6:55Basics lesson 01
Warming up before you go in
A warm-up that loosens your shoulders, back and legs and wakes up your sense of balance.
Learn from the video →LEARN WITH STARBOARD
SUP · Starboard Guides
From meeting your gear for the first time to riding with confidence. See it in pictures and learn it together.
START WITH THE EXPERIENCE
Find your way onto the water
Understand the sport. Start with the experience you want.
Two guides for your first SUP
Before you stand up on the water,
start with these two.
Get to know the clothing and gear, then work out what makes a board right for you.
01 · What to wear and bring
What should I wear,
and what should I bring?
Paddle, leash, dry bag — point to the gear in the picture to learn what each item is for.
Explore clothing and gear
70 kg · first-time SUP
154–210 L
Reference volume example02 · A board that fits you
Which board suits
my weight and experience?
For flat water and surfing, start with the reference volume; for racing, compare models and widths first.
Find my board criteriaSTARBOARD TV · SUP BEGINNER
Your first SUP, with coach Lee Jinhee
From warming up and preparing your gear to getting on the board and paddling, follow Lee Jinhee's STARBOARD TV lessons in the order you learn. 6 basics lessons · 2 short lessons.
These lessons are taught in Korean; the moves are easy to follow on screen.
Coach Lee JinheeSUP athlete and coach · View team profile →6:55
5:27Basics lesson 04
Getting on the board and paddling seated
Your first moves, from climbing onto the board to paddling while seated and keeping your balance.
Learn from the video →
8:10Basics lesson 06
Paddling and the power zone
The basics of paddling: the board's center, where you look, and the part of the stroke where you put power into the paddle.
Learn from the video →See it, then read along
49 guides
SUP · 4-minute read
Your first SUP: shall we find the board that suits you?
From your height and weight to where you'll store it: 10 questions to think about before choosing your first board.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 4-minute read
Hard board or inflatable: which SUP is right for you?
Performance, storage, transport and durability. Find the board that fits your life from four angles.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 4-minute read
Paddle length: how much to add to your height?
Even at the same height, the length differs for surfing and flat water. Let's read Starboard's reference chart together.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 4-minute read
Getting on a SUP, and getting back on after a fall
Start slowly from a kneeling position. Learn how to stand up on the board and how to climb back on from the side.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 4-minute read
Inflatable SUP: from setup to storage
Check the valve, then rinse, dry and store. Small habits that get you ready for the next ride.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 4-minute read
Paddle basics: which way it faces and how to hold it
Which way should the blade face? Knowing your hand spacing and grip makes your first paddle much easier.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 5-minute read
If your SUP keeps turning, start with paddling straight
Where you look, where the blade goes in and the angle you hold the paddle. Small differences that help you go straight.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 4-minute read
The reverse stroke: slowing down and stopping
Push the water the opposite way to your forward stroke. Start by practicing slowing down calmly.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 4-minute read
The sweep stroke: a wide sweep to change direction
Move the paddle in a wide arc away from the board. Learn why sweeping on the right turns you to the left.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 4-minute read
Center fin: installing it and setting its position
From the small screw plate to how far forward or back the fin sits. Set it up step by step before you go in.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 4-minute read
Leashes: choosing and checking matter as much as attaching
Not all leashes are the same. Choose the type that suits where you ride, and check how to attach and release it.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 4-minute read
Getting your SUP board to the water with ease
Watch the wind as you lift the board, and secure it calmly on the car. Getting there is part of getting ready to ride.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 5-minute read
Your first SUP tour: what to pack before you leave
The weather and your way back, water and snacks, and a way to call for help on you. Fill your tour bag step by step.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 4-minute read
Pump getting heavy? Switch modes
Double action pushes air on both the up and down strokes. Switch to single action as the pressure rises.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 4-minute read
Inflatable SUP: packing it into the bag the easy way
From letting the air out to protecting the valve and fin and tidying the straps. Run through the order before you fold.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 4-minute read
Paddle blades: what changes when the shape changes?
