Why Am I So Wobbly on a Paddleboard?

You're wobbly because your brain hasn't learned how to balance on water yet. That's it. Your board isn't broken, you're not doing it wrong, and you don't have terrible balance. Your brain is overcompensating for tiny movements and creating bigger wobbles than necessary.

Three things cause most wobbles. Your board might be too narrow for your weight. Your stance could be wrong. Or you're paddling in conditions that are too challenging for a beginner.

The wobbles go away. Most people feel stable within 3-5 sessions once their brain figures out the right amount of correction.

Your Brain Is the Problem (Not Your Balance)

Why Wobbles Are Self-Induced

Your brain detects the board tipping slightly left. It tells your body to lean right. But it overcorrects. Now you're leaning too far right, so your board tips that way. Your brain panics and tells you to lean left. Too much again.

This cycle happens so fast it feels like the board is bucking underneath you. The board is actually stable. You're creating the wobbles by making corrections that are too big.

SUP coach Bill Dawes teaches thousands of beginners yearly. He says balance happens in your head, not your muscles. Your brain just needs practice calculating the exact amount of lean required.

Most People Stabilize Within 3-5 Sessions

Balance improves faster than fitness or strength. You're not building muscle. You're training your brain to make smaller, more accurate adjustments.

Expect serious wobbles your first session. Mild wobbles your second and third. By session four or five, you'll notice the board feels completely different. What felt like a bucking bronco will feel like standing on a slightly moving floor.

This happens to everyone. Even people with excellent balance from other sports struggle at first because paddle boarding uses different muscle coordination than skating, surfing, or skiing.

 

Your Board Might Be Too Narrow

Why 32-34 Inches Is the Magic Number

Board width directly controls stability. A board under 32 inches wide will feel shaky no matter how good your technique gets.

Beginners need boards between 32-34 inches wide. This width spreads your weight over enough surface area to give you a stable platform. Racing boards can be 28-30 inches wide, but racers have spent years developing balance.

If you're taller than 6 feet or weigh over 90kg, you might need a board closer to 34 inches or wider. Physics matters more than your athletic ability here.

Check your board's specifications. If it's 30-31 inches wide, that explains the wobbles. You need a wider board, not better balance. The Loco Motion Air inflatable paddle board offers beginner-friendly width designed specifically for stability during your learning phase.

Check Your Inflation (Inflatable Boards Only)

Under-inflated boards feel unstable because they flex under your weight. They should be rock-hard.

Inflate to the recommended PSI shown on your board. Most inflatables need 12-15 PSI. Use a pump with a gauge. If you can press your thumb into the board and create a dent, it needs more air.

A properly inflated 6-inch thick board feels as rigid as a hard board. Under-inflated boards create a "taco effect" where the middle sags and your feet get wet.

Volume and Weight Capacity

Every board has a maximum weight capacity. Exceed it and the board rides low in the water, creating drag and instability.

If you weigh 80kg, choose a board with capacity for at least 90-95kg. This gives headroom for gear and ensures the board floats high enough.

Check volume ratings too. Beginners under 90kg need minimum 170-190 litres. Heavier paddlers need 200+ litres. Volume determines how much weight the board can support before performance suffers.

You're Standing Wrong

Stop Looking Down

Looking at your feet is the fastest way to wobble. Your head weighs 5kg. When you tilt it down, your whole body follows.

Look at the horizon or a fixed point ahead. This keeps your head level and your torso upright. Your brain balances better when your eyes are forward.

This feels unnatural at first. You want to watch your feet to make sure you're positioned correctly. Fight that urge. Glance down quickly if you must, then immediately return your gaze forward.

Unlock Your Knees

Locked knees make you rigid and unstable. Any movement in the water transfers straight through your legs with no absorption.

Keep a slight bend in your knees. Not a deep squat. Just unlock them so they can move independently. This lets your legs act as shock absorbers for the board's movement.

Locked knees also restrict blood flow. Stand with locked knees for too long and you might faint. Soft knees keep you balanced and safe.

Fix Your Foot Position

Avoid "duck stance" where your toes point outward. This narrows your base and reduces stability.

