Questions From the Beginners
The accessibility of stand up paddling has grown over the last several years. It's easier than ever to rent or buy a board and head out on your own, which is a great thing! We want more people to get stoked on SUP because that means more people enjoying and raising awareness of our waterways and more people supporting the industry. But it also means that we see a lot of people out on the water paddling without some fundamental pieces of information. So, we've compiled a list of questions we get from new paddlers and address why we think taking a SUP lesson is so important. And, along the way we give you a little insight into why we love to teach!
What's your biggest piece of advice for new paddlers?
Scott: As easy as SUP appears to be (and yeah, it's pretty easy) in just three hours I can teach you six things that will change the way you think about paddling.
Meredith: Don't feel pressured to follow industry trends when you first start paddling. The type of paddling that gives you the biggest cheese ball grin is the type of paddling you should be doing. Just have fun with it!
Why are lessons important?
Scott: Lessons help you enjoy the sport. You'll know more about how to be efficient and make the most of your time on the water. And, you learn a lot about safety for yourself and for others out on the water. Lessons teach you how to avoid injury, execute proper strokes, have proper form, and avoid hazardous situations when conditions are challenging.
Meredith: I think it's always great to take an introductory lesson for any sport or activity that's based in a dynamic, ever-changing environment. Can you go out on your own and do it? Sure! But don't you want to make sure you're doing it the right way (you know, paddling straight rather than moving from side-to-side), and being safe on the water? There are some fundamental strokes and maneuvers that, as Scott said, will make you so much more efficient and safe when conditions get rough (and trust me, that can happen in the blink of an eye).
How much should a lesson cost me?
Scott: This is a tough question to answer. It can really vary depending on the length of the lesson (is it a program/series or a one-time class?), the type of lesson (is it for beginners or are you learning more advanced concepts?), and the outfitter or instructors (are you being taught by certified SUP instructors?). In the end, the amount of money you're willing to spend is a personal decision.
Meredith: Just do your research. Take into account those things Scott mentioned and look into your options and research the outfitter and/or instructors. Only you can determine your goals and what you want to get out of it.
How do I choose an outfitter or instructor?
Scott: I'm a big proponent of instructor certifications. If you think about it, why would you expect to learn the right and wrong things to do from someone who hasn't been taught the right and wrong things to do? Now, that's not to say there aren't very skilled, non-certified instructors out there. But I think it's a better rule of thumb to go with someone who's been certified to teach. I personally think the American Canoe Association has one of the strongest instructor certification programs out there. They don't hand out certifications easily, and they're the oldest governing body of paddlesports. As an industry and a sport, I think we only have more to gain from the knowledge and experience from other older sports out there.
In addition to teaching certifications, it's important that your instructor be First Aid and CPR certified. That's a no-brainer to me.
Meredith: I agree with Scott. Because SUP is so accessible and easy, it's natural to think you don't need a piece of paper to tell you that you know what you're doing. But that piece of paper goes beyond just being a formality. It shows people that you've taken the time, the interest, and the practice to become certified not just to SUP, but to teach someone how to SUP. I think that's an important distinction to make. I'm literate. I know how to read. And while I could help a child pronounce words and syllables, it doesn't mean that I could teach a child the proper technique to learn to read. And what if one method isn't successful? Do you have in your back pocket another way to teach the same concept in a different way?
What advice do we have for people who don't want to take the time for a lesson?
Scott: Make the time. And if you can't or don't want to, don't get mad when someone yells from shore "your paddle's backwards," and don't get frustrated and say "I keep paddling in circles and I don't know why."
Meredith: At the very least you should educate yourself on the the rules and regulations for the sport. This makes the sport safe for you and others, and it also helps to preserve the sport. If people don't educate themselves they can unintentionally contribute to restrictions on our sport.
Is it really safe to paddle in the Potomac?
