropping Width
So, you’ve got the 32” wide isup at the moment and you’re looking to buy your first hard board to upgrade your quiver. What width are you going to settle...
Preview LessonIn this SUPboarder Pro video, we discuss the different fin box types that you find on stand up paddle boards and the pros and cons associated with each type. When...
Pro
SUP Fin Box Types
In this SUPboarder Pro video, we discuss the different fin box types that you find on stand up paddle boards and the pros and cons associated with each type. When...
Preview LessonIf you're unsure what SUP volume is, how it effects your board and how to compare it to your body weight, then this is a simple way to understand about...
Free What is SUP volume? / How to video
If you're unsure what SUP volume is, how it effects your board and how to compare it to your body weight, then this is a simple way to understand about...
Start Lesson
Should You Buy An All-round, Fast Cruising Or Touring SUP For Your First Board?
Start LessonWhich factors affect SUP board stability? This question was sent to us from a SUPboarder Pro subscriber and its definitely something to consider when looking at buying a new board. There...
Pro
Factors that affect board stability / How to video
Which factors affect SUP board stability? This question was sent to us from a SUPboarder Pro subscriber and its definitely something to consider when looking at buying a new board. There...
Preview LessonSection 6 - Advanced Core Skills
Build the skills that separate competent paddlers from confident ones. Learn advanced strokes, improve stability in choppy conditions, develop better board control and become more comfortable in situations that challenge your balance.
If you’ve been paddling a while chances are you’ll have progressed from zig zag to straight paddling most of the time, by mastering the basic SUP paddle strokes. By this I...
Pro
SUP Paddle Strokes – Using the ‘C’ Stroke / How to video
If you’ve been paddling a while chances are you’ll have progressed from zig zag to straight paddling most of the time, by mastering the basic SUP paddle strokes. By this I...
Preview LessonThe cross bow turn is a simple manoeuvre to do and many paddlers learn to do it in their first SUP session. Turning a big, long race board can be...
Pro
The Advanced Cross Bow Turn / How to video
The cross bow turn is a simple manoeuvre to do and many paddlers learn to do it in their first SUP session. Turning a big, long race board can be...
Preview Lesson
Wetsuit boots or barefoot that is the question? For many of us, going bare foot on a SUP is just not an option if we live somewhere where the water...
Pro
Getting the most grip & control / Wetsuit boots or barefoot?
Wetsuit boots or barefoot that is the question? For many of us, going bare foot on a SUP is just not an option if we live somewhere where the water...
Preview LessonSection 7 - Challenge Yourself
Progress happens outside your comfort zone. These fun challenges put your core skills to the test, helping you build confidence, improve board control and discover just how much you've learned throughout this progression pathway.
