Paddle boarding is fun and enjoyable summer pastime, and one that more people should consider adding to their sunshine repertoire. But, it’s possible to make your time spent on the gentle waves even more enjoyable and fun-filled!
Bring Food
While paddle boarding is fun, part of the fun is getting away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, and back to nature. As a very physical activity, it can work up quite the appetite. This can present a problem, as quick and easy sources of food are somewhat opposed to the pristine natural beauty that a paddle boarding trip can offer. There’s an easy solution, and that is a picnic on the water! Pack your food beforehand and enjoy to the sights and sounds of nature and the gentle waves.
Fun and Games
Who said all you could do on your paddle boarding excursion is paddle around? Bring an inflatable beach ball with you and play catch or other games with your fellow paddle-mates. The possibilities are as endless as the games you and your friends can come up with.
Bring a Buddy
A journey accompanied by good conversation is never a long one. Bring a friend to paddle board along with you. The friendly banter and company will make the time seem to fly by. Additionally, a friend may notice some of the beautiful sights of nature that you may not and point them out to you. Who would want to miss the sight of a bald eagle in flight simply because their attention was focused elsewhere?
Make it a Work Out
Paddle boarding is a workout in and of itself, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make it more intense if you want to. There are a myriad of exercises that you can do on a paddle board, from low impact yoga and Pilates, to higher impact squats, burpees, jogging, and more! It may seem intimidating at first, but even if you fall into the water, you can rest assured that it won’t hurt one bit.
Conserve Your Energy
Maybe additional exercise isn’t your thing, and that’s okay! Paddle boarding can be an enjoyable activity for people of all energy and fitness levels. But, if you’re on the lower end of that spectrum, it’s important to know how to paddle board effectively so that you have greater stamina and don’t grow frustrated from fatigue. That’s why it’s so important not to make the beginner mistake of paddling with your arms. Instead, what you want to do is keep your arms relatively straight and engage your core muscles to produce the power behind your paddle. Your core is a group of stronger and more diverse muscles. When you paddle with your core, you produce more momentum with less effort and thus can spend more time on the water enjoying the scenery you love.
If you’re seeking your next adventure on the gentle waves, paddle boarding is an excellent choice that can be made far more fun than you’d think on the surface.