Forget surfing – paddle boarding is the new watersport taking over our beaches.
Often spotted on celebrity Instagram accounts, paddle boarding may look like a laugh, and while it is fun, it’s also a full body workout that’s bound to leave first-timers sore the next day.
Are you keen to give it a go? Awesome! These are the benefits you’ll reap…
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#1 Stronger core
To stand up on a paddle board, you need to stabilise yourself quite a bit, which dires up and engages your core. So, the muscles in your stomach, lower back and upper thighs are working hard the entire time you’re in the water.
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#2 Better balance
If you don’t want to fall into the water, you can be sure you’ll be trying your hardest to keep your balance. It may take you a while, but once you’ve settled into the right position, your ability to steady yourself (and your gaze) will improve. You’ll be able to walk a tightrope before you know it!
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#3 Burst of cardio
Think about the energy you’d use to paddle, stabilise and get up onto the board (multiple times, if you keep falling off). Now, can you see how this seemingly leisurely watersport could turn into quite the cardio session? It’s the perfect summer activity to get the heart racing.
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Before you run out to hire a board, Australian surfing legend, Tom Carroll – who has just launched his own range of paddle boards – offers some top tips for beginners.
#1 Keep your head up
The main reason people lose balance on the board is because they lean too far forward with their head. “Keep your gaze up and become aware of the horizontal plane ahead,” suggests Tom. “Try to resist the temptation of looking down at the board.”
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#2 Choose the right paddle
“Choose a carbon paddle that’s super light and easy to manoeuvre,” says Tom. You’re probably going to be holding your paddle for an hour or more, so don’t challenge yourself too much at first!
#3 The longer the board, the harder it is
“It’s important to select a board according to your weight,” says Carroll. “If you’ve got too much length, it will be much harder to push all that extra board around.”
Have you ever tried stand up paddle boarding? Did you know it was such a good workout?
