Stand Up Paddle experience? See here everything you need to know before your activity!
With good weather, the search for the practice of the most varied outdoor activities begins and nothing better than the Peneda Gerês National Park to enjoy the fresh air surrounded by idyllic landscapes and endless mountains.
Stand Up Paddle is a great option if you are looking for a calm and refreshing experience, especially on hot spring and summer days. Stand up Paddle (SUP) is a leisure activity that emerged from surfing and consists of sliding on a board, propelled by a paddle, in river (stand up paddle boarding) or sea (stand up paddle surfing). It has become very popular in recent years as it is a stand-alone and very relaxing experience in the nature.
Despite being an easy activity to learn and that does not necessarily require the help of a professional when practicing it, we leave you with some tips to help you in your first Stand Up Paddle sessions
For beginners
Pure stand up paddle is a sport that requires some balance and if you don't have any experience, standing up on a board can seem like a daunting idea. For this reason, to begin with, we recommend that you start sitting or kneeling on the board and, as you feel more confident, progress to an upright posture. You can slightly bend your knees for better balance on the board.
Another important aspect is the choice of paddle (oar) or more precisely its height. We recommend paddles with adjustable cables and to find the right size for you, stand up and stretch your arm above your head and the end of the cable should be at the height of your wrist.
If you haven't had much practice yet, it's best to plan your first experiences more carefully and choose a quieter place to start. We suggest, therefore, that you prefer the river to the sea and ideally a small, calm watercourse, without current, and with few obstacles. One of our favorite places in the Peneda Gerês National Park to do stand up paddle is a Lima River, as it is framed in a relaxing environment with a reservoir next to the campsite.
Choose you board
A good board is also important for the quality of your experience. You should opt for a stable but robust board to support any beginner falls that may happen. Inflatable boards are a good option for beginners as they are durable and quite stable when fully inflated. In addition, they are great for transporting and storing.
You can rent at Tobogã – Portugal Adventure Tours several normal-sized boards for an individual experience, boards for a joint activity for up to 4 people or a board for families and groups of up to 8 people, ideal for the little ones to accompany the whole family.
What to bring
The board and paddle are the main elements of your Stand Up Paddle activity. However, to safeguard your safety, you must take into account other important elements that you must gather in the practice of Stand Up Paddle.
• Appropriate clothing for water activities, namely shorts and bathing suits and if it's windy or cold you can consider a neoprene shirt or even the complete suit.
• Life jacket, mainly for children
• Sunscreen, as water reflects sunlight and you are more prone to sunburn
• A water bottle to stay hydrated
With Tobogã - Portugal Adventure Tours, you have the possibility to rent inflatable boards of the premium brand Red Paddle Co and explore the Lima River, in the heart of the Peneda Gerês National Park, independently, whether alone, as a couple, with your family or with your partner. your group of friends. You can also take a Stand Up Paddle tour with a guide, by booking in advance. Learn more here.
If you are interested in practicing Stand Up Paddle, do not hesitate to contact us! Other services like canyoning on the Carcerelha River or E-bike rides are also available
This article was developed under the QualMinho@PME Project, funded by Compete 2020, Portugal 2020 and EU FEDER
