Expert Advice

Expert Advice
  • Aug 1, 2023

Paddling to Perfection: How Rhythm Enhances Your SUP Experience

Understanding Paddling Rhythm in Paddle Boarding Stand up paddle boarding, an increasingly popular water sport, offers a unique blend of adventure and tranquility. From the calm of flat water paddle boarding to the thrill of riding ocean waves, it provides enthusiasts with varied experiences. One key factor that significantly influences your stand up paddle boarding experience is your paddling rhythm.

  • Aug 1, 2023

Where to Stand on Your Paddle Board

Paddle boarding is not just a sport; it's an art that combines balance, strength, and the serenity of being on the water. Whether you're gliding through tranquil waters or navigating choppy waves, knowing where to stand on your paddle board significantly influences your experience and performance. Key Highlights Introduction to Paddle Boarding Positions: Understand the versatility of paddle boarding and the importance of mastering where to stand on your board for optimal performance. Choosing the Right Board: Learn the differences between inflatable and solid paddle boards, focusing on durability, convenience, speed, and agility. Preparing Your Board: Tips for setting up your paddle board, attaching fins, and ensuring a secure grip to start your adventure. Finding the Ideal Standing Position: Locating the Sweet Spot: Stand at the center of the board, around the carrying handle, to ensure stability and control. Foot Positioning for Optimal Balance: Adopt a stance with feet parallel, hip-width apart, for the best balance and effective paddling. Tailoring Your Stance for Various Activities: Speed and Distance: Adjust your position slightly towards the back for racing or long-distance paddling. SUP Yoga and Fitness: Center yourself for stability during yoga or fitness routines. Fishing and Leisure: Understand the flexibility in positioning when fishing or cruising for leisure. Practicing and Perfecting Your Stance: Emphasize the importance of practice in a safe environment to find what works best for you and your board. Safety Considerations: Always prioritize safety by wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) and using a leash.

  • Jul 28, 2023

How to Paddle Board on Rivers: A Comprehensive Guide

Stand up paddleboarding, or SUP, is a thrilling and dynamic sport that has been rapidly gaining popularity across the globe. Rivers, with their varying currents and rich sceneries, present a unique opportunity for paddle board enthusiasts to test their skills and enjoy a day out in nature. Whether you're a seasoned expert or a novice just starting, here's a comprehensive guide on how to stand up paddle board on rivers. Key Highlights Choosing the Right Board: Emphasize the benefits of inflatable paddle boards for river SUP due to their durability and maneuverability. Highlight specialized river boards designed for stability in swift currents. Essential Gear and Accessories: List crucial items like adjustable paddles, manual pumps, repair kits, and safety equipment, including helmets and PFDs. Stress the importance of waterproof storage for belongings. Understanding River Dynamics: Break down river features such as currents, eddies, and obstacles. Introduce the concept of river reading to identify hazards and navigate effectively. Adjusting to the Current: Discuss techniques for paddling upstream and downstream, adjusting strokes to handle varying current strengths, and keeping the board oriented correctly to prevent capsizing. Dealing with Obstructions: Offer strategies for navigating around or over river obstructions like rocks and fallen trees, including dismount techniques and the importance of scouting the river. Paddle Boarding Techniques: Tailor techniques for river conditions, including starting on knees for stability and practicing in calm sections before progressing to stronger currents. Safety Precautions: Highlight safety measures such as wearing a PFD and helmet, using a quick-release leash, and the importance of paddle boarding with a partner or group. Respecting Nature and Enjoying the Adventure: Encourage paddlers to respect the natural environment and wildlife, emphasizing the importance of leaving no trace and enjoying the beauty of river SUP.

