To launch a paddle board, walk it into the water beside you until it’s deep enough that the fin won’t touch the bottom (usually knee to thigh deep), lay the paddle across the deck, then climb on and kneel just behind the carry handle. Paddle a few strokes on your knees to get away from the shore, then stand up once the board is moving and you feel steady.
Most fin damage happens in the first and last few feet of a paddle, so a good launch saves your board as well as your dignity.
Quick answer
- Before you go: life jacket on, leash ready, check the wind and the forecast.
- Pick a spot: shallow, sandy or muddy, out of the way of swimmers and boats.
- Walk it out: board on the water beside you, nose pointing out, until the fin clears the bottom.
- Get on: paddle across the deck, hands on the rails, knees just behind the handle.
- Kneel first: a few strokes away from shore, then stand.
Before you launch
- Wear your life jacket. In the US, a paddle board counts as a vessel outside swimming and surfing areas, so you need a Coast Guard-approved life jacket and a whistle. More in do you need a life jacket on a paddle board.
- Check the wind. Wind blowing offshore (from the land out to the water) makes it easy to get out and hard to get back. If it’s strong, pick another day or another spot. Our guide to the best conditions for paddle boarding covers what to look for.
- Check the board. Fin tight, inflatable pumped to the recommended pressure, valve cap on.
- Have the leash ready but attach it at the water’s edge, so you don’t trip over it on the walk down.
Choosing where to launch
A good launch spot is:
- Shallow and gently sloping, with sand, mud or small gravel rather than rocks or oyster beds.
- Sheltered, out of the wind and away from breaking waves if you can find it.
- Out of traffic. Avoid boat ramps when they’re busy and keep clear of swimming areas. If you do use a ramp, get your board in and out quickly and don’t block it.
- Legal. Some beaches and parks restrict where boards can launch. Look for signs, or ask a local rental shop.
How to launch from a beach or shore
- Carry the board to the water. The under-arm carry with the center handle is easiest for most people; see how to carry a paddle board.
- Put it on the water beside you, not in front of you, with the nose pointing out and the fin away from the bottom.
- Attach your leash to your ankle or calf on the side nearest the tail.
- Walk the board out until the water is deep enough that the fin won’t hit the bottom when you climb on. For most boards that’s around knee to thigh deep.
- Lay the paddle across the deck, just in front of where you’ll kneel, with the blade on one side. Boat-Ed’s paddlesports course teaches holding the rails with the paddle under one hand.
- Climb on and kneel just behind the carry handle. That’s the balance point. Too far back and the nose lifts; too far forward and the nose dives.
- Paddle on your knees until you’re clear of the shore, the shallows and other people.
How to stand up
Once you’re moving and in clear water:
- Put the paddle across the deck in front of you, held in both hands, or stand its blade on the deck as a prop (Boat-Ed calls this the tripod method).
- Bring one foot up to where your knee was, then the other.
- Stand up slowly, keeping your knees soft and your eyes on the horizon, not your feet.
- Set your feet about hip- to shoulder-width apart, either side of the handle.
A board that’s moving forward is steadier than one sitting still, so a couple of strokes first really helps.
How to launch from a dock
Docks are trickier because the deck is usually higher than the board. Boat-Ed’s kneeling method is the safest:
- Put the board in the water parallel to the dock, fin clear of anything underneath.
- Sit or kneel on the dock, hold the board close with one hand on the rail, and put the paddle across the deck.
- Move your knees onto the board just behind the handle, one at a time, keeping your weight low and centered.
- Push gently away from the dock and paddle on your knees until you’re steady.
If the dock is very high above the water, look for a lower float, a ladder or a nearby beach.
How to launch through small waves
Launching from an ocean beach with surf adds a few steps:
- Watch the waves for a few minutes to time the sets.
- Walk the board out holding it by the handle or rails, nose pointed straight into the waves. A wave that hits the board side-on can slam it into you.
- Never stand between the board and an incoming wave.
- In a lull, jump on and paddle hard on your knees (or prone, lying down) until you’re past where the waves break.
If the waves are bigger than knee high, it’s a day to stay in the bay. More in how to paddle board in the ocean.
Coming back in
Landing is the launch in reverse. Kneel down before you reach the shallows, paddle in on your knees, and step off into the water while it’s still deep enough to keep the fin off the bottom. Then lift the board out rather than dragging it up the beach.
FAQ
How deep should the water be to launch a paddle board?
Deep enough that the fin can’t touch the bottom when your weight is on the board. That’s usually knee to thigh deep, more with a long touring fin.
Should I start on my knees on a paddle board?
Yes. Kneeling first is how instructors and Boat-Ed’s course teach it. It keeps you stable near shore, where there are rocks, other people and shallow water to fall into.
Can I launch a paddle board by sitting on the edge of a dock?
You can, but kneeling onto the board is easier for beginners. Boat-Ed’s standing method from a seated position on the dock works once your balance is good.
Where do I attach the leash?
Usually to the ankle or calf of your back foot, on the tail side of the board. In rivers and moving water, use a quick-release waist leash instead, because an ankle leash can snag.
