SuP Introductory Beginner Course

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'All the Gear, but No Idea'? No Worries!
Join Us for a 2-Hour Paddleboarding Fundamentals Course at West Harbour Marina!

Located at the stunning West Harbour Marina (36°48’41.7″S 174°38’40.1″E), our 2-hour course is the perfect introduction for anyone looking to get confident and competent on the water. Whether you’re new to paddleboarding, just got some gear or just need a little help perfecting your skills, we’ve got you covered. We’ll guide you through everything you need to know to paddleboard like a pro.

What to Expect:

  •   Master the Basics of Body Positioning and Balance: Learn the crucial foundation of any successful paddle boarding experience—how to position your body for ultimate balance. We’ll teach you how to distribute your weight evenly and use your core and legs, rather than just relying on your arms, to stabilize yourself on the board. With some fun drills and games, you’ll engage your muscles and feel the stability you need to stay upright, even when waves and swells try to throw you off course.
  •   Essential Paddle Strokes and Techniques: Get hands-on experience with essential paddle strokes that will help you move forward smoothly, turn efficiently, and navigate around other paddleboarders and obstacles. We’ll show you how to make sharp turns (pivot turns and the one everyone loves; the “helicopter”), adjust your direction, and even help you gain confidence in handling the board through choppier water if you’re feeling adventurous!
  •   Seamless Transitions Between Kneeling and Standing: One of the most common hurdles for beginners is transitioning from kneeling to standing. We’ll guide you step-by-step, teaching you how to shift your weight and balance as you move from one position to the next. By the end of the course, you’ll feel at ease both kneeling and standing, no matter the conditions.
  •   Water Safety & Etiquette: Safety is always a priority. During the course, we’ll give you a quick rundown on important maritime laws and paddleboarding etiquette, such as right of way, respecting other users, and understanding the conditions of the water—whether it’s current, tides, or wind. We’ll also teach you how to fall safely and get back on your board without panic, so you can enjoy every aspect of your time on the water with peace of mind.
  • Rescues and scenarios: know what to do when things go wrong. We will teach you how to tow or be towed incase someone gets tired, injured or loses their paddle. We will teach you how to get an immobile person from the water back onto their board.

What to bring? Bring your willingness to learn and warm water gear like a wetsuit if you have one otherwise we do have some available for hire at additional costs ($30). SNM will take care of the rest. We have an awesome fleet of touring paddle boards (hard boards) that provide stability and comfort when learning to Paddle board.

Why Join Us? In just two hours, you’ll build the confidence to tackle the water like a seasoned paddler. With personalized instruction, helpful tips, and a fun, supportive atmosphere, we’ll ensure you feel confident and capable, no matter your skill level. You’ll leave the course feeling energized, with a solid foundation in paddleboarding that you can build on during your future adventures.

So, if you’re ready to take the plunge and start paddling with confidence, join us at West Harbour Marina. We can’t wait to help you get out on the water and show you the ropes of this exciting and rewarding sport

– $160pp

– West Harbour Marina (meet here: 36°48’41.7″S 174°38’40.1″E)

– 09:45-11:45 and 12:15-14:15 or by negotiation

– water safety, ocean awareness

– Gear & Equipment, Weather (wind), tides, currents, swell, waves, capsizing, rescues, towing, balance, technique, stokes, other users, etc.

SuP Instructors

NZ SuP

Learning the fundamentals of paddle boarding,

 Balance- ensuring that body is in correct positioning and using full body and not just straining on your arms, Games and drills like people climbing across boards could be a fun way to allow people to engage muscles and regain stability after being knocked around on the water, also allows them to feel the movement of the board when waves and swell might knock them around.  Paddling techniques – different ways to move, turn and manouver around other users and objects Understanding the movements and boards- feeling your body weight shift between the board and how the board responds to your movements,

Safety on water – brief overview of maritime laws who has right of way etc. How to fall safely, understanding conditions of the water and the surrounding environment, whether currents, tidal flow or wind directions

Itinerary

15  minute – introduction and safety briefing

–                           Importance of gear: PFD, paddle, board and leash (types of leashes)

–                           Water safety and etiquette ie what the water looks like when. Not to continue on.

–                           Correct way to fall off and what to do if falling off and getting back on board

–                           Understanding all equipment, paddle leash and board and comfort adjusting.

– Weather, wind (no recommended more than 20km/h unless downwind paddling), tides, currents

15 minute warm up and usage

–                           Demonstrate correct stance ie feet shoulder width, paddle position correct holding and height.

–                           On land demonstration from kneeling to standing, paddle down use for support.

10-15  minutes getting onto water

–                           Guding and assisting participants onto water allowing them to feel out the board moving on the water

–                           Encourage to engage core and practice balancing whilst gently paddling around

15–20-minute kneeling to standing

–                           When reading encourage to progress to standing  really enaging the core now and allowing to trust the board and work with it. Could encourgage with sayings like eyes on the horizon, low and slow.

–                           If already confident could challenge them to paddle while they are already moving and give them progressions.

–                           If feeling wobbly can continue paddling and using paddle for support or move back to knees.

10-15 minutes Paddling techniques

–                           Teach the correct paddling strokes, forward movements and turning movements, can have different levels of progression those who are already confident challenge to j stroke or draw stroke.

–                           Allow time for participants to practice there paddling techniques, those practicing turning could have challenge like how many strokes until you can do a 360

10 minute – how to practice Saftey

–                           Guide participants in falling off and hoew they can keep themselves safe getting back on the board and flipping over if they are by themselves.

20 minutes challenges

–                           End the session by challenging them to different tasks that both practice new skills and test balance:

Ie; rafting up and running across boards, single leg paddling,  Speed challenge of falling off and getting on.