One of the main reasons why many years ago paddle boarding and all its various activities took my heart at first try was its versatility. I mean from paddle boarding you can go to SUP surfing, to yoga and all these other activities on your board that you will never get tired from.

Here we’ll be discussing all about the paddle surfing and the different types of surf sups out there. So, whatever you have been wondering about SUP surfing, I’m here to answer.

What is SUP Surfing?

If you already have experience with regular paddle boarding, but you now want to try some SUP surfing to mix things up and learn new skills, at the first try, you will realize that surfing waves on a SUP is a very different sport from flat water SUPing. Not that it’s significantly tricky, but you’ll have to learn some new moves and techniques to get rolling. If you need a refresher on the fundamentals before diving into waves, our SUP 101 guide covers everything you should already know.

Not to worry though, if you’re already experienced being on a SUP board, and you have paddled through flat water surfaces and those windy and choppy days, then you definitely have a great base, and you’ll master SUP surfing in no time!

And speaking of those moves and techniques that you have to learn, as an experienced stand up paddler, I’m here to explain to you all the basics of paddle surf through the next 8 main tips in this text.

1. SUP Surfing: the main gear

The SUP Surfing Board

Of course, the most essential gear for SUP surfing is the SUP surfboard.
Should you go and get a brand new SUP board for SUP surfing? Well, that depends on your current SUP board.

To be able to balance and ride waves on your SUP, you need to have the ability to float and to maneuver your SUP board. That said, if you have a longer SUP board, then it will be slower to turn in the surf, and if your board is quite wide, then it will hold less in the hollower waves.

However, that’s not to say that an experienced surfer won’t be able to SUP surf at all, but only that beginners might have a more difficult time with mastering it all.

Shortly said, this is the length you are going to need for SUP surfing:
Pick a SUP board that’s smaller than those used for cruising or touring. If until now you have been paddling on a 10-12 ft board, for SUP surfing, you will need about a 9ft board.
And if until now you have been paddling on a 9-10 ft board, then an 8ft would be just perfect for paddle board surfing.

And this is the width of the SUP board needed for smooth SUP surfing:
Since too wide of a board won’t work for paddle board surfing, pick something that’s around 30 or 31″.

Also, when it comes to the design, the surf sups should have a surfboard-type shape instead of looking like a canoe or a floater. It should typically look like an oversized shortboard surfboard or an oversized longboard surfboard. For the full rundown on stance, technique, and etiquette once you’re out there, check out our stand-up paddle board surfing guide.

Plus, the weight of the overall SUP board should be too heavy. Choose one that you could carry by the handle from the car to the water without needing to put it down for a rest.

As you are just starting out, don’t go with a board that’s too short. Something like 7 feet won’t work unless you are already a seasoned paddler or surfer. However, after you try SUP surfing for the first couple of weeks, trust me when I say, you’ll get hooked! Hooked, I tell ya!

So, maybe if you are now buying a SUP board for SUP surfing too, get a cheaper one or a used one, because when you get a beginner’s board now, in a couple of months’ time you’ll outgrow it and you’ll be ready for a board that can provide more maneuverability and control.

The SUP Surfing paddle

When it comes to SUP surfing, you cannot just get away with any sort of SUP paddle. So you can forget about your heavy adjustable paddle made from plastic and/or metal.

For paddle board surfing, you need one that’s lightweight. This will make a huge difference when paddling through the waves, when changing sides for quick turns in the wave, when pushing your paddle away from you before getting smashed by a wave, and so on.

This is why I would advise you to invest in a full-carbon SUP paddle. Sure, it will be a bit pricier than your usual paddle, BUT you will use it for years in SUP surfing and paddle boarding, and it won’t tire your arms, so it’s really a win-win situation!

If money’s tight, you can always find a good second-hand deal.

But hey, what about the paddle surf size? Well, when it comes to paddle boarding, you want it to be several centimeters taller than you, but for paddle board surfing, you need it to be the same height as you.

The SUP Surfing leash

The third and last vital piece of gear for paddle surfing is the board leash.

This also differs when it comes to paddle boarding or SUP surfing because of the SUP board. Namely, your surf SUP board will probably be bulkier and heavier than your stand up paddle board so that you will need a longer and thicker leash. This is because you are now surfing the waves, and your leash is more likely to pull hard on your leg and board since your board is constantly getting swept away by the waves.

Wondering about the length of the leash? Well, it should be as long as your board, but it shouldn’t be too long because it will keep tangling around your feet.

Do not go for a coiled leash for SUP surfing because they can be dangerous due to both recoil and extended length in the waves.

Basically, the heavier your SUP surfing and the stronger the waves, the thicker a leash you want.