  • Jul 24, 2023

How to use GPS to Improve your Paddle Boarding

GPS (Global Positioning System) is an indispensable tool for outdoor sports enthusiasts. It plays an equally significant role in enhancing your paddle boarding experience. GPS can help you track your routes, measure distances, and even keep an eye on weather conditions. But most importantly,it is pivotal for safety purposes, helping you locate your position in open waters, making it easier for others to find you in case of emergencies. Key Highlights: Introduction to GPS in Paddle Boarding: Emphasize the critical role of GPS in improving paddle boarding by ensuring safety and enhancing navigational skills. Choosing the Right GPS Device: Discussion on the types of GPS devices suitable for paddle boarding, including waterproof smartphones and GPS watches, highlighting their convenience and functionality. Benefits of Using GPS for Paddle Boarding: Outline how GPS technology aids in route tracking, speed and distance measurements, and significantly boosts safety on the water. GPS Apps for Enhanced Paddle Boarding: Introduce various GPS apps designed specifically for water sports, mentioning their features like live location sharing, weather forecasts, and tracking paddle strokes. Practical GPS Usage Tips: Offer tips on getting familiar with GPS devices, ensuring their security during paddling sessions, and leveraging GPS for training and performance analysis. The Importance of Pairing GPS with Other Equipment: Explain how integrating GPS with paddle board equipment like heart rate monitors can offer a comprehensive overview of fitness levels and paddling performance. The Future of GPS in Paddle Boarding: Speculate on how GPS technology might evolve, offering more detailed analyses and real-time environmental data to paddlers. A Cautionary Note on Relying Solely on GPS: Stress the importance of not becoming overly dependent on GPS and the necessity of basic navigation skills and common sense.

  • Jul 21, 2023

Top Mistakes When Surfing Paddle Boards

Paddle boarding is a recreational activity that has grown in popularity over the years. With the right stand up paddle board, you can explore flat waters, enjoy some fishing, or even ride the waves. However, as fun and straightforward as paddle boarding may appear, there are common mistakes that can hinder your surfing paddle board experience. Here's a rundown of the top mistakes you should avoid when surfing paddle boards and how to correct them. Key Highlights: Choosing the Right Board: Importance of selecting a board designed for surfing to improve maneuverability and performance. Correct Paddling Technique: How mastering the right technique enhances efficiency, reduces fatigue, and maintains stability. Essential Safety Gear: Prioritizing safety with the right gear, including a personal flotation device and a leash. Weather and Wave Awareness: Understanding and respecting weather conditions and wave forecasts to avoid dangerous situations. Knowing Your Limits: The significance of paddling within your abilities and gradually progressing to bigger waves. Respecting Water Etiquette: Sharing the water responsibly with other surfers and water users to ensure everyone's safety and enjoyment. Proper Stance on the Board: Adjusting your stance for optimal balance and control while surfing paddle boards. Maintaining Fitness for Paddle Boarding: Recognizing the importance of physical strength, endurance, and balance in enhancing your paddle boarding skills. Equipment Maintenance: Regular care and upkeep of your paddle board and accessories for longevity and peak performance.

  • Jul 20, 2023

The Glide O2 Angler: The Ideal Stand Up Paddleboard for Fishing Enthusiasts

Water sports are increasingly gaining popularity, and among the top-tier is stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), a cross-over between surfing and canoeing that allows you to traverse water bodies at your pace. But, have you ever thought of stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) and fishing together? If not, then it's time to consider a unique combination of the two activities. In the world of SUP, the Glide O2 Angler is a game-changer, particularly for fishing enthusiasts. A product specifically designed with fishing in mind, the Glide O2 Angler brings a whole new dimension to fishing, making it an excellent choice for anyone considering a SUP fishing board.

  • Jul 20, 2023

How to Go Faster on a Stand Up Paddle Board

Key Highlights: Choosing the Right Paddle Board: Understanding the impact of board type, material, and shape on speed. Paddle Board Shape and Design: How displacement hulls, board length, and fins contribute to faster speeds. Advanced Paddling Technique: The importance of effective stroke power, rhythm, and side switching for speed. Core Strength and Conditioning: Enhancing paddle power through core training and overall fitness. Paddle Board and Paddle Maintenance: Regular care to minimize drag and maintain optimal performance. Navigating Weather and Water Conditions: Utilizing wind and currents to your advantage for increased speed. Energy Efficiency: Strategies for conserving energy and using it efficiently to maintain speed. Optimal Board Loading: Balancing necessary gear with the need for speed by managing board load. The Role of the Board The type of stand up paddle board (SUP) you use plays a significant role in your speed. The variety of paddle boards is extensive, ranging from solid paddle boards to inflatable paddle boards. Among these, touring paddle boards are specifically designed to glide through the water at higher speeds due to their narrow and long design. An inflatable board might be lighter, but it often lacks the stiffness of a solid board which can hinder speed. The material of the board also contributes to your speed. A lightweight carbon fiber paddle board, for example, provides a smooth ride with reduced friction, making it easier to reach higher speeds. On the other hand, boards made from military grade PVC, while being extremely durable, might add a little more weight.

