Hi Tom,
Welcome to the Zone
Paddling a paddle board for the first time can be a challenge.
You didn't mention the conditions or where you were paddling.... which make a big difference.
The best way to give yourself the best experience possible is to pick a protected spot, out of the wind, on a calm day.
No boat traffic or wave action.
Make sure to pump up your ISUP to the high end of recommended PSI.... a soft ISUP will fold like a tace and be extremely difficult to stand on.
My answer turned into a long first lesson, hopefully not to cumbersome, so you can get something from it
WEAR A LEASH!
EVERY time you get on your board, you NEED to be wearing a GOOD leash, properly attached to the board and you!!!!!
Falling is part of paddling.... without a leash the board will quickly move away from you ... swimming with a paddle in your hand, it is quite difficult to retrieve your board!
People die because they don't wear a leash.... such a simple thing. And so important!
Place your board in waist deep water,
parallel to the shore line
(do NOT hop on with the nose aiming out and tail near the beach, because when you hop on, your weight will sink the tail and drag your fins on the bottom, possibly damaging the board)
Put the paddle across the deck in front of the handle (the handle is the "balance point" of any board)
Grip the paddle with hands about shoulder width apart, as you place both hands on the deck
When you climb on the board, place a knee on each side of the handle, and paddle away from shore in that position.
Paddle on your knees for a while, this will sync your body to the feel and rhythm of the board on the water.
First task while still on your knees:
Learn to turn the board so you can navigate around boats, rocks or other obstacles, so:
The fin's job is to make the board go straight, so turning is easier by using the paddle as a brake, rather than paddling hard forward, on one side
Get some speed paddling on one side.
You will notice how the board resists turning quickly if the paddle is kept close to the board as you stroke.
then:
Take the paddle on that same side, with body braced on knees and toes.... stick the paddle straight down into the water and brace to keep it straight down. It acts as a brake.
You will notice how the board will turn slowly to the "paddle side"
Then.... paddle backwards on that same side..... you will notice how quickly the board will turn away from the "paddle side".
That is the fin working.... it is easier to make a quick turn with a backward stroke when you are learning, because going forward, the fin will resist the turn.
Very important in a crowded harbor.
Ok... paddle to an open spot, in
at least chest deep water.... with no wave action.
Place the paddle on the deck in front of you, with the paddle across the board.
Using your hands, push up, towards the standing position... keeping the paddle firmly across the deck as a brace.
Bring your feet to each side of the handle, about a shoulder width apart.
When you are settled, stand up smoothly and IMMEDIATELY place the paddle blade in the water, off to the side.
It becomes your 3rd leg, and helps greatly with balance.
As soon as you are fully standing, take a gentle stroke.
A moving board is far more stable than a stationary one.... just like a bicycle.
Look forward, not down at your feet
SMILE!
It's amazing how much your body relaxes when you smile. Truth!!!
Do NOT fear falling in... it's part of the learning process.
Dress for it... and expect to fall.
I fell 100 times my first day because I was foolish enough to learn in the surf zone.... and I was on a huge 36" wide board!
Learning in shallow water is dangerous because you can easily get injured when you fall..... make sure the water is deep enough for a very awkward fall!
When you start to fall... let it go!
Fall AWAY from the board.... injuries happen when you try to land on the board, or grab it as you fall.
LET IT GO! Your leash will let you pull it back, after the fall.
As you fall.... hold the paddle in the hand AWAY from the board.
Paddles break easily when smacked into the board.
Speaking of paddles... get a good carbon paddle soon. The paddle is actually more important to your happiness, than the board.
Your feet got tired because you are tense and your feet a "gripping" the deck with all their might.
I have people paddle for about 15 minutes.... then I have them sit down on their board sideways and hang their legs down into the water.
We talk for a few minutes, answering any questions they have.
When they get back up in the standing position, they find that the tension has left their feet and the pain eases up.
This will quickly stop being a problem as your body and mind adapt to balancing on the board.
It takes a few weeks to get the "small twitch" muscles in your feet and lower legs to reawaken from their adult slumber.
Kids don't suffer this because they are always in constant motion..... but most adults have to emerge from our more sedentary lives.
VERY soon, you will adjust to paddling and get on with exploring your water world!
Enjoy the process and prepare to be amazed
I made up some pictures from a lesson I gave.... this is very normal for how I introduced people to paddling.
My goal is always to pass on the love of paddling.... by showing the possibilities on the very first day.
I never teach people in a harbor, padding in circles.... I show them the potential for exploration and wonder.
The act of going somewhere, takes their mind off paddling... they start looking around and relax.
Note:
I plan these trips after careful study of local tide and wind.
I always carry communication with me (Iphone in a waterproof pouch)
A new paddler on their own, should stay closer to the launch site.
Wind and tide can create dangers to inexperienced paddlers... so check the local forecast before you go in the water!
Please keep us up with your progress!
Check out my Youtube channel... there are many flat-water videos, if you look down my page, where I have created almost 200 SUP videos
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHRI23a8H21jASPdVCQUpog/videos