Paddleboarding for Beginners: A Guide for Families
Paddleboarding near St Michaels Mount, Cornwall
Paddleboarding has become increasingly popular in recent years and is something that the whole family can enjoy. With an increased range of boards now available, family paddling is more accessible and affordable than ever. Paddleboarding is a great way to get outdoors and spend time with your family, build water confidence with your children, and it's great exercise. In this beginner's guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to get paddleboarding as a family.
Types of Paddleboards
There are two main types of paddleboards, inflatable and rigid. Inflatable boards are easy to transport and store, and they tend to be more affordable than rigid boards, so they are great for beginners starting out. Rigid boards offer better performance and are more stable in the water, but are more suited to experienced paddlers and less suitable for group activities. As a family starting out, you'll be looking for an inflatable board that is the correct size and shape for your planned activities. Our brand partner Bluefin offers a range of inflatable SUPs that we will explore as we go along.
Looking at the range of paddleboards on offer it can be quite overwhelming with the amount of choice available. Boards vary in length, width, thickness, and shape depending on their intended purpose. As a very high-level overview, the longer the board the more weight it will carry and the better it will "track", which means it will go in the direction you are pointing it. Wider boards are more stable whereas narrow boards tend to go faster. The thickness of a board affects how much weight it can carry and to some extent how flexible it is.
Paddleboards are broadly sorted into one of a few categories. All-rounder paddleboards such as the Bluefin Cruise 10'8 tend to be on the shorter end of the spectrum and are wider than other board types, making them great for beginners because they're stable and easy to manoeuvre. Touring boards tend to be longer than all-rounder boards as they are designed to carry larger loads and cover longer distances. The Bluefin Rogue 12'6 or Cruise 12' are both good examples of longer boards that can be a good option for families, as they will give you the extra space and load capacity to carry your children safely. Racing paddleboards like the Bluefin Nitro and Bluefin Sprint are longer again and much narrower, designed for more advanced users that are looking for the fastest and best tracking board to give them a competitive edge.
Bluefin Voyage 10’10 paddleboard
As with many products, there are a few outliers to our generalisation above. The paddleboard that we use is a Bluefin Voyage 10'10 which is an extra wide board with additional side pods for ultimate stability. The Voyage has been designed with mounts to allow for fishing from your paddleboard, although we find the extra stability was great when we started out as we could easily carry two small children and a full-grown adult and still have full control of the board. If you have a larger family and you need a board that will carry two adults and some small people you may also want to consider the Bluefin Cruise 15 Tandem, which may work out more affordable than buying two smaller boards.
Maybe Take Lessons or Hire Before You Buy
If you aren't sure if paddleboarding is for you it can be a great idea to hire a board or take some lessons before you invest in your own high-quality board. You can find SUP hire available at many of the popular paddleboard-friendly beaches during the summer and some locations also offer one-to-one or group paddle lessons. Taking lessons with a qualified instructor will also help you learn proper techniques and avoid injury.
When we first started, our very first experience was hiring an all-rounder board and exploring just the edge of the shoreline. Hiring was great for us because it immediately made us aware that in our instance the board we hired was too short and too thin to carry an adult and two children, so had we gone out and bought a similar board that would have been an expensive mistake.
Whether you hire or buy, take lessons or self-learn, just remember that when you start you are going to fall in. Paddleboarding requires a lot of balance but it is quite easy to pick up if you keep at it. It took me maybe 4-5 outings before I got really confident with our board and now I can just jump up and paddle off and I rarely fall in unless I'm trying something tricky. Some people give up too soon and that's a real shame because once it clicks the progression is quick and paddling can be incredibly relaxing and a fantastic way to take in your surroundings.
Paddleboard locations
When we think of our paddleboard locations we tend to categorise them into one of three types. The sea is maybe the most obvious and where most people will associate paddleboards, and I'm sure if you have been to the beach in recent years you will have seen people paddling past the breakers or exploring the coves. The sea is a great place to paddle but you need the right conditions. Ideally, you'll want little or no surf, and a very light onshore wind. Long flat beaches are great places to learn as the water won't be too deep and if the water is clear you will be able to see to the bottom.
Talland Bay, Cornwall
Another great location for paddling are lakes. You'll need to make sure that paddling is permitted and ensure you keep to any rules that are in place. In our area, there are lakes managed by SW Lakes which allow paddleboards and charge a launch fee, but they also include a rescue service if you require it. A lake is probably the easiest place to learn to paddle as the water is not moving as the sea does, you don't need to worry about tides, and as long the wind isn't too strong the water will be flat. Many lakes that allow paddleboards will often hire equipment and some may also provide lessons.
Rivers and canals are also great places to paddle but you do need to check if any rules apply. You will need a license to paddle on the canal network and some rivers may have restrictions so it's always best to try and find out before you head out. We have not paddled canals but we have paddled rivers and they offer a halfway between sea and lake, as the water in a river is moving, although not as much as the sea. We find rivers to be quite easy to explore especially if you can find a tidal river that will take you up on a rising tide and then return you to your starting point as the tide turns.
Safety Tips for Paddleboarding with Family
Like any sport, paddleboarding can be dangerous if you do not take proper safety precautions. Here are some tips to keep you and your family safe on the water:
Wear appropriate gear: Always wear a personal flotation device (PFD) and a leash to keep you connected to your board in case you fall off. If you are paddling on a river you may want to consider a quick-release leash in case you need to detach from your board in a hurry.
Stay warm and wear lightweight clothing: Remember that if you fall in your clothes are getting wet, so wearing a changing robe over jeans might keep you warm but that's going to get very heavy in the water. We paddle in wetsuits when it's cold and swim shorts when it's warm.
Pack water and food: You will need to keep hydrated when paddling and chances are you won't be able to drink the water you are paddling on. Paddleboarding is also physically tiring so pack snacks in a waterproof bag. Why not pack a family picnic and stop on the way for lunch, maybe on a deserted beach cove or quiet river bank.
Always check weather and water conditions: Before heading out, check the weather forecast and make sure the water conditions are safe for paddleboarding. If you are heading to the sea check the tide times and surf conditions as well as the wind speed and direction.
Stay in shallow water: If you're new to paddleboarding, stick to the shallow areas and make sure you are always close enough to shore that you could swim back if there was an emergency.
Keep an eye on your children: If you're paddleboarding with kids, make sure they're wearing PFDs, preferably life jackets, and keep a close eye on them at all times.
Know the rules and regulations: Make sure you're aware of any rules and regulations for paddleboarding in the area where you're paddling. This includes any restrictions on rivers or permits required for the canal network. At the beach, make sure you stick to any rules that lifeguards have in place on the day.
Conclusion
Paddleboarding can be a great way to enjoy the water as a family, but always be safe and informed before you head out. By following these tips and taking lessons before you buy your own board, you can enjoy all the benefits of paddleboarding without putting yourself or your family at risk. So grab a paddle and get ready for some fun!