AS TOLD TO SCOTT YORKO

1. Choose the Right Board
The key is starting on a board that鈥檚 wide enough. The 12-foot-6-inch one I usually ride is really user-friendly at 30 inches wide. You want to enjoy the experience. You don鈥檛 want to be wobbling and falling off all the time.

2. Start Calm
Find a river or lake, basically any nice piece of flatwater. Avoid tidal flow and wind. Wind is a big enemy of stand-up because you鈥檙e acting like a sail. Somewhere protected and calm is usually the best for a beginner to learn.

3. Paddle Like a Pro
The right-size paddle and proper grip are also important. You know your hands are the right distance apart when you place the middle section of the paddle directly atop your head and both your arms are bent at 90 degrees. As with any sport, you don鈥檛 want to get injured from bad technique or have to undo bad habits later.聽

4. Pick Your Niche
While you can learn the basics in an hour, that鈥檚 just the start. You鈥檝e got big-wave surfing, high-performance surfing, flatwater races. There鈥檚 something for absolutely everyone. That鈥檚 the cool thing about the sport: it doesn鈥檛 discriminate鈥攁nd you don鈥檛 need the ocean.

5. Respect Local Rules
There are definitely places now where you can鈥檛 stand-up, so it鈥檚 best to ask locals where you can and can鈥檛 do it. If all else fails, try to find a wave where there鈥檚 no one around. Whatever you do, don鈥檛 paddle out into a crowded lineup, especially if you don鈥檛 see any other stand-ups out there.

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