Fun Ways To Improve Your Paddling Skills This Year

Paddling is one of the most enjoyable watersports on the planet, but becoming a better paddler takes hard work. While strength training and improving technique take time, there is no rule that says practice can’t be fun. If you want to become a better paddler, but aren’t looking forward to the difficult task ahead, then you should find ways to make it more fun.

Some great ways to have fun while improving your paddling skills include trying SUP yoga, paddling with more experienced friends, and playing catch in your vessel. Try short races while paddling with others to improve your stamina, and practice capsize recovery near beautiful beaches. Go snorkeling while paddling to practice exiting and entering your vessel, join a paddling club, or take a class to become a paddling instructor.

It takes time to become an expert paddler, but there’s no harm in making this practice enjoyable. If you’re committed to improving your paddling skills this year, then keep reading. Below is a list of creative ways to have fun while improving your paddling skills.

10 Fun Ways To Become A Better Paddler This Year

1. Paddle With More Experienced Friends

Paddling with a buddy isn’t only safer than paddling alone, but it’s also a lot more fun. You have someone to talk to and keep you company on the water. If you’re looking to improve your paddling skills, paddle with a friend who is a more advanced paddler than you.

A faster and stronger paddler will help push you to the next level in terms of speed and strength. Furthermore, someone with more time on the water can likely offer you helpful tips you might not learn on your own. Best of all, you’ll have a great time.

2. Have Short Speed Races While Paddling

One of the least enjoyable aspects of training to become a better paddler is strength training. If you aren’t a gym fan and find drills on land undesirable, try turning training into a game. Racing your paddling vessel in short bursts is a fantastic way to build speed and strength.

Whenever you paddle with friends, consider adding short races along your route, especially in calm, protected waters. Racing turns strength drills into a fun and friendly competition, and it won’t feel like work at all.

3. Try SUP Yoga

To be a great paddler, you must have a strong core. One of the best ways to improve your core strength is through balancing exercises like yoga. SUP yoga is a great way to strengthen all the muscles you use while paddling, and it’s also a great way to stretch.

Best of all, SUP yoga is done on a paddleboard, which means you get to paddle before and after, instead of being stuck inside a gym.

4. Take Up Swimming To Improve Strength

If you aren’t a fan of lifting weights, but love the water, then try swimming as exercise. Locate a nearby lap swimming pool and commit to swimming for thirty minutes or more several times per week.

Swimming is one of the best exercises for paddlers, as it is another full-body workout. Furthermore, being a strong swimmer is an important skill to have as a paddler, as you will inevitably find yourself in the water at some point.

5. Practice Capsize Recovery In Beautiful Locations

Practicing safety is essential for every paddler. The more you paddle, the more safety drills you should master. Capsize recovery is one of the most important skills a paddler must master, especially as you venture further into open water. Unfortunately, learning this skill isn’t always fun.

To make capsize recovery more enjoyable, consider finding a beautiful location, such as shallow water near a sandy beach. You can enjoy a relaxing beach day when you aren’t practicing capsize recovery.

6. Go Snorkeling From Your Paddling Vessel

Snorkeling from a paddling vessel is a great way to enjoy the underwater world, especially in locations that motorized vessels can’t reach. Snorkeling is not only a great workout but also a good way to build your paddling muscles. It is also fantastic for those looking to practice exiting and entering a vessel while on the water.

It takes balance, timing, and strength to propel yourself onto a vessel, and it’s always better to practice as much as possible, so you are comfortable performing this task in the event of an emergency.

7. Play Catch In Your Paddling Vessel

One fun game you can play when paddling in a group is catch. Catch is an enjoyable pastime on a beach or in a park, but there is an added thrill when playing catch from a SUP board or kayak.

Throwing and catching a ball from a paddling vessel requires coordination and balance. Not only will you sharpen your balance and improve your core strength, but you’ll have fun with your friends in the process.

8. Join A Paddling Club

Paddling clubs are a great way to become a more involved and better paddler. These clubs are a great way to make new friends and meet paddling buddies with diverse experiences. Furthermore, they often have separate paddling groups and routes for people at different skill levels.

Joining these clubs encourages you to paddle more often and provides an incentive to continuously improve, with the support of new friends.

9. Become A Paddling Instructor

If you are already an experienced paddler and now want to master your skills, consider becoming a paddling instructor or guide. You can take various courses and earn certificates to become a licensed instructor or guide.

You learn tons of valuable safety and rescue tips in these courses. Once you earn these certificates, you can start earning money while performing the hobby you love.

10. Practice Drills On Land When The Weather Doesn’t Cooperate

If there are strong winds or there’s rain, don’t let this bad weather dampen your spirits. Instead, use it as a chance to practice your skills on land. There are various mobility drills you can repeat on land that will make you a stronger paddler. It's always important to remember that you can improve your paddling skills on land as much as you can on the water.