10 Beginner Surf SUP Tips Every New Paddler Needs

New to riding waves on a paddleboard? Check our full range of Surf SUPs built for real ocean performance.

Surf SUP gives you a fresh way to enjoy the lineup. The extra height helps you spot waves early, and the paddle adds speed when you need it most. These ten straightforward tips will help you start strong and keep improving.

1. Pick a Board That Matches Your Level

A proper surf SUP makes everything easier. Look for shorter lengths (8–10 ft) and lower volume compared to all-round boards. Less volume means the board sits lower in the water and turns quicker.

Good starter options:

• Loco Shred Air inflatable – light and easy to carry
• Loco Amigo hard SUP – wide and forgiving platform
• Loco Guppy hard SUP – perfect for lighter riders or kids

2. Set Your Feet in the Right Spot

Stand in the middle of the board. Feet parallel, about shoulder-width apart. Knees soft. Weight centred. Look straight ahead, not at your feet. This stance keeps you balanced whether you paddle or ride.

3. Keep the Paddle Short Enough

Your paddle should feel comfortable when the T-grip sits around wrist height as you stand on the board. A blade that is too long makes strokes tiring and throws off your balance.

4. Use Your Whole Body for Each Stroke

Plant the full blade in the water beside the rail. Pull with your hips and core, not just your arms. Reach forward, bury the blade, then drive the board past the paddle. Short, strong strokes beat long, weak ones every time.

5. Start on Small, Clean Days

Pick days with waist-high waves and light wind. Small waves give you time to react. You learn timing without getting pounded. Move up in size only when the basics feel natural.

6. Learn the Lineup Rules Early

Wait your turn. The rider closest to the peak has priority. Don’t paddle straight to the front of the pack on your first session. Hang on the shoulder, catch a few reformers, and smile. People remember courtesy.

7. Fall Flat and Away from the Board

When you lose balance, push the board away and fall flat on your back or side. Falling flat spreads the impact. Trying to land on your feet in shallow water often leads to twisted ankles.

8. Practise Turning Before You Need It

Quick turns save you from other riders and help you stay on the wave face. Plant the paddle on the inside rail, twist your hips, and shift weight to the tail. A few minutes of flat-water drills pay off in the surf.

Boards like the Loco Twinny or Loco El Diablo respond fast once you get the movement.

9. Watch the Water, Not Just the Horizon

Read the waves before you paddle out. Look for channels, sandbars, and where sets break. Spend five minutes on the beach. It saves twenty minutes of pointless paddling later.

10. Take a Lesson or Two

One hour with a good coach fixes months of bad habits. You get direct feedback on stance, stroke, and wave choice. Most coastal spots offer SUP-specific surf lessons that run 90–120 minutes and cost less than a new fin set.

Final Thought

Progress in surf SUP comes from time on the water and small, steady improvements. Start easy, stay patient, and the waves will start coming to you.

Ready for your next session? Browse the full surf SUP collection and pick the board that fits where you are right now.