Can You Paddle Board When It’s Windy?
The wind is the biggest danger when paddle boarding
No doubt about it. The wind can be your most dangerous enemy when paddle boarding.
When you are on a paddle board your body acts like a sail. And the wind will take you where you don’t want to go and keep you from getting back into shore.
Paddling into a strong wind is always hard and often impossible. A strong will stop your paddling progress and force you farther out to sea.
I have been in strong winds where it took every ounce of my strength to get back to shore. It’s a scary situation.
Once I even got into serious trouble and was lucky that a boater rescued me towing me back to shore. I hate to think what what would have happened if he hadn’t stopped to help me.
What is a safe wind speed for paddle boarding?
Personally I prefer not to go out if the wind is over 10 mph (unless I am downwinding or paddle surfing). Winds over 10 mph greatly increase the risk of serious trouble even for an advanced paddler.
Beginners should only go out on flat calm days with little or no wind. Another good rule is to never paddle out farther than you can swim.
1 knot = 1.15078 mph
Knots to mph converter
9 Strong Wind Paddle Boarding Tips
1. Get a wind forecast
Google the local weather forecast. Keep in mind the wind can be unpredictable and can change quickly. Besides the local weather channel I always use windfinder.com.
Windfinder.com
2. Use trees and flags to determine wind direction
Even as I drive to a launching spot I am checking out wind direction by looking at trees and flags. Before I launch I will make sure I know exactly what direction the wind is blowing. And I constantly monitor the wind when paddling.
3. Don’t paddle out with a stiff offshore wind
Offshore winds are winds that are blowing from shore out to sea or into the lake or river. Offshore winds are the most dangerous wind for paddle boarding.
You will be surprised how quickly even a mild offshore wind will take you out to sea. And you will be even more surprised how hard it is to paddle back into the wind.
Read: SUP boarding in offshore winds
4. Always paddle out into the wind
Please take this tip seriously. It’s one of the most important tips in this post.
Always paddle into the wind when starting out a sup session. Wind direction can change but this one habit will usually keep you out of trouble.
If you go out paddling into the wind you should have the wind to your back on your return.
You will be tired from paddling on your return so you definitely want the wind blowing into your back.
5. Wear a board leash
A paddle board leash is your most important piece of safety gear.
A board leash keeps you connected to your board board. If there is any wind and you fall off your paddle board the board will quickly move away from you.
I don’t care if you are Michael Phelps you will not catch your board if it is windy. Treading water out to sea is a nightmarish scenario.
6. Wear a life vest
Wearing a life vest or inflatable life belt could save your life. There is really no reason not to wear a pfd.
7. Understand your paddling ability level
Don’t overestimate your paddling ability. Do you know how strong a paddler you are? Have you had experience in windy conditions? Have you paddled into a strong wind? What’s your balance like when the water gets choppy?
8. Paddle with a friend
It is always a good idea to paddle with a few friends. Bring a tow rope and keep an eye on your buddies.
9. Learn to read water texture
The wind will affect the water texture. The wind will create ripples that sometimes look like dark patches in the water. Whitecaps, of course, mean the wind is very strong.
Practice looking for areas of dark patches and the size and spacing of ripples. Look for flat calm areas often downwind of small islands.
Pay attention to the water texture every time you paddle board to improve your wind reading skills.
How does board size affect performance in the wind?
14′ inflatable paddle boards will catch too much wind in a strong crosswind. 12′ or 12’6″ is a better choice for touring crosswind situations in an inflatable sup.
In general, paddle boards with a pointed nose, displacement hull and narrow width will move into high winds better. (but a narrower board will also be harder to balance.)
In my experience inflatables get blown around by the wind easier than hard paddle boards.
The Starboard Touring Deluxe 12’6″ is one of the better handling touring inflatables when the wind picks up.
If You Get in Wind Trouble
1. Get low to minimize wind resistance
Hinge deeper at the hips to lower your profile and decrease your wind resistance. It will help if you move your hands down the paddle.
Use an offset stance to help decrease wind resistance. Angle your body slightly by placing one foot farther up the board. This is more like a surf stance but not that extreme.
Keep your body weight forward. Your front foot should be just in front of the center handle. You want to keep the nose of the board down so it doesn’t catch wind.
Now, with your hands farther down the paddle, use smaller quicker strokes.
Feather your blade when you return your paddle into the water (the recover phase). Twist your paddle so the blade edge slices through the air on the return catching less wind.
2. Get on your knees
To really get low paddle on your knees like you are paddling a canoe. Choke up on your paddle and make short quick strokes.
I can’t tell you how many times I have paddled on my knees. It will minimize wind resistance and make it easier to keep your balance
3. If you still can’t make progress prone paddle
If you still can’t make progress into the wind lay down on your board and paddle it with your arms life a surfer. Put the paddle blade under your chest with the handle on the nose to keep it out of the way. You may want to practice prone paddling when conditions are good.
Read: Why serious sup boarders prone paddleboard.
4. Look for wind shelter
Always keep an eye out for areas that offers shelter from the wind. So in case of an emergency you can get out of the wind. Small islands are often provide good downwind shelter.
Conclusion
While the wind can be dangerous when paddle boarding the sport is still safe if you use common sense. Following these rules will help you avoid any problems with the wind. Always monitor the wind when paddle boarding and if the wind picks up get off the water quickly. Always wear a board leash. Always paddle out into the wind. Avoid offshore winds. And if it’s windy don’t go out.
Read: Avoid These Risk When Paddle Boarding
Read: Beginner Paddle Boarding Mistakes
What is downwinding?
Downwinding is a type of paddle boarding where you are deliberately being blown straight downwind to a specific exit point. This is a one way ride with the wind blowing hard against your back. You need a vehicle ready at the exit point to get you back to your entry location.
Read: What is downwind sup?
