Paddleboarding 101

BLACK HILLS, S.D. — Renee Raisanen, owner of Black Hills Paddlesports based out of Hill City, says if you can walk – you can paddleboard. It’s for everybody.

Some things to think about before a purchase is how you will transport the board, as well as the width and length you want, and the option of a hard shell or inflatable, and how you can store it.

Raisanen says, “The technology on the inflatable boards is super impressive, and often times if it is up to the right pressure and the quality of board you can’t even tell the difference.”

She says paddleboarding gives you a whole new perspective of being on the water; it’s a full-body workout and great for a family activity.

Raisanen adds, “So there definitely are a lot of skills that people can practice and work on and build upon, when you are first getting started, the best rule of thumb is to keep your stance as wide as possible.”

You can rent a board or dive in headfirst and buy one. For purchasing equipment, the price point will vary.

“Entry level equipment can start at $300, mid-grade equipment, you are looking at probably nine- to twelve-hundred dollars, and then as you get into some of the more custom pieces of equipment, or better materials like carbon fiber that price just continues to increase just a little bit more,” says Raisanen.

And when heading out on the water always remember your sunscreen and life jacket.