Expert Advice

Expert Advice
  • Feb 6, 2024

The Ultimate Guide to Touring Paddle Boarding

Touring paddle boarding combines exploration, endurance, and tranquility in one sport. From fitness benefits to gear essentials, this guide covers everything you need to know—including why Glide’s Quest boards stand out for paddlers who want distance, performance, and adventure on lakes, rivers, and oceans.

  • Nov 16, 2023

Can You Use an iSUP in Cold Water? Tips for Cold Water Paddle Boarding

Paddle boarding doesn’t end when summer does. With the right gear, PSI, and safety prep, your iSUP is ready for winter adventures in cold water.

  • Oct 6, 2023

Hand Pump vs Electric Pump for Your iSUP: Which is Better?

Should you use a hand pump or electric pump for your iSUP? Discover the pros, cons, and expert advice to choose the best pump for your Glide paddle board.

  • Oct 6, 2023

Paddle Boarding 101: Mastering SUP Paddle Strokes

Learn the core SUP strokes—forward, reverse, sweep—plus advanced draw and crossbow, with stance, posture, grip, and racing basics to paddle efficiently, avoid mistakes, and build confidence on any water.

  • Sep 22, 2023

Winter Care Tips for Hard Paddle Boards: Keep Your Board Adventure-Ready All Year

Keep your hard paddle board in peak shape this winter with Glide’s expert maintenance and storage tips. Learn how to clean, protect, and store your SUP safely.

  • Aug 10, 2023

USCG Life Jacket Levels for Paddle Boarding—and Why They Matter

The U.S. Coast Guard's (USCG) Personal Flotation Device (PFD) approval system is pivotal in ensuring that marine safety equipment meets rigorous standards. This article delves into the intricate details of the new PFD approval system, highlighting its importance, process, and impact on manufacturers and consumers. Historical Background Historically, the USCG has had a rigorous process for approving PFDs, ensuring they provide reliable buoyancy and visibility in emergency situations. However, evolving technology, changes in recreational boating, and international standards have necessitated updates to the system. Key Highlights Introduction to the USCG's Updated PFD Regulations: An overview of why the USCG revised its PFD standards and how these changes aim to enhance safety for water sports enthusiasts, including SUP users. The Importance of the New Approval System: Exploring how the new PFD regulations increase safety by ensuring products meet higher buoyancy and visibility standards, aligning with international norms. Understanding the New PFD Approval Process: A step-by-step breakdown of how PFDs are tested and approved under the new system, highlighting the focus on durability, comfort, and performance in water. Impact on Manufacturers and Consumers: Discussing how the updated regulations encourage innovation among manufacturers and what SUP enthusiasts should expect in terms of product quality and price adjustments. How to Choose a USCG-Approved PFD for SUP: Tips on selecting the right PFD for paddleboarding activities, considering the new performance levels and ensuring compliance with safety standards. Ensuring Compliance While Paddleboarding: Advice on how SUP enthusiasts can stay compliant with the new regulations, including understanding the required PFD performance level for different water conditions.

  • Aug 1, 2023

Where to Stand on Your Paddle Board

Learn where to stand on your paddle board for balance, speed, and control. Find the sweet spot, refine trim, adjust for surf, rivers, or fitness, and use quick drills to lock in confidence on any water.

  • Jul 28, 2023

River Paddle Boarding: A Complete Guide for Every Paddler

Discover how to paddle board on rivers safely and confidently. Learn about gear, techniques, river dynamics, and safety tips in this comprehensive guide.