2. SUP Surfing: where to SUP surf?

Now that you have the right paddle board surfing gear, the second most important thing is the find the right spot for practicing SUP surfing.

For this, I’ve gathered the 6 key things to look for when in search of a paddle surf location.

Small Gentle Waves

The smaller the waves, the better in the beginning. Look for places with gentle whitewater where no big sets are breaking across the horizon.

A Paddling Channel

Search for a spot with waves breaking in one area, and then a relatively flat water channel across the waves so that you can easily paddle back out on your SUP.

A Smooth Water Surface

Find a beach that has little or no chop. This means no wind because it is a lot easier to learn SUP surfing when there’s a flat water area between the waves.

A Beach Break

Pick a place that doesn’t have a strong shore break. This is because it will be quite hard for you to push your board across the waves.

Avoid the Rocks

Besides the risk of you getting hurt, a rocky area will definitely damage surf SUPs. Plus, you will probably fall a lot in the beginning, so you can imagine how dangerous such an area would be. 

Avoid the Crowds

Choose a spot that has lower traffic, whether that’s people swimming, paddling, surfing, or boats passing by. All these can be very distracting and potentially dangerous, as you will fall over quite a lot in the beginning. Plus, with so many people around waiting for a wave, you will never catch enough waves to practice properly.

3. SUP Surfing: in the waters

As part of the how-to SUP surf series, this is the next key step in mastering this sport. This is one of the first challenges you have to learn initially.

When getting into the water through a beach break, you’ll have to learn to push your board through the shore break while holding your paddle in your other hand. Make sure to get past the shore break before hopping onto your SUP and stand up paddle toward the peak.

To do this SUP surfing technique right, you have to first float on your SUP board on top of the water while holding it firmly by the handle and dynamically pushing it toward and over each incoming whitewater or small wave. During this time, keep the paddle perpendicular to the wave. Otherwise, it will get dragged back to the shore.

As you are walking and dragging your board across the water when it starts getting deep enough or even too deep to walk, get onto your surf SUP board in a prone position.

Place the paddle under your torso while its handle is sticking out far in front of you. Then start paddling with your hand just like you would on a surfboard.

This paddling technique is beneficial in the beginning while you are still building up your SUP surfing skills. Experienced SUP surfers use the surfboard-style prone paddling when they cannot stand up paddle to the peak because of the conditions. Also, this technique is used for resting their legs after riding long waves.

On the other hand, if you are learning to SUP surf at a point break because you cannot find a beach break or any other spot, then this prone paddling technique is also precious.

You see, by getting out in the water through a point break, you have to jump off the rocks and immediately lie on your surf SUP and paddle with your hands until you get to a spot where you can stand up and use the paddle instead.

4. SUP Surfing: stand up paddling to the peak

After learning how to get into the water and prone paddle your water to the waves, let’s review stand up paddling through the surf.

How To Stand Up On A Surf SUP?

You may think since you already know how to stand up and paddle on flat water that this should be easy-peasy, but the truth is, stand up paddling when SUP surfing is a whole different story.

Firstly the wind and the waves make it hard to get up on your board and stay on your feet. Additionally, the fact that your surf SUP is now shorter and less stable doesn’t help either!

This is why beginner surf SUPers should start by kneeling on their board and mastering balance like that before completely standing. By doing this gradually, you get familiar with your board’s proportions so that you know where it is best to place your knees/feet and go from there.

Be patient with yourself when standing upon the waves. Don’t give up, no matter how many times you have fallen over.

Standing Up Directly

I’ve heard many surfers say that when they actually try to stand on their knees from previously being in a prone position and then standing on their feet is harder for them. Some people prefer prone to feet immediately and feel that that step in the middle is complicating things for them.

So, try to omit this step and see if that’s easier for you.

Additionally, you can try to first sit on your surf SUP and then stand on your feet without kneeling. As you sit, simply place your feet under you to stand up, but before standing up, put the paddle down across the SUP in front of you.

PRO TIP: If your board is smaller than you’re used to, and there’s a lot of wind and waves around you, standing up might prove difficult, making the board quite unstable. So, to avoid falling down, you need to stand up as quickly as possible while your board still has that initial momentum from your paddling.

Also, advanced riders, when they find themselves in this situation, they first paddle with their hands when in prone position to make the board move, and then pop up quickly while the SUP is still moving.

Surf SUP Paddle Stance

When you are touring or just paddling on your SUP board, your usual stance is with your feet parallel and facing forward.

However, when you are SUP surfing on your smaller board, then it is helpful to pull one foot slightly backward (just several centimeters) to improve your board’s stability by spreading your weight over the board’s center area.