Land Paddling For Beginners
Around 2012, paddle boarding became the biggest trend on earth and the water sport with the quickest rate of growth. Although it was becoming increasingly popular, not everyone could use it.
Paddleboarding wasn’t for everyone for several reasons, including the expensive cost of equipment, large, heavy boards, and a reputation as an “extreme activity” (as many people considered it a subset of surfing).
A new board sport called land paddling (sometimes known as “Street Stand up Paddling”) and an innovative device called the Kahuna Creations Big Stick was launched around the same time.
Land paddling, inspired by stand-up paddle boarding (SUP surfing), is a thrilling, enjoyable, and welcoming physical exercise that can be performed on any flat surface.
This post intends to instruct you on all aspects of land paddling, including how to Land Paddle, DIY Land Paddle, and the Benefits of Land Paddling, and I’ll share my experience with you.
So let’s get into it!
What is Land Paddling?
A longboard and a land paddle are used for land paddling. By utilizing the longboard stick, the rider of the longboard can travel farther without having to pump.
Besides acting as a brake, the longboard paddle guides the rider in the desired turning direction.
For those looking to try out a new board sport, go no further than stand-up street paddling, which is also fun and ideal for novices.
Whether you’ve never been on a board before or are a seasonal snowboarder, surfer, paddle boarder, wake boarder, or kite boarder, land paddling is a terrific way to get in shape and infuse your spirit with the pure, unfettered feeling of the great outdoors.
Land Paddling Equipment
Land Paddle Stick
While maintaining a tall, erect stance on your longboard, grab your Adjustable Land Paddle and place it on its end in front of you. The telescopic handle can be adjusted so that the stick’s grip is level with your head when you stand with your feet together.
This is only a suggestion; after some experience, you can decide that you prefer a stick that is a hair longer or shorter.
Land Paddle Longboard
You can land paddling on almost any longboard, but with so many options, you can be asking what the greatest longboard is for land paddling.
There are some forms and patterns that I find to be superior for land paddling, so let’s examine a few of my favorites.
Paddling on land necessitates a wide stance on the board to exert the required force with the paddle; therefore, a long, flat, broad board is ideal.
If you’re in the market for a longboard, I’d like to recommend two shapes. Longboards come in two distinct shapes: the drop-through and the torpedo.
How to Land Paddling? – Step by Step
Correct Stance
Turn your body forward as you step onto the longboard. Position your leading foot behind the bolts on the front wheels. The distance between your rear foot and front foot should be equal to that of your shoulder width.
Maintain a bending position on your knees. Do not make any drastic moves from here until you have gained more experience.
Don’t start from a full stop, and attempt to paddle your longboard with your stick. In the start, you need to get your longboard rolling.
The best way to get your longboard going quickly is to stand on it and propel yourself forward by kicking your foot out.
Make sure both feet are on the board and settle into a paddling position that’s easy for you.
Hand Position
A land paddle stick is held in the same manner as a canoe or boat paddle. You’ll put your right hand on the t-handle and your left hand approximately waist high if you ride goofy, push with your left leg, 2-3 feet down the paddle shaft.
If you paddle in the typical position (right leg forward), your left hand should be on the handle, and your right hand should be around two to three feet down the paddle’s shaft.
Front side Vs. Backside Stroke
When you’re just getting into land paddle boarding, you can hear two names tossed around: front side and backside land paddle stroke.
When you swim, you’ll utilize your dominant, open-body side to push off using a stroke known as the front side stroke.
For the backside paddle stroke, you’ll want to paddle over your body and up the board’s opposite side.
You have maintained a similar footing on the board. You move your arms to the other side of the board and continue paddling.
If you want to avoid developing a “Popeye” asymmetry in your body, it’s a good idea to alternate your dominant arm and side occasionally.
Turing
Your longboard will pivot where your toes are pointed if you do a toe-side turn. Push down with your toes when riding a longboard. As a result, your board would lean to the left if you ride goofy (right leg forward on the board).
If you normally ride (with your left leg front on the board), this would cause your board to lean to the right. Advanced riders can also set the road grip and pivot off it to make turns.
A turn of the longboard in the direction the heels are pointing is called a heel-side turn. Hold down both heels and push down when riding a longboard.
This will cause your board to lean to the right if you ride goofy (right leg forward on the board).
With your typical riding stance (left leg front on the board), your board would lean to the left.
Stopping
While land paddling, you have a few alternatives for resting. The first is to put your weight onto your dominant foot and gradually decrease your pressure until you stop walking.
When I’m walking or running, I like to use the sole of my foot as a brake to slow down and stop.
If you choose, you can also utilize your land paddle in a similar fashion by cautiously pressing down on the ground with your road grip.
You should use extreme caution and avoid touching the road grip with the back wheels.
