PADDLERsmart! Canada Knowledge Base

Step 1: Use the paddle as a brace and climb onto the board—stay on your knees until you get your bearings and feel balanced.

Step 2: Position your knees about hip-width apart for maximum stability.

Step 3: Grab the paddle where it extends off both sides of the board, and brace your weight against it, keeping the paddle flat across the top half of the board.

Step 4: Once you feel balanced and ready, slowly stand up, looking forward and bracing your weight on the paddle shaft.

Step 5: As you rise, make sure you stay in the 'sweet spot'. It won’t take you long to figure out where this is. It’s the spot that isn’t too far back, or too far forward on the board. It should feel nice and balanced.

Step 6: Keep your knees ‘soft’ for increased stability while standing by slightly bending your knees.