To get back on a paddle board, swim to the side of the board at the middle, grab the carry handle with one hand and the far rail with the other, then kick your legs hard and pull yourself onto the deck on your stomach. Swing your legs on, get to your knees, and only stand up once you feel steady.
Everyone falls, including experienced paddlers. The trick is falling the right way and having a re-entry you’ve practiced in calm water before you need it.
Quick answer
- Fall away from the board, flat or feet first, never onto it.
- Pull the board back with your leash and swim to its middle.
- Put the paddle across the deck.
- One hand on the carry handle, the other on the far rail.
- Kick hard and pull, sliding onto the board belly-first.
- Turn to face the nose, kneel, then stand.
How to fall safely
If you feel yourself going, Boat-Ed’s paddlesports course says to either brace with your paddle or fall to the side so you land in the water, not on the board. Landing on a board hurts, and a board that shoots out from under you can hit someone else.
- Fall away from the board, to the side.
- Fall flat or feet first, not head first. You don’t know how deep the water is or what’s under it.
- Don’t grab at the board as you go. A fully inflated board is rigid, and you’re more likely to hurt a wrist than save the fall.
- Hang on to the paddle if you can. If it gets away, most SUP paddles float, so you can fetch it once you’re back on.
When a boat wake or a gust is coming, drop to your knees early. It’s much easier than getting back on.
Getting back on from the side (the main method)
This is the method Starboard, Thurso Surf and most instructors teach.
- Get the board back. If you’re wearing a leash, pull it in hand over hand rather than swimming after the board.
- Go to the middle. Swim to the side of the board next to the carry handle. The middle is the widest, most stable part.
- Stow the paddle. Lay it across the deck, or slide it under the bungee, so your hands are free.
- Get your grip. Reach across and hold the carry handle with one hand, or reach over to the far rail with both hands.
- Kick and pull. Let your legs float up toward the surface behind you, then kick hard while you pull. The kick does most of the work; your arms just guide you up.
- Slide on belly-first. Pull your chest and stomach onto the board, centered over the handle. Don’t try to climb straight onto your knees.
- Bring your legs on and turn. Swing your legs onto the board and turn so you’re lying with your head toward the nose.
From here you can prone paddle with your hands to grab your paddle if it drifted, the way you would on a surfboard. Starboard suggests exactly that.
Getting back on from the tail
If you’re tired, have trouble with the side method, or are on a wide, stable board, try the tail.
- Swim to the back of the board.
- Put both hands on the tail and push it down under you.
- Kick and pull yourself forward onto the deck, holding the rails.
- Crawl forward to the middle before you kneel.
It works, but the board is narrow and tippy at the tail, so it’s usually slower than the side method. Watch out for the fin.
From your knees to standing
Once you’re back on, don’t rush:
- Kneel just behind the carry handle with your paddle across the deck or in your hands.
- Take a few strokes on your knees to get the board moving. A moving board is steadier.
- Put your hands on the deck, bring one foot up, then the other, so your feet are where your knees were, about hip-width apart.
- Stand up slowly, knees soft, eyes on the horizon.
If you keep falling as you stand, our guide to how to improve balance for paddle boarding has drills that help.
If you can’t get back on
Sometimes cold, wind or tiredness makes re-entry hard. Don’t let go of your board. It floats, and it’s the easiest thing for rescuers to see.
- Lie across the board and rest before you try again.
- Prone or kneel paddle back to shore rather than standing.
- Swim the board to shallow water, where you can push off the bottom to climb on.
- Signal for help with a whistle if you’re in trouble.
Gear that makes falling safer
- Leash: keeps the board, your flotation and your ride home attached to you. In rivers and moving water, use a quick-release waist leash, as an ankle leash can snag.
- Life jacket: in the US, a paddle board counts as a vessel outside swimming and surfing areas, so you must carry a Coast Guard-approved life jacket and a whistle. Wearing it is what actually helps. See do you need a life jacket on a paddle board and our best PFDs for SUP.
- Thermal protection: cold water makes re-entry much harder, fast. Check our wetsuit tool before you go.
FAQ
Should I practice falling off a paddle board?
Yes. Practice falling and climbing back on in calm, warm, waist-deep water on your first few sessions. When it happens for real, you’ll already know what to do.
Why can’t I get back on my paddle board?
Usually it’s because you’re trying to pull with your arms alone, or climbing on near the nose or tail. Go to the middle, let your legs float up and kick hard as you pull. A wider, thicker board is also easier to climb onto than a narrow one; our Board Fitter can tell you if your board is on the small side for your weight.
Is it easier to get back on an inflatable or a hard board?
Most people find inflatables easier: they’re usually thick and wide, with a soft deck that doesn’t hurt your knees and ribs as you slide on.
What do I do with my paddle when I fall?
Hold on to it if you can. If it floats away, get back on the board first, then prone paddle with your hands to fetch it.