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, parallel to each other. Imagine standing on railway tracks. Your heels and toes should align along the board's center line.

Both feet belong on either side of the carry handle. This puts you at the board's center point where it's most stable. Standing too far forward or back makes the board tip.

Stand in the Right Spot

The carry handle marks the center of the board. Stand with one foot on each side of it.

If you're too far forward, the nose dips and you wobble. Too far back and the tail sinks. The center distributes your weight evenly.

You'll know you're in the right spot when the board feels level and the nose stays about an inch above water.

Water Conditions Are Working Against You

Why Choppy Water Feels Impossible

Small waves and ripples make the board move in multiple directions at once. Your leg muscles have to contract constantly to keep you upright. This creates that shaky-leg feeling.

Wind pushes against your body and paddle, forcing you to adjust your weight distribution more frequently. Strong wind makes even experienced paddlers work harder.

Choppy conditions aren't wrong for learning, but they multiply the difficulty by 10. What would take you three sessions on calm water might take ten sessions in choppy conditions.

Start on Flat Water

Calm lakes, sheltered bays, or early mornings with no wind give you the easiest learning conditions.

Flat water lets your board stay relatively stable while your brain learns the micro-adjustments needed for balance. You can focus on stance and technique without fighting environmental factors.

Once you're stable on flat water, you can progress to mild chop, then waves. But starting in rough conditions sets you up for frustration.

How to Stop Wobbling Right Now

The Perfect Stance Checklist

Use this every time you stand up:

Feet shoulder-width apart, straddling the center handle. Feet parallel, not duck-footed. Knees slightly bent, not locked. Weight evenly distributed between both feet. Head up, eyes on horizon. Shoulders relaxed, not tense. Core gently engaged.

This stance gives you the most stable platform possible. Having the right accessories also helps - a quality SUP paddle lets you maintain better balance through proper stroke technique, and a SUP leash keeps your board close if you do fall off.

Use Your Paddle for Stability

Your paddle is a third point of contact. Keep it in the water as much as possible.

When you feel a wobble starting, push your paddle blade into the water on the side you're tipping toward. This creates resistance and stops the tip. The further from your body you can get the paddle, the more leverage you have.

"Mobility is stability" applies here. Paddling actually stabilizes you more than standing still. A moving board with your paddle in the water is easier to balance on than a stationary board.

What to Do When You Start Tipping

Bend your knees deeper and lower your center of gravity. This buys you time to regain balance.

Place your paddle in the water as an outrigger. Push against it.

If you're still tipping, drop to your knees quickly. This prevents falling in. You can always stand back up once you're stable.

Never shift your feet around while standing. This makes the board rock worse. If you need to reposition, go to your knees first, then move your feet, then stand again.

Core Strength Makes a Difference

Balance happens in your brain, but core strength helps your brain's instructions reach your body faster.

A strong core keeps your midsection stable while your legs make adjustments. This creates a solid platform for balance.

Simple exercises help. Planks, side planks, and standing on one leg while brushing your teeth all improve core stability. You don't need a gym. Two minutes of planks three times a week makes a noticeable difference.

That said, don't wait until you're stronger to paddle. You'll build paddle-specific balance faster by actually getting on the water than by doing shore exercises.

Conclusion

Wobbling on your paddle board is normal and temporary. Your brain is overcompensating while it learns how much adjustment is needed for water-based balance.

Fix the big three. Get a board that's 32-34 inches wide for your weight. Stand with soft knees, parallel feet, and eyes forward. Practice on calm water first.

Most people feel stable after 3-5 sessions. The wobbles that feel permanent during your first hour will disappear faster than you expect. Whether you're using inflatable stand-up paddle boards for easy transport or exploring hard stand-up paddle boards for performance, the same balance principles apply. For beginners just starting out, a best inflatable paddle board for beginners with proper width gives you the best chance at early success. If you're introducing children to the sport, kids stand-up paddle boards are sized appropriately to help them develop balance without the frustration of using adult equipment.

Your balance is fine. Your brain just needs practice.