Use the original Enduro and Lima comparison to see how the catch feels and what each is for.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 4-minute read
Sideways, not forward: learning the draw stroke
Move sideways without changing the board's direction much. Pull toward the rail and slice out toward the tail.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 4-minute read
Across the nose: learning the crossbow turn
A turn to learn after the basic sweep. Rotate your body and carry the move through a wide arc.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 4-minute read
In a headwind, check your stance and your way back
Get lower and shorten your stroke. Learn how to cut wind resistance, and make the right call before you set out.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 4-minute read
When you need help, signal clearly with both arms
Arms out to the sides, moving up and down together. Remember the distress signal and be ready to call for help.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 4-minute read
Sun on the water: prepare your skin too
A rash guard, sunscreen and some shade to rest in. What to bring for sun protection on the water.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 4-minute read
Before, during and after paddling, make time to drink
Read the athlete's hydration example in the original, then plan water and rest for your own session.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 4-minute read
When you lose your balance, think of the board and your head first
Four surf-scene pictures on what to protect when you fall and how much space to keep around you.
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SUP · 4-minute read
SUP with your dog: start by getting comfortable together
A dog life jacket, deck pad and drinking water. Six things to check before you ride together.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 4-minute read
SUP racing: three things to practice before speed
See Fiona Wylde's footwork, starts and love of the sport in pictures.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 4-minute read
SUP on moving rivers: what to learn first
Before you go, read the whitewater checklist on companions, training, route, water level and fitness.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 4-minute read
SUP surfing: watch from the shore, prepare on the board
Read the pictures on checking waves, wind and people alongside the pictures on foot position.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 4-minute read
Only your arms working? Check your paddling form
Read Connor Baxter's form pictures pointing out the core, arms, knees and top hand.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 4-minute read
Forward, sideways and turning: the basic strokes at a glance
Review on one page the movement each of the five strokes creates.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 4-minute read
Getting back on from the tail of the board
Five scenes showing how to climb back on using the tail handle.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 4-minute read
SUP yoga: feel your balance in low poses
Two pictures showing the support points, center and gaze in tabletop and tree pose.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 4-minute read
Opening up with SUP yoga: reading three poses
Find the shoulders, gaze and supporting points in the pigeon, reverse plank and mermaid pictures.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 4-minute read
The SUP headstand picture: how to read an advanced pose
Look at the support points and center line in the original headstand, without treating it as a task for beginners.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 4-minute read
Two air chambers? Getting to know the double chamber
Two pictures showing how the Deluxe double chamber is built and the backup buoyancy it gives.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 4-minute read
Getting to the water: find the way to carry that suits you
Shoulder straps, paddle holders and carrying overhead: see your options for getting around.
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SUP · 4-minute read
Many riders, one board: how to enjoy team SUP
Picnic, racing and teamwork ideas for large team boards, in pictures.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 4-minute read
A small grabber on your paddle: meet the trash picker
With the trash picker mounting picture, think about how to collect litter on the water without overdoing it.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 4-minute read
How plastic bottles become a board bag
Follow the six steps of RE-COVER and Waste2Wear through photos and illustrations.
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SUP · 4-minute read
The wood inside your board: what is end-grain balsa?
A look at the balsa used in sandwich construction and the original environmental notes.
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SUP · 4-minute read
Bio resin: what does the "bio" mean?
Learn what resin made with plant-based, renewable ingredients means, using the original artwork.
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SUP · 4-minute read
Discarded fishing nets become fins: the NetPositive story
Read the parts made from recycled fishing nets separately from the comparison figures in the original.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 4-minute read
Boards and mangroves: reading the numbers in the picture together
A past program introduced as one board, one tree, and how the way it's counted has changed.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 4-minute read
Fixed-length paddle: check the length before you cut
From measuring the length to aligning the handle: what to check in the original instructions for trimming a fixed paddle.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 4-minute read
If a fixed fin is bent, check the material first
Why the original picture of reshaping with heat shouldn't be applied to every fin.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 4-minute read
Leisure and racing start from different paddle lengths
Read the difference in length by use, based on Connor Baxter's hand measure.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 4-minute read
A day at the water: what goes in the bucket?
From a water bottle to spare clothes and simple tools, a packing picture that thinks about the trip there and back.
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SUP · 4-minute read
SUP expeditions in cold places: how are they different from summer tours?
Read about cold-weather gear and quotes from offshore paddlers in the context of an expedition.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 4-minute read
Beach cleanups: start together, finish the job together
From choosing a site to sorting and disposal, plan a small cleanup with Starboard's six steps.
Read with illustrations ↗
SUP · 4-minute read
The ZEN 6-year warranty tag: does it still apply?
Use a past campaign's tag to read the eligible products, purchase date, registration deadline and what's covered.
Read with illustrations ↗