  • Jul 18, 2023

Advanced Skills to Master on a Stand Up Paddle Board

Master these advanced skills on your stand up paddle board and take your paddling to the next level. Key Highlights: Power Stroke Mastery: Enhance your speed and maneuverability in challenging conditions with the advanced power stroke technique. Pivot Turn Precision: Learn the pivot turn for quick, efficient board direction changes, a must-know for race enthusiasts. Equipment Insights: Solid vs. inflatable boards—understand the performance nuances and how they impact your advanced techniques. Paddle Proficiency: Utilize your paddle beyond propulsion for stability and steering, maximizing control over your board. Balance and Control: Advanced balance techniques for SUP surfing and yoga, pushing your skills to new heights. Safety Prioritization: Emphasize safety with the right gear and awareness, regardless of skill level. Long-Distance Challenges: Explore long-distance paddling and overnight SUP trips, testing your endurance and preparation.

  • Jul 13, 2023

How to Master the Sweep Stroke on your Paddleboard

Key Highlights: The Essentials of the Sweep Stroke: Learn the key components that make the sweep stroke an indispensable technique for every paddle boarder. Sweep Stroke Variations: Discover how mastering both the standard and reverse sweep strokes can offer greater flexibility and control on the water. Step-by-Step Breakdown: From the setup to recovery, each phase of the sweep stroke is detailed for clear understanding and practice. Practical Tips for Mastery: Emphasize the importance of form, utilizing the right gear, and prioritizing safety while learning and perfecting the sweep stroke. Board Selection Guidance: Insights on how choosing the right paddle board, whether inflatable or solid, can significantly impact your ability to master the sweep stroke efficiently. Beyond the Sweep Stroke: An introduction to other essential paddling techniques to further improve your paddle boarding experienc Introduction Stand up paddle boarding is a sport that continues to grow in popularity due to its accessibility, fun, and versatility. Whether it's on a solid paddle board or an inflatable paddle board, learning and mastering the sweep stroke is a critical aspect of the sport. The sweep stroke allows you to easily change direction and maneuver your paddleboard, making your experience on the water more enjoyable. This article will guide you through the process of mastering the sweep stroke on your paddleboard, ensuring you have the technique down pat for your next adventure.

  • Jul 12, 2023

How to Master 'The Catch' on Your Stand up Paddle Board Stroke

Key Highlights: The Essence of 'The Catch': Understanding this pivotal paddle board stroke phase for optimal propulsion. Equipment Selection: Choosing the right paddle and board, including the benefits of lightweight carbon fiber paddles. Technique Tips: Detailed steps to perfect 'The Catch', from paddle positioning to the pull-back phase. Practice Strategies: Incorporating land practice, video analysis, and professional instruction for improvement. Enhanced Fitness Routine: Leveraging 'The Catch' for a full-body workout, emphasizing core strength and balance. Maintenance Advice: Importance of regular paddle board care for performance consistency. Introduction Stand up paddle boarding (SUP) has taken the water sports world by storm, due to its ease of entry and the great workout it provides. A key component of SUP is the paddle stroke, and one of the most critical parts of the stroke is 'The Catch'. It's the initial phase when the paddle enters the water, and it sets the pace for the rest of the stroke. Mastering 'The Catch' can significantly improve your paddle board experience, whether on a solid board or an inflatable paddle board.

  • Jul 6, 2023

SUPrise Your Partner: Romantic Paddle Boarding Adventures

Paddle boards and dating. Find out all you need to know. Key Highlights: Choosing the Perfect Paddle Board: Whether it's a stable solid board for smooth gliding or an inflatable board for easy transport, picking the right SUP is crucial for a comfortable experience. Adventure Gear Essentials: Don't forget your paddle, safety equipment, and some romantic extras like snacks and a waterproof camera to capture those special moments. Selecting the Perfect Spot: A calm lake or a secluded beach can set the perfect mood for your paddle boarding date. Tranquility and scenic beauty are key. Planning Fun Activities: From SUP yoga to a mini-picnic on the water, incorporating enjoyable activities can enhance your date. Safety Considerations: Always wear personal flotation devices and be mindful of the marine life. Safety ensures a worry-free adventure.

