Wiping out is part of learning to standup surf. An instructor once told me, “If you’re not falling, you’re not trying hard enough.” Here’s a few techniques on how to fall gracefully to avoid injury. First, don’t fall. When in doubt, use a paddle stroke. A brace stroke can provide that split-second recovery: lowering your [...]

Every day in the ocean is different, and though most of us prefer to ride waves on our frontside (toe side), conditions don’t always cooperate. Chuck Patterson’s tips will help you dial your backside cutback and keep you in the wave’s power pocket.

The Art of Downwind Paddling

The spring issue of SUP magazine features our first ever Board Guide–a comprehensive rundown of some of the industry’s best rides. So what if this is your first SUP? How do you choose the size, shape and style of your precious new toy? We solicited lifelong shaper and waterman Brian Szymanksi to give us his [...]

Full of equal parts intimidation and excitement, I head to Laguna Beach to meet up with four strangers for my SUP Boot Camp indoctrination. It’s just shy of 0800 as I pull up to Stand Up Paddle Co., and spot the ubiquitous Werner Paddles Dodge Sprinter van. Moments later an extremely fit and cheerful Nikki [...]

Standup paddling makes everything more fun. Shin-high waves become bragging fodder. Your local lake can be surfed. And moving water, even the easy stuff, is like a carnival ride minus the sketchy carnies and corndogs. Here, whitewater kayaking legend and river SUP guru Dan Gavere shows us how to exit an eddy with style. Eddies [...]

So you got a new board for Christmas? Let’s go back to basics and look at something SUP magazine skills contributor Rob Casey likes to call the Tail Lift. If you’ve had difficulty lifting your board from its side or using the deck handle, if there is one, then the tail lift technique may be [...]

Rob Casey With temps dropping into the 30′s at night and new snow in the mountains, I’ve had to accept the hard reality that it’s winter and I’ll have to start wearing more clothes to stay warm while paddling. As much as I like winter, I already miss the simplicity of a t-shirt, shorts and [...]

Before becoming one of the hottest racers in standup paddling, Danny Ching paddled strictly outrigger canoe and captured the solo world championship in 2008. Outrigger paddling is an ancient discipline, with centuries-old Polynesian roots and well established techniques. In contrast, standup paddling is an infant. The most seasoned vets have paddled little more than five [...]

The number one concern people have about learning to SUP is whether they’ll be able to stand up. People often tell me, “I have poor balance,” but that’s not a deal breaker. I first tried SUP at a resort on the Big Island several years ago. The resort boards were narrow and tippy for my [...]