You will have a terrible nosedive off the front of your longboard if the road grip makes contact with your rear wheels.
Alternatively, you can leap off the nose of your board. For safety reasons, whenever you step off your board, you want the board to kick back behind you, not in front of you, to prevent a “banana peel” slide and fall.
When falling, it’s preferable to land on your feet rather than your back since it leaves your hands free to act as makeshift support. When you take an unanticipated tumble backward, it might be more difficult to accomplish this.
Benefits of Land Paddling
Land paddling is an excellent method to become in shape since it improves cardiovascular fitness, strengthens muscles, and releases feel-good hormones like endorphins.
Strength
Stability, back support, and injury avoidance all depend on the strength of your abdominal muscles. And they should be a component of any exercise routine.
Forgo the crunches and planks in favor of a core-burning super-session thanks to the SUP Stick and your steady longboard paddling. Wish to increase the volume? Twist and turn to target the obliques, a muscle group that is notoriously difficult to strengthen.
Stamina
Training over longer distances is a great method to build Stamina and endurance. You can enhance your endurance and track your progress by paddling on land and doing things like laps, riding bike paths, and climbing hills.
Test your limits by seeing whether you can run more laps or climb that steep hill you’ve been eyeing.
Flexibility
Even though it may not seem like it, you are really stretching throughout your land paddling practice. With each upward reach throughout the paddle-through-to-push transition, you’re bolstering your flexibility and range of motion.
SUP Stick helps increase mobility even further by simulating the down stroke of a water paddle.
When you’re land paddling, you’re also stretching as you stoop, extend, and weave. You’ll gain flexibility and support for the connective tissue that holds your muscles together (the fascia) if you include active and dynamic stretching into your workout routine.
DIY Land Paddle
First, I paid $20 for an old JP Australia adjustable SUP paddle I discovered on Gum tree. I used a hacksaw to chop the paddle off at the base.
After that, I scrambled in my mind for an item I could use as a rubber foot on the foundation. And then I recalled a dog chew toy we owned.
I thus purchased a KONG reward toy from Pet Barn and used liquid nails to attach it to the shaft’s base.
The Kong chew toy includes a hole at the base that is just the right size to accommodate the goodies and fits snugly over the shaft. Additionally, the rubber is rather durable, so it should endure for a long time. And can be easily replaced when it becomes too warm.
As soon as the liquid nails dried, I was almost prepared to go. I tested it out with my board, and it performed well.
The rubber Kong has good traction, and as it becomes less glossy and more roughened, the traction increases somewhat. I had a great ab exercise after a long paddle.
I’m looking forward to bringing it to the job site since I work at FIFO and must spend two weeks away from the water.
I’m thinking of painting the shaft and applying stickers to it, but I love my land paddle stick as it is now.
Best Land Paddle Longboard
There are many distinct types of longboards that can be utilized by those who like land paddling. Here are some of the greatest alternatives, whether you’re looking for a portable cruiser board or something more adaptable.
For land paddling, the Loaded Boards brand sells a range of cruiser boards. They offer an 8-foot longboard with a flat bottom and concave design that is ideal for beginners.
Additionally, it has unique fins and wheels that make moving and transporting it simpler.
The Bear Grizzly land paddles Board is a terrific choice for people looking for something more adaptable. It has a 9-foot width and is constructed of sturdy wood and fiberglass to accommodate bigger people or parties. Additionally, its distinct form makes it perfect for paddling on both rivers and lakes.
The Paddle Pro 11-footer from North shore Sports is a good option if you’re searching for something smaller but still useful.
It is available in various colors to suit any style or personality and was created with beginners in mind. Additionally, despite continuous usage on difficult terrain, its tough construction will ensure that it lasts a long time.
The North shore HT Land Paddle Board is ideal for you if you’re searching for something that can withstand a little bit more power.
This board’s sturdy build and premium materials allow it to withstand even the most demanding paddling conditions. Additionally, its length gives you plenty of room to move about and explore.
The Bamboo SUP Longboard from SUP Boards USA is a terrific choice for anyone looking for the ideal blend of mobility and performance.
It has a portable bamboo design that is lightweight and convenient for carrying; making it ideal for longboarder’s who want to take their experience with them wherever they go. Additionally, the surf-inspired style will make you feel liberated as you cruise along a river or lake.
Conclusions
For both adults and children, Land Paddling is a fantastic outdoor sport! It’s a fantastic way to work out while still taking in the environment.
Additionally, it’s a low-stress exercise that doesn’t require much physical prowess. Exploring the outdoors while exercising on land is a terrific idea.
Depending on how much you enjoy it, you can start with a basic paddle board and a longboard and go from there. Land paddling is a fantastic outdoor sport, whether you’re searching for a new method to exercise or a way to get your kids active.
