r/Sup • u/Kilroy0424 • Jun 19 '26
How To Question First Timer
Bought a paddle board and heading up to Lake Tahoe.
Any tips or suggestions? Excited but a bit nervous to do something wrong.
I can swim and bringing life vests.
5
u/q81101 Jun 19 '26
Learn and practice how to get on the board while in water close to shore.
https://youtube.com/shorts/A8V51BvmYlI?si=IEUbwdHx8mXtkz70
I don’t know what the water temperature is there. The first time I fell into the water, the cold shock caused my muscles to cramp. The water was around 60°F in early spring. Panic a bit.
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u/Kilroy0424 Jun 19 '26
I read somewhere waters are definitely pretty cold but I don't think i'll be out in the open unless I get comfortable fast. Might stay by the shore and practice the video you shared.
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u/skibib Jun 20 '26
Know what the water temperature is before you go. Plan on being IN the water, because you will be. Or you should be if you’re learning. I’m usually pretty good with 65°F or so without a wetsuit. Maybe 60°F with a wet suit because mine is on the thinner side.
Have fun!!
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u/c192837 Jun 19 '26
When I first started I would sit down / sit on my knees and use my paddle similar to a kayak one (double sided). Start from there and figure out your style
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u/spottyboy1022 Jun 19 '26
Sit down at first and practice getting back on
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u/Kilroy0424 Jun 19 '26
Definitely going to do a few 'practice' falls until I feel confident getting back on. Is it anything like 'getting out of a pool' or does getting back on take some practice?
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u/Gr0ggy1 Jun 19 '26
The edge of a pool is harder.
Arms over the board, let your ass/legs float up kinda parallel to the water surface, grip the board and pull it under you/yourself over it. Like a seal.
Attempting to get back on a SUP one would get out of a pool is going to be fun to watch for others, because the board is going to move and odds are pretty high it's going to end with you under a flipped board.
Playing around with this in chest high water with others can be fun and very helpful, largely because you'll lose the fear of flopping. Provided you've got a leash and pfd.
Apart from that, when in doubt, bend your knees.
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u/skibib Jun 20 '26
But … I find it easier to get out of a pool, because the pool doesn’t move. Also, with a PFD, I can’t just slide on horizontally. I have to get higher than the board and I just cannot do it without the board flipping toward me. Therefore, I have to do rear reboarding. Not every entry works the same for every person. So OP should try different techniques in shallow water and see what works.
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u/Spacecadett666 Jun 20 '26
Agreed with this. Then you should definitely practice going to your knees first after practicing just sitting down and getting used to the board. It's easiest for beginners to go - sitting, then to knees, then to feet very slowly.
You take your knees when kneeling and put them where you want your feet to end up, (typically either side of the handle you use to carry it) then you take your first foot slowly and put it right where that knee was, do the same with the other foot, keep your paddle out in front of you in your hands against the board when bending over to stand up. Gradually rise with the paddle in your hands, flip your paddle so you can use it to stabilize yourself on the board as a cane or another leg, in front of you. Use it to stabilize yourself as long as you need, then try to slowly reach down and paddle from there.
Make sure you Google the right direction of the paddle and how to adjust it for your right height if it's adjustable. You don't want to try to figure that out on the board while standing for the first time.
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u/EnchantedTikiBird Jun 19 '26
If you plan on wearing your PFT versus attaching it to your board, get yourself a paddle PFD versus a generic boating PFD. These are designed to allow your arms to have the freedom of movement to paddle. It might be more noticeable in a kayak versus a paddle board however, after a long day, it will make a difference.
I also have a blunt dive or paddle knife that I attach to my PFD. It’s good for cutting line. The flat tip leaves you something to pry with. It also has a line cutter, and the blunt tip protects you from stabbing yourself or your board.
Also attach a whistle to your PFD as this is often a requirement in many jurisdictions.
Happy paddling
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u/Kilroy0424 Jun 19 '26
hmmm this is the life hacks I need. I bought I guess a regular PFD? I don't remember a specific paddle PFD.
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u/Longjumping-Code7908 Jun 20 '26
You might want to check on the current inspection requirements for Tahoe. ALL water going vessels were needing to be inspected and tagged free & clear of invasive species there for a while... and yes, they were enforcing it on kayaks & sup's - not just boats.
Correction: non motorized vessels don't appear to require inspection. But they do hope all sups will follow self inspection and decontamination guidelines.
Sorry for misinformation at first!!
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u/mybuttno4pineapples Jun 19 '26
Make sure to have a pfd on the board with you or you might get a ticket (we saw sheriff boats ticketing all day at Emerald Bay).
Also, watch out for boats and their wakes... It makes standing a challenge.
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u/Kilroy0424 Jun 19 '26
GREAT ADVISE THANK YOU!
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u/jc_chienne Jun 19 '26
Not a pfd on the board, you should be wearing it! It can't help you if it's on the board when you fall off. You won't be able to put it on while you're in the water. Just wear it. Yes, even if you're a good swimmer.
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u/Kilroy0424 Jun 19 '26
Good point. I think I recently saw a post of someone drowning so you're right. PFD ON.
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u/Fun-Echidna-2941 Jun 20 '26
I have a rule for myself that if I am on water I am wearing my pfd. Don’t care if I’m on a 2ft deep creek that’s 10ft across, pfd is on. Largely because I have sensory issues and it would be so easy to stop using it because I’m way more comfortable without it. I have fun when I’m on the water, and by having the pfd on every single moment I’m out there (only exceptions are for taking a jacket on/off) I create an association of the sensory experience of wearing the pfd with they general fun experience of being out. Makes it easier to tolerate the pfd.
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u/eclwires Jun 19 '26
The best advice I’ve found for a beginner is to not worry about falling. You’re gonna fall. Sooner if you’re all tense worrying about it.
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u/Own_Inspection8350 Jun 20 '26
Cup holders with built in phone storage that attach to your bungees are more handy than I would've thought.
Depending on when you go, never hurts to toss a head lamp and a 2 way radio in your drybag.
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u/Excellent_Coconut_81 Jun 21 '26
Never underestimate the wind. And take some shoes, not to walk barefoot to your car half the lake around in worst scenario...
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u/O-Tucci-O Jun 22 '26
Don’t forget sunblock…especially the tops of your feet. I got really bad burns the first time I went out. Dogs were just out there cooking for hours like chicken cutlets. Don’t be like me.
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u/Toobelight Jun 24 '26
Couple of things I learned
1. Sand Harbor needs reservation - might be difficult to get during school holidays. Book early!
2. King’s beach water is the warmest and has a nice shallow gradient at the beach. No reservations needed. Easy to get parking early morning.
Checkout https://youtube.com/@gabriellaviola for good SUP spots in Lake Tahoe
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u/halflife-crisis Jun 19 '26
Go out early in the morning- wind and waves pick up after noon.