In 2017, stand up paddle (SUP) boards were covered by the order on life jackets in smaller vessels. This means that it is a legal requirement to carry a life jacket or life vest on your SUP board. You can be fined for violation. Always wear your life jacket on your body, as it is of no use if it just sits on your board.

 

The SUP and surf activities will strengthen the target group's fitness, muscles and balance. In particular, the upper body is strengthened in the form of arms, shoulders, back, core and chest. But the physical training takes place under natural, unconscious and holistic circumstances. This means that you don't have to think about the training, but simply engage in the activity and let the body perform the movements by itself. SUP and surf are also good cardio training because the body is in constant motion.

SUP and surf increase the body's ability to balance, which is really important in terms of avoiding injuries. Balance training helps to strengthen one's joints and tendons, so that the body is not at risk of an overload in the same way.

All in all, the physical training will increase the participants' belief in their own abilities and promote their self-confidence, because they experience a body awareness and a physical surplus that can help in many everyday tasks.

 

Before you get started with SUP, you should familiarize yourself thoroughly with wind and weather. There are great forces at play that you should respect. Start by choosing equipment tailored to your use and skills. Bring relevant equipment depending on your planned trip and make sure to keep it in reasonable condition.

 

Hop onto your board from the side and place one knee on either side of the center handle and grab your paddle. Start by paddling a little on your knees - remember to switch sides. Once you've got your balance, you can place the paddle in front of you on the board and lift one foot followed by the other.

Here you can start by practicing 3-4 takes on each side. Remember to switch hands when switching sides.

 

There are 3 focal points to paddle straight out:

• Bend forward as far towards the tip of the board. This is done by bending at the stomach and stretching the paddle towards the tip of the board.

 

• Insert the blade completely under the water. It is important that the blade is completely covered with water, as it provides the most power to pull the board forward.

 

• Vertical paddle. By keeping the paddle vertical, the board is prevented from turning.

 

If your partner has fallen into the water and cannot get on his board himself, you can help by first taking the paddle and placing it on your board so that you have control over it.

After this, it is important that you make sure your partner's board is upside down, i.e. with fins upwards. If it doesn't, you have to reverse it.

Then you climb onto your partner's board, grab the straps of your partner's life jacket, and at the same time as you put your weight on the edge of the board at your feet, you lean back and the board will turn and your partner will lie on the belly of the board. If your partner cannot paddle away from, you must turn your partner's legs so that they lie correctly on the board. You can then lie on top of your partner and paddle/swim him away with your arms.

 

Should you be unlucky enough to end up in a situation where you drift away from the shore and have difficulty paddling ashore due to the wind, you can get down on your knees and try to paddle ashore. If you still can't get to your knees, lie flat on the board, with the paddle under you, and use your arms to paddle toward shore. If it is absolutely impossible for you to enter the shore, you must inform the people on the shore that you are in distress. Use possibly the paddle to signal with or the phone that you have of course brought a waterproof case.

 

SUP advice

1. ALWAYS use a leash.

2. Remember to wear a life jacket (it is a legal requirement).

3. Bring your phone in a waterproof case.

4. As a rule, do not walk alone on the water.

5. Tell others where you are paddling out and when you expect to be back.

6. Get an introductory course in a DSRF association or at a surf school.

7. "If in doubt, don't paddle out" - use your common sense and know your limitations.

8. Use correct clothing according to the season and wind and weather conditions.

9. Always check wind and weather conditions before going out. Do not go out into offshore winds if you are a beginner or slightly experienced.

10. Use the paddle to signal if you are in distress.

 

 

What SUP clothing and equipment should you bring?

• In June-August, you can paddle in shorts, sports shirt, anorak/jacket (may simply be included) and swimming shoes/sandals

• The rest of the year (September - May) you must paddle in your own wetsuit and anorak (possibly dry suit) and wetsuit shoes (or similar).

• In a warm September or May, however, an alternative to a wet suit can be a wool/polyester layer with outer clothing on the outside (e.g. rain set).

• In the winter months - November-February - the wetsuit must be supplemented with a hat and wetsuit gloves/mittens (or similar).

• The SUP equipment itself, board, paddle.

 

Safety rules for SUP

• When paddling, all paddlers must wear a life jacket.

• The leash must be attached to the leg (with Velcro closure).

• Paddlers must stick to the sides of the Harbor and give way to everything else.

• All rowers who want to paddle in November-February must take a cold water test at the last training session in October or later.

  • Execution of the test: In the middle of the water, in the water and do partner rescues on each other, e.g. flip rescue and hand paddle to the bank.

• When rowing in the dark Bring a white light that can shine 360 degrees around.

• Paddling through ice is not permitted.

• On SUP teams and trips, the participants must follow the teacher's safety instructions and have a duty to inform the teacher about personal circumstances that may affect safety in relation to paddling.

 

Surf advice

 

A surfboard is categorized as bathing equipment used at the 'beach'.

It is therefore not a legal requirement to use a life jacket when surfing in breaking waves near the coast.

• All surfers must be able to swim 50 m in the open sea

• Keep your surf equipment in good condition

• ALWAYS use a leash to prevent you from losing your surfboard (or bodyboard).

• For you, your board is a safety device, for others it can be a deadly weapon.

• Never surf alone

• Always return to the beach before nightfall.

• Never mix surfing with alcohol or drugs

• Always wear a wetsuit when surfing in cold water

• Be considerate of other beach users especially when carrying your board to and from the water

• Whenever possible, use a lifeguard patrolled beach. Obey the instructions of the lifeguards and be prepared to help them if necessary

• When paddling out, avoid surfers riding waves.

• When you catch a wave, make sure you are clear of other surfers.

• Remember, if someone else is already riding the wave, don't go.

• Be environmentally friendly. Always leave the beach and other areas as you wish to find them.

• Bring a phone that you can keep on the beach in case others get in trouble and you need to call for help. Find out which lifeguard number you surf near (the number can be found on a small green sign, typically at access roads to the beach).

• Find out if there is a defibrillator nearby.

• Tell others where you're surfing and when you expect to be back

• Remember to dress sensibly

• Remember the Surfers Code of Conduct

• Respect the beach, the sea and others

• The surfer closest to the crest of the wave has the right of way

• First to his or her feet have first priority

• Stay out of the way of wave riders

• If in doubt, don't paddle out

• Be aware of the current, piers and other surfers

• Hold on to your board

• Clean up after yourself and others less considerate

• Always help another surfer in trouble

• Share the water, your knowledge and your stroke

• Give respect to get respect