Free U.S. Shipping on most orders over $49 | Local pickup available at checkout

Menu
Olympic Outdoor Center
0
  • Shop
  • Rent
    • Locations
      • Port Gamble, WA
      • Poulsbo, WA
      • Silverdale, WA
      • Redondo, WA
    • Kayaks
    • Paddle Boards
    • Mountain Bikes
    • Car Camping Kits
  • Learn
    • Adult Instruction
    • Youth Day Camps
    • Private Instruction
  • Adventure
    • Tours
    • Events
  • Sign in
  • USD $
  • Your Cart is Empty
Olympic Outdoor Center
  • Shop
  • Rent
    • Locations
    • Port Gamble, WA
    • Poulsbo, WA
    • Silverdale, WA
    • Redondo, WA
    • Kayaks
    • Paddle Boards
    • Mountain Bikes
    • Car Camping Kits
  • Learn
    • Adult Instruction
    • Youth Day Camps
    • Private Instruction
  • Adventure
    • Tours
    • Events
  • Search
  • Sign in
  • Cart
  • Currency

Home   Expert Advice   How to Safely Fall off your SUP
expert-advice forrest-wells sup

How to Safely Fall off your SUP

by Forrest Wells May 15, 2018

Learning how to safely fall off a SUP board and how to get back aboard are important skills to master. This article sites the best way to land in the water and different techniques for climbing back on the board, rescuing your paddle and standing back up on the board.

At some point, especially as you push the edge of your skills envelope, you may fall off your board. When you do lose your balance, fall away from the board and don’t land on your paddle. Never fall head first, you might strike an underwater object; either fall flat or land feet first. In a perfect world hit the water with your backside to avoid injuring your feet and ankles especially in a shallow water scenario near shore, in the surf or in the river.

When you’re in the water, you’ll want to stay with your board; you can use the board to go for your paddle, but not the other way around. Always wear a leash, to ensure you don't become separated from your SUP.

To get back on the board from the side, use the carry handle to assist in pulling your chest onto the board. When climbing up on the board from the tail, push the board down and slide your chest over the tail (back of the board). Be aware that when wearing a foam life jacket, or an inflatable waist PFD in the front, they can snag on the board as you climb on. Once you’re back on the board you can hand paddle your way to gather up your paddle.

To stand back up on the board, start by laying the paddle across the board in front of you. While hanging onto the paddle, get up on your knees and one-at-a-time, bring your feet up onto the board and lift yourself up with your legs, like recovering from a squat.

At this point it’s important to get your paddle in the water. An active paddle provides a stabilizing point for keeping your balance.

  • Share:



Forrest Wells
Forrest Wells

Author

Guide & ACA Instructor
Forrest is a BCU 4 star paddler, ACA open water advanced instructor, ACA SUP instructor, Alaska Kayak Guide and has his 200 ton Master's ship license. He is an avid outdoorsman and kayak/SUP racer. He also helps coach water polo, plays a mean guitar and can cook up a tasty oyster on the half-shell.



Also in Expert Advice

SUP for Beginners: A Guide to Getting Started

by Forrest Wells January 02, 2020

Stand Up Paddle-Boarding is a fun and exciting low impact method to explore your local waterways. Lets talk about some of the basics you will need to know before "diving in"

Read More

Emptying a Whitewater Kayak while on the River
expert-advice how-to safety whitewater
Emptying a Whitewater Kayak while on the River

by Forrest Wells December 20, 2019

Emptying a swamped whitewater kayak is slightly different from emptying a swamped sea kayak because the boats are much smaller and more manageable, and because the shore is often much closer. Still, a little technique can make a big difference.

Read More

Keep your Gear Dry while Kayaking or Canoeing
buyers-guide dry-bag dry-case kayaking paddling touring
Keep your Gear Dry while Kayaking or Canoeing

by Drew Pennington December 18, 2019

No matter your experience level, wet gear is always a concern while on the water. Whether taking a quick afternoon paddle or a month long expedition, you need the right protection to keep all your stuff dry.

Read More

+Page title

  • This section doesn’t currently include any content.

+Recent Articles

  • SUP for Beginners: A Guide to Getting Started
    January 02, 2020
  • Emptying a Whitewater Kayak while on the River
    December 20, 2019
  • Keep your Gear Dry while Kayaking or Canoeing
    December 18, 2019
  • How to put on a Drysuit
    December 17, 2019
  • How to do a Kayak Wet Exit
    December 17, 2019
  • On Water Safety
    December 15, 2019
  • Caring for and Maintaining your Kayak
    December 14, 2019
  • Stand Up Paddle Board Safety
    December 14, 2019
  • Foundational SUP Skils
    November 06, 2019
  • How to Pack your Kayak
    September 05, 2019
Follow

Contact Us

Phone: (360) 297-4659

Email: info@olympicoutdoorcenter.com

Olympic Outdoor Center
32379 Rainier Ave.
Port Gamble, WA 98364

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Our Locations
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Shipping Info
  • Returns & Exchanges

Sign up to get the latest on sales, new releases and more…

Currency

© 2022 Olympic Outdoor Center.
Powered by Shopify

Amazon American Express Apple Pay Diners Club Discover Facebook Pay Google Pay Mastercard PayPal Shop Pay Venmo Visa