How To Prepare For A Paddleboarding Lesson

So you’ve found a venue and you’ve just booked your very first paddleboarding lesson. You’re all excited to get started but… what now? What do you need to do to prepare? Worry not, we’re here to help with a handy checklist covering what you need to prepare before you start to learn to paddleboard.

What To Take & Wear To A Paddleboarding Lesson

It’ll come as no surprise that there are certain things you are going to want to have on hand for your first paddleboarding lesson. Typically all of the essential equipment (board, paddle, PFD) will be loaned to you for the duration of the lesson. Still, it’s always wise to check on your booking confirmation or give the provider a call before you turn up to find out if there’s anything specific you need to bring. 

Once you know exactly what equipment will be ready and waiting when you turn up at your paddleboarding lesson, think about what to wear. Not every single item here is 100% necessary all of the time, but we generally recommend planning your outfit so that you are wearing something you feel comfortable and confident in.

• Choice of clothing: You will need to make sure that you are wearing clothing appropriate for the weather and conditions. A summer paddleboarding lesson might allow for normal beachwear or other lightweight and quick-drying performance clothing. In colder conditions, you might prefer to wear a wetsuit or, at the very minimum, will need to layer up! Many paddleboarding lesson providers will have wetsuit rental options available if you do not own one yourself.
• Protection from the elements: The same rules for protecting yourself from hot weather at the beach apply to paddleboarding. A hat and sunglasses are important for keeping the sun away from your face and eyes and you should apply sunscreen generously before you head out with the instructor to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. 
• Footwear: Many paddlers prefer to go barefoot when on their board, but you might prefer to wear some kind of footwear for some added protection. Grippy trainers or aqua shoes will be your best bet and avoid anything like flip-flops or sandals that might easily slip off or cause you to trip.
• A waterproof bag: Having storage for your valuables and other items you have to hand is key, and ideally you want your bag to be waterproof just in case an accident does occur. Go for something lightweight that keeps your valuables safely stowed like our waterproof dry pouch. This small but mighty pouch can attach to pretty much anything, offering convenient storage that won’t distract you from being able to apply the tips passed on during your lesson.

Top Tips For Going Into Your Paddleboarding Lesson

Once you’re physically prepared for your lesson, all that will be left to do is turn up on the day and boss it! However, we also understand that trying something new can be a bit daunting, particularly if you have never tried paddleboarding before. Remember that the lesson is taking place with the purpose of improving your skills and making you feel confident so you shouldn’t feel worried if you are starting from scratch! Some of our other tips for approaching your paddleboarding lesson in style include:

• Go in with a positive attitude - you’ll likely fall off multiple times in your first paddleboarding lesson and it may well be that you don’t get to grips with it right away. It’s important to remember that that’s totally okay! This is a learning process, so try not to get discouraged if you don’t succeed at first.
• Always listen to your instructor - it’s going to be hard to learn to paddleboard if you’re not paying attention to the person trying to teach you. Their job is to get you paddling confidently and keep you safe, so always pay attention to what they say. Remember they will also be doing their best to put you at ease and help you improve. If you’re not sure about something or have a question just ask - it’s what they are there for!
• The safety of yourself and others always comes first - while it’s easy to get carried away having fun, always keep an eye on your surroundings. If you’re in an area with other people, be mindful of them and watch the weather for sudden changes. Your instructor will help you with this, but accidents can happen due to carelessness so keep safety in mind even when you start to get more confident.
• Have fun - lastly, you should always remember that you are there to have fun and enjoy yourself! Get stuck into the lesson as much as you can, try new things and do what you can to maximise what you can get out of the session. You could always book your lesson with friends to make it more of a social and memorable experience. 

If you have any questions about how to learn to paddleboard, you can also always get in touch with our friendly team who will be happy to pass on advice, tips and recommendations.