How many times have you passed up an adventure because your friends canceled at the last minute? Maybe you thought about going solo but found the idea too daunting. Take paddleboarding, for example. You had planned a morning paddle with your friends, but at the last moment, they backed out. Feeling disappointed, you canceled too, thinking it would be too risky to go alone. But here’s the thing—solo paddleboarding can be an amazing experience! Ready to learn how? Let’s dive into some tips to help you feel confident about paddling on your own.
Paddleboarding Solo: With These Tips, You’ll Never Look Back
1. Share Your Plan with Emergency Contacts Before heading out solo, it’s crucial to keep a few trusted people in the loop. Make sure to:
- Choose three reliable contacts and inform them of your trip details.
- Share your live GPS location through your phone.
- Set a return time and let them know when to expect you back.
- Establish a cutoff time—if they don’t hear from you by then, they’ll know to take action (hopefully, this won’t be needed, but it’s always smart to plan).
2. Preparation is Key Being well-prepared ensures a smooth and safe adventure. Here’s a checklist to make sure you have all the essentials:
- Life jacket
- PFD (Personal Flotation Device) and leash
- First aid kit
- Warm clothing
- Plenty of drinking water
- High-calorie snacks
- Power bank for your phone
- Waterproof case for your phone
3. Paddle Within Safe Limits It can be tempting to paddle as far as your energy takes you, but remember—you’ll need to paddle back. Choose areas where there will be others nearby and steer clear of unfamiliar waters, especially if you’re alone.
4. Don’t Let Overconfidence Get the Best of You When paddling solo, avoid pushing beyond your skill level. Stay away from shallow rivers with strong currents or rocky bottoms. It’s better to keep things simple and safe.
5. Pay Attention to Wind Conditions Before hitting the water, always check the wind direction. If you’re paddling back against the wind, you could burn more energy than you realize. Avoid offshore winds entirely, regardless of their strength.
Safety First! Paddleboarding is an exciting, adrenaline-pumping sport, and solo trips can be just as rewarding as group outings if done safely. If you’ve been thinking about a paddleboarding adventure but aren’t sure where to start, check out some inflatable SUP options that will set you up for success.
Solo paddleboarding? Yes, you can!
