Every beginner makes mistakes—but avoiding the most common ones can save you from falling, getting frustrated, or wasting money. Paddleboarding on an inflatable SUP is fun and beginner-friendly, but there’s still a learning curve.
If you want your first sessions to go smoothly, it’s worth understanding the most frequent missteps new paddlers make—and how to steer clear of them. This list of common iSUP mistakes covers posture, paddling technique, setup issues, and even weather awareness.
With a little preparation and awareness, you can save yourself the embarrassment of a wobbly start and build confidence faster.
🟦 Recommended Reading: Best iSUP Features for Beginners
Standing Too Far Back or Forward 🎯
Your stance position dramatically affects how your board handles.
Too far back? The nose of the board lifts, which makes you drift, reduces tracking, and slows your glide.
Too far forward? You’ll dig the nose into the water, slowing down and increasing splash or resistance.
✅ Solution: Always stand centered—right above the carry handle, which is typically the board’s balance point. Your feet should be shoulder-width apart, parallel, and pointing forward.
If your board feels unstable, check your stance first.
Looking Down (Instead of Forward) 👀
Beginners often look down at their feet out of caution, but this only makes balancing harder.
Looking down shifts your body weight forward and creates a subtle forward hunch, which throws off your balance.
✅ Keep your eyes up, focused on the horizon. Your body will naturally align itself better and stay more upright.
This small habit makes a big difference in board control.
🟦 Recommended Reading: How to Improve Your Balance Before You Ever Step on an iSUP
Stiff Knees and Locked Legs 🚫
It’s natural to tense up when you’re nervous—but stiff legs make things worse.
Locked knees reduce your ability to absorb the board’s motion. Every little wobble feels exaggerated, making falls more likely.
✅ Always keep your knees slightly bent. This absorbs vibration, helps you adjust to small shifts in the water, and improves your overall agility.
Think of your body as a shock absorber—flexibility equals control.
Using the Paddle Backwards 🪃
One of the most common beginner mistakes—using the paddle with the blade angled the wrong way.
The paddle blade should angle away from you, curving toward the front of the board.
Using it backwards leads to:
Splashy, ineffective strokes
Poor tracking (zig-zag movement)
Early fatigue
✅ Tip: The angle on the blade is designed to maximize glide and efficiency. Double-check the orientation before you paddle.
Not Wearing a Leash 🧷
Even in calm water, skipping a leash is a safety risk. If you fall off, wind or current can quickly carry your board away. A leash keeps it tethered to your ankle so you can safely recover your board and continue paddling.
✅ Always wear a coil leash on your ankle or calf.
✅ Use a quick-release waist leash for rivers or moving water.
✅ Leashes are essential for solo paddling or windy conditions.
🟦 Recommended Reading: Do You Need a Paddleboard Leash?
Skipping a PFD (Personal Flotation Device) 🦺
A PFD (personal flotation device) may not feel necessary at first—but it’s one of the most important pieces of safety gear. Accidents happen quickly, and a PFD can keep you afloat and visible in case of injury, fatigue, or unexpected currents.
✅ Choose a Coast Guard-approved PFD rated for paddle sports.
✅ Use a compact inflatable belt PFD for minimal interference while paddling.
✅ Always wear one in deep water, cold conditions, or when paddling far from shore.
🟦 Recommended Reading: Is Paddleboarding Safe for Beginners?
Overinflating or Underinflating the Board 🎈
Inflating your board incorrectly can completely change how it feels under your feet.
Underinflated boards:
Flex too much
Feel sluggish and unstable
Are harder to paddle straight
Overinflated boards:
Risk valve or seam damage
May pop seals in hot weather
✅ Use a digital gauge and inflate to about 90–95% of max PSI. This gives you firmness without over-pressurizing.
🟦 Recommended Reading: What PSI Should You Use for Your iSUP?
Launching in Windy or Wavy Conditions 🌬️
Too much wind or chop turns learning into a struggle. Strong breezes and boat wake make boards feel twitchy and unstable.
✅ Choose calm, protected water—like a small lake, bay, or cove. Avoid paddling in:
Offshore winds over 10 knots
Whitecaps or visible wave chop
Tidal currents or boat traffic areas
Use free apps like Windy, Windfinder, or Tides Near Me to check local weather.
🟦 Recommended Reading: Paddleboarding in Windy Conditions: How to Choose a Board That Handles It
Skipping Kneeling Practice 😅
Trying to stand up right away is tempting—but it’s not always smart.
Kneeling helps you:
Feel how the board moves
Gain confidence in balance
Practice basic strokes before standing
✅ Spend 5–10 minutes paddling from your knees. It’s a safer, smoother transition to standing later.
🟦 Recommended Reading: How to Stand on an Inflatable SUP Without Falling
Taking Too Much Gear 🚢
It’s tempting to bring everything—but extra gear weighs you down, throws off balance, and clutters the deck.
✅ For your first few sessions, stick to essentials:
Small dry bag with water, sunscreen, phone
Emergency whistle
Sunglasses with strap
Leave the cooler, Bluetooth speaker, and tackle box for later once you’re confident.
🟦 Recommended Reading: What to Bring on a SUP Trip
Not Practicing Falls and Recovery 💦
Falling is part of the sport—and avoiding it entirely is unrealistic. But failing to practice it can lead to real injury.
✅ Here’s how to fall safely:
Always fall away from the board, not onto it
Land flat if possible (not feet-first)
Keep hold of your paddle if you can, or retrieve it afterward
Practice falling and getting back on in shallow water before heading out far.
Final Thoughts: Learn Smart, Paddle Happy 🧭
Everyone makes mistakes at the beginning, but knowing what to avoid puts you ahead of the curve. Take your time, build good habits early, and you’ll enjoy faster progress (and fewer swims).
✅ Center your stance
✅ Keep eyes up and knees soft
✅ Learn to fall, stand, and recover safely
✅ Use the right PSI and gear for your session
The water is forgiving—so go in with a learning mindset, stay safe, and enjoy every paddle.
Avoid Beginner Mistakes—Start with the Right iSUP ✅
Use our filter tool to find inflatable SUPs designed to help beginners get it right from the start:
Width and board size that support balance and stability
Max weight capacity and PSI suited for new paddlers
Filter for boards use cases like solo rides, paddling with kids, or casual weekend outings
Easily filter and compare boards that match your comfort zone and learning pace.