Enjoy Stand Up Paddle Board Rentals at the most popular lake in the United States.  All of our locations require you to rent watercraft in order to rent the SUP paddle boards.  This is one of the fast growing water sports which is a fun for all ages, easy, and a great way to exercise and play on the water all at the same time!  With a minimum amount of equipment, you can paddle up all types of canyons at Lake Powell.  Paddleboards offer an amazing full body workout and is becoming a favorite cross-training activity for skiers, snowboarders and other athletes.  It’s a unique experience standing on the water to see all the beautiful red rock canyon walls, fish, and watercraft on the lake.

Stand up paddleboarding is a significant water sport gear investment for anyone with boards and a paddle costing in the thousands.  Sizes of boards are based on the paddler’s weight and experience.  The U.S. Coast Guard classifies stand up paddleboards as vessels, so always wear a PFD whenever you’re paddling navigable water.  Rental stand up paddleboards are offered at all marinas; Wahweap, Halls Crossing, Antelope Point, and Bullfrog.

Here are a few pointers on how to stand up paddle board before you rent one:

When you’re just starting out, it’s easier to kneel on the board rather than to stand directly upright.  Standing alongside the board, place your paddle across the deck of the board and use it as an stabilizer.  The paddle grip is on the rail (edge) of the board; the blade rests on the water.  Hold the board by the rails.  One hand will also be holding the paddle grip.  Pop yourself onto the board into a kneeling position, just behind the center point of the board.  From that kneeling position, get a feel for the balance point of the board.  The nose shouldn’t pop up out of the water and the tail shouldn’t dig in and keep your hands on either side of the board to stabilize it.  Once you’re ready, stand up on the board one foot at a time and place your feet where your knees were.

Beginner mistakes in paddle board rentals.  These mistakes are easy to make when you’re starting out so try to avoid them and you’ll have a lot more fun on the water:  A hunched posture is not good so keep your back straight, shoulders level.  Staring at your feet instead of the horizon and elbow (bent angle) of the paddle facing in the wrong direction; It should point away from you.  Having both hands on the paddle shaft with your top hand belonging at the very top of the paddle, on the grip.  Finally do not stand straight-kneed; it is much easier to balance with bent knees.

To help you keep your balance as you stand upright on the paddleboard; your feet should be parallel, about hip-width distance apart, centered between the rails (board edges).  Don’t stand on the rails and keep toes pointed forward, knees slightly bent and your back straight.  Balance the board with your hips—not your head.  Keep your head and shoulders steady and upright, and shift your weight by moving your hips.  Your should be looking in front of you and avoid staring at the water or board.

When you’re beginning, keep your strokes fairly short and close alongside the board.  A small draw stroke at the beginning of the paddle stroke will keep you going forward.  To go in a reasonably straight line, paddle about 4 or 5 strokes on one side, then switch to the other.  When you switch sides, you’ll reverse hand positions. There are several straightforward ways to turn a paddle board.  One way is the sidestroke an easy method to simply paddle on one side until the nose turns in the direction you want to go.  If you want to turn right you need to paddle on the left and if your headed to the left then you need to Paddle on the right.  Another way to turn is to backpaddle which is fast!  Simply drag the paddle or paddle backwards on either side of the board.  The last way is to use the sea (“c”) stroke where you plant your paddle towards the front of the board and take a long sweeping stroke towards the tail sometimes this is called a “sweep stroke”.