  • Jun 30, 2023

An All-Inclusive Adventure: Glide Paddle Board's Lotus Yoga SUP

With an ever-increasing interest in outdoor recreational activities, the trend for stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) has significantly expanded over the past few years. This activity not only offers an exceptional workout but also opens the door to a fun and engaging exploration of the great outdoors. Among SUP boards, Glide's Lotus Yoga SUP and O2 Lotus Yoga SUP have gained remarkable popularity. With their family and pet-friendly design, these boards have emerged as the ultimate choice for water sport enthusiasts.

  • Jun 29, 2023

The Perfect Companion for Birdwatching and Wildlife Viewing: Glide Paddle Board's O2 Angler!

Are you a nature lover, an avid bird watcher, or a wildlife enthusiast? Do you seek a tranquil escape amidst nature, coupled with some heart-pumping activity? Then Glide's O2 Angler Paddle Board is the perfect tool to enhance your outdoor experience. A fusion of tranquility, adventure, and utility, this paddle board has proven to be an excellent choice for observing and appreciating the wonders of the natural world. But why exactly is this the case? Let's dive in and see why this is one of the best options as a paddle board for birding and wildlife viewing

  • Jun 28, 2023

Preparing to Head Down a River on your Stand Up Paddle Board

Now is a great time to hit the river on your stand up paddle board. Key Highlights: Choosing the Right SUP Board: Inflatable vs. Solid - Find the perfect match for your paddling style and environment. Mastering the Paddle Stroke: Techniques for efficiency and speed, ensuring you get the most out of every paddle. Safety First: Essential gear and precautions to keep your river adventures both fun and safe. River Navigation Tips: How to read river currents and obstacles for a smoother ride. Preparation and Planning: Essential steps before hitting the river, including gear checks and understanding your paddleboard's weight capacity.

  • Jun 23, 2023

Unlocking the Health Secrets of Stand Up Paddle Boarding: A Journey Through Body and Mind

Key Highlights Engages Multiple Muscle Groups: SUP is a full-body workout that strengthens and tones the core, arms, legs, and back. Boosts Cardiovascular Health: Similar to cycling or running, SUP improves heart rate and endurance. Enhances Balance and Coordination: The constant adjustment to maintain balance on a SUP board improves proprioception and spatial awareness. Promotes Mindfulness and Reduces Stress: Being on the water and close to nature helps reduce stress levels and increases creativity. Versatile Workout Options: SUP provides a variety of exercises from calm flatwater paddling to adrenaline-fueled wave riding and SUP yoga, catering to all fitness levels. Encourages Outdoor Activity: SUP is an enjoyable way to engage in physical activity outdoors, promoting a healthy, active lifestyle. Safety Measures: Emphasizes the importance of sun protection, hydration, and awareness of weather and water conditions for a safe SUP experience.

  • Jun 21, 2023

Wave Goodbye to Belly Fat: Mastering SUP for Ultimate Fitness

Stand up paddle boarding (SUP) isn't just a trend; it's a transformative way to sculpt your body, especially targeting that stubborn belly fat. With a perfect blend of excitement, tranquility, and a full-body workout, SUP stands out as a superior fitness routine. Let's dive into how SUP can be your ally in achieving a leaner, more toned physique. Key Highlights Holistic Muscle Engagement: SUP activates leg muscles, cores, arms, back, and shoulders for a full-body workout. Calorie Burning Efficiency: With the potential to burn 300 to 1000 calories per hour, SUP is an excellent activity for weight loss. Variety of Disciplines: Incorporate SUP Yoga and Surfing to intensify workouts and target abdominal fat more effectively. Accessibility for All Levels: From serene flatwater paddling for beginners to the challenge of racing and surfing for advanced paddlers. Choosing the Right Equipment: The importance of selecting a board that suits your level and goals, whether inflatable for convenience or solid for performance. Emphasis on Safety: The necessity of a PFD, sunscreen, and environmental awareness for a safe paddling experience. Holistic Benefits: Beyond physical fitness, SUP promotes mental well-being, stress reduction, and community connections.