Scott: I've been in and out of the Potomac River since I was 15-years-old. It was really unsafe back then. The Potomac is one of the reasons why the Clean Water Act was passed because every day Congress members would cross our bridges and could physically see the cesspool it was. Do we still have a long way to go? Absolutely. But, the more people care, the more progress we'll see. I encourage every one of my students to pick up a piece of trash when they're out on the water because eventually it all ends up in our line-ups and every little bit helps.
Meredith: There are definitely times I don't want to paddle in the Potomac or Anacostia Rivers. I typically avoid these bodies of water after a heavy rain or flood because there's either pollution or a lot of debris, or both. Just be smart about it. If I accidentally fall in or get wet I just make sure I don't have any open wounds. And if I do, I put some iodine on them when I get home.
What piece of equipment do you recommend to buy first if you're starting from scratch?
Scott: Safety equipment, like a PFD or a helmet, or a paddle. The safety equipment is for obvious reasons. Know the history of the equipment if you're buying used and always test it out, even if it's new. You never want to be in an actual emergency situation learning how to use your equipment for the first time. I recommend a paddle because I see people progress so quickly when they have a paddle that's fitted and properly weighted (i.e. not as heavy as a typical rental paddle). And, I recommend buying the most expensive paddle you can afford through a reputable company. Why? They're usually the lightest paddle and a good brand will always back its equipment.
Meredith: I echo Scott's advice. I'd also recommend supporting your local shops. This will make a huge difference in the long run. There's nothing wrong with with big box stores, but your local board shops will sell you properly fitted equipment from nationally known brands. It can seem daunting to buy your own gear when you see the price tags, but buying cheap often leaves you with equally cheap equipment that can't be properly repaired or replaced if something goes wrong. And, there are a lot of opportunities to buy used in this industry. Check with local shops to see if there are any deals on last season's models, visit gear swaps, and check out the classifieds on the Distressed Mullet website. People are always selling their equipment in order to upgrade, and one day you will, too!
Why do you teach?
Scott: I've been a coach/instructor for most of my adult life. If I could find a full time way to teach SUP I definitely would. I love the feeling I get of sharing my stoke and passing it along to other people.
Meredith: Teaching is fun, especially in the DC area, because there are still so many people who don't know much about the sport. People are typically intrigued when I tell them that I SUP, and then they're usually surprised when I tell them I teach SUP classes and I race. As much as the sport has grown, there's still a lot of people out there who don't know about all of the facets of this sport. I love to tell people about the unique paddling opportunities available right here in DC - from races, to lessons, to river surfing. It's fun to show people a different side to their city and to help promote conservation and just appreciation of nature and our waterways in general.
What's your funniest teaching moment?
Scott: When Meredith first started paddling we always wore inherently buoyant PFDs, whether we were paddling in white water or flat. One evening she came out for a lesson and I could've sworn she was topless. Turns out her bikini just matched the PFD so well it was hidden. It was an embarrassing moment for me (and I'm sure for her, too, when I called her over to tell her we always had to wear clothing under our gear). But, we laugh at it now.
Meredith: One evening we had a race/fitness class out on the C&O Canal. We had a good pace going and a guy running along the towpath took a look at us as he passed and doubled back to shout: "Hey, I think you've got your paddle backwards! It's supposed to be the other way!" While I couldn't come to a complete stop to educate him on the right (and wrong) way to hold a paddle, I did quickly tell him that we were in fact doing it correctly. Hey, just another reason why lessons are helpful!
What don't you like about teaching?
Scott: Risk management and safety. There's a lot of pressure being responsible for everyone's well-being and life out there. After a day of teaching it can be a little mentally draining.
Meredith: I hate dampening anyone's fun, and some people don't want to think about the sport through a safety lens. Sometimes it can be tough to tow the line between "this sport is so easy and fun" and "you need to take your paddling safety seriously."
Interested in taking a lesson? Have questions about SUP? Shoot us an email at info@dcsupcouple.com. Interested in taking a lesson? Have questions about SUP? Shoot us an email at info@dcsupcouple.com.
