Leadership Innovation in 4-H's Stand Up Paddle Boarding Community
In the exciting world of outdoor recreation, Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) has become a popular activity for youth camps. This engaging sport, which originated in native cultures for fishing and traveling, was introduced to the contiguous United States from Hawaii in 2004 [6].
When teaching SUP to youth, safety is paramount. Instructors should ensure that participants are properly dressed, bring a trained assistant or staff person for larger groups, and bring the SUP equipment near the shore prior to camper arrival [1]. Key safety considerations include wearing properly fitting U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jackets, using a leash correctly attached to the board to prevent separation if falling, and ensuring students understand how to enter the water safely and perform water rescue techniques [2].
Instructors should also assess environmental risks like wind, weather, currents, and local hazards, selecting appropriate paddling routes and equipment matched to skill levels. Hydration, sun protection, and cold water awareness are also important for overall safety [3][5].
Basic instruction methods involve teaching the correct SUP posture and balance techniques to reduce falls and arm fatigue. Instructors should demonstrate how to stand properly on the board, including body position and center of gravity. They should guide students on how to fall safely into the water and how to get back on the board [1].
Instructors should also provide hands-on practice with different board types to help youth find suitable equipment. They should educate about environmental awareness, local regulations, and respectful interaction with wildlife when relevant [1].
Additional recommendations include monitoring weather and water conditions continuously, restricting sessions to skill-appropriate environments (calm, shallow waters for beginners), and enforcing rules like mandatory life jacket use for children 14 and under due to legal requirements in many locations [3]. Teaching hydration, sun protection (sunscreen, hats, rash guards), and proper clothing are also critical to prevent heat and sun-related issues [5].
Before heading out on the water, it's important to have proper attire (swimsuit, personal flotation device, and appropriate clothing), have lifeguard presence, and follow best practices regarding thunderstorms [4].
Returning to shore is the most dangerous component of a SUP class and requires careful management. A simple signal such as a fist on top of the head can denote "I am okay" in case of an emergency [7].
Instructors should plan for a minimum of 40 to 60 minutes per session, and industry standards suggest a 1:5 instructor to camper ratio [8].
On shore instructions should cover the grip/hold, forward stroke motion, turning and stopping, paddling safety and emergencies, and minding the paddle. A brief flexibility stretching routine of shoulder shrugs, arm circles, waist turns, and knee touches is recommended before SUP [9].
Campers should partner up to transport boards to the waterfront. Creative challenges such as yoga poses, exercise challenges, board balancing, and team planking can make learning fun and engaging [10]. However, activities like paddle boarding piracy, where campers play "man overboard," relax on neighboring boards, or steal others' boards, pose risks and should be avoided [11].
For further learning, the American Canoe Association recommends two resources for SUP training: Blakeney's DVD "Stand up paddling: An essential guide" and Casey's book "Stand up paddling: Flatwater to surf and rivers" [12]. A video of paddle strokes can be found on YouTube under the title "SUP Lesson #2-Paddle Strokes" by Mountaineers Books [13].
For those interested in yoga poses for kids, Washburn, Copeland, and Vincent's 2014 book "Yoga for kids: A 4-H Healthy Living Program" is a useful resource [14].
As participants arrive, instructors should properly fit each camper with a personal flotation device and SUP paddle. Mini-races and directional challenges are used to test skills covered in the On Shore section, including falling into the water for safety signaling practice [15]. Campers should start on their knees in the middle of the board for the first 25 feet and put the board's fins down to aid in navigation [1].
In conclusion, these approaches create a structured, safe environment for youth to learn SUP while fostering confidence, balance, and water safety skills essential for independent paddling in the future. SUP offers recreation that is safe, fun, challenging, and easy to master, making it appealing to youth.
Instructors should educate campers about environmental awareness, including respectful interaction with wildlife, when teaching Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) [1]. For further learning in SUP, resources like Blakeney's DVD "Stand up paddling: An essential guide" and Casey's book "Stand up paddling: Flatwater to surf and rivers" are recommended by the American Canoe Association [12]. Additionally, a 4-H Healthy Living Program book, "Yoga for kids" by Washburn, Copeland, and Vincent, can provide useful insights on yoga poses for kids [14].