  • Jul 24, 2023

How to use GPS to Improve your Paddle Boarding

GPS (Global Positioning System) is an indispensable tool for outdoor sports enthusiasts. It plays an equally significant role in enhancing your paddle boarding experience. GPS can help you track your routes, measure distances, and even keep an eye on weather conditions. But most importantly,it is pivotal for safety purposes, helping you locate your position in open waters, making it easier for others to find you in case of emergencies. Key Highlights: Introduction to GPS in Paddle Boarding: Emphasize the critical role of GPS in improving paddle boarding by ensuring safety and enhancing navigational skills. Choosing the Right GPS Device: Discussion on the types of GPS devices suitable for paddle boarding, including waterproof smartphones and GPS watches, highlighting their convenience and functionality. Benefits of Using GPS for Paddle Boarding: Outline how GPS technology aids in route tracking, speed and distance measurements, and significantly boosts safety on the water. GPS Apps for Enhanced Paddle Boarding: Introduce various GPS apps designed specifically for water sports, mentioning their features like live location sharing, weather forecasts, and tracking paddle strokes. Practical GPS Usage Tips: Offer tips on getting familiar with GPS devices, ensuring their security during paddling sessions, and leveraging GPS for training and performance analysis. The Importance of Pairing GPS with Other Equipment: Explain how integrating GPS with paddle board equipment like heart rate monitors can offer a comprehensive overview of fitness levels and paddling performance. The Future of GPS in Paddle Boarding: Speculate on how GPS technology might evolve, offering more detailed analyses and real-time environmental data to paddlers. A Cautionary Note on Relying Solely on GPS: Stress the importance of not becoming overly dependent on GPS and the necessity of basic navigation skills and common sense.

  • Jul 20, 2023

🏄‍♂️ How to Go Faster on a Stand Up Paddle Board (2025 Guide)

Want to paddle faster? Discover the best techniques, gear, and training tips to increase your SUP speed. From board design to fitness, we cover it all.

  • Jul 13, 2023

How to Master the Sweep Stroke on your Paddleboard

Turn faster with the sweep stroke. Learn setup, catch, draw, recovery, reverse sweep, step-back pivots, fin tweaks, and drills—plus safety and real-world tactics for waves, wakes, and tight spaces.

  • Jul 12, 2023

How to Master 'The Catch' on Your Stand up Paddle Board Stroke

Key Highlights: The Essence of 'The Catch': Understanding this pivotal paddle board stroke phase for optimal propulsion. Equipment Selection: Choosing the right paddle and board, including the benefits of lightweight carbon fiber paddles. Technique Tips: Detailed steps to perfect 'The Catch', from paddle positioning to the pull-back phase. Practice Strategies: Incorporating land practice, video analysis, and professional instruction for improvement. Enhanced Fitness Routine: Leveraging 'The Catch' for a full-body workout, emphasizing core strength and balance. Maintenance Advice: Importance of regular paddle board care for performance consistency. Introduction Stand up paddle boarding (SUP) has taken the water sports world by storm, due to its ease of entry and the great workout it provides. A key component of SUP is the paddle stroke, and one of the most critical parts of the stroke is 'The Catch'. It's the initial phase when the paddle enters the water, and it sets the pace for the rest of the stroke. Mastering 'The Catch' can significantly improve your paddle board experience, whether on a solid board or an inflatable paddle board.

  • Jul 6, 2023

SUPrise Your Partner: Romantic Paddle Boarding Adventures

Paddle boards and dating. Find out all you need to know. Key Highlights: Choosing the Perfect Paddle Board: Whether it's a stable solid board for smooth gliding or an inflatable board for easy transport, picking the right SUP is crucial for a comfortable experience. Adventure Gear Essentials: Don't forget your paddle, safety equipment, and some romantic extras like snacks and a waterproof camera to capture those special moments. Selecting the Perfect Spot: A calm lake or a secluded beach can set the perfect mood for your paddle boarding date. Tranquility and scenic beauty are key. Planning Fun Activities: From SUP yoga to a mini-picnic on the water, incorporating enjoyable activities can enhance your date. Safety Considerations: Always wear personal flotation devices and be mindful of the marine life. Safety ensures a worry-free adventure.

  • Jun 21, 2023

Wave Goodbye to Belly Fat: Mastering SUP for Ultimate Fitness

Stand up paddle boarding (SUP) isn't just a trend; it's a transformative way to sculpt your body, especially targeting that stubborn belly fat. With a perfect blend of excitement, tranquility, and a full-body workout, SUP stands out as a superior fitness routine. Let's dive into how SUP can be your ally in achieving a leaner, more toned physique. Key Highlights Holistic Muscle Engagement: SUP activates leg muscles, cores, arms, back, and shoulders for a full-body workout. Calorie Burning Efficiency: With the potential to burn 300 to 1000 calories per hour, SUP is an excellent activity for weight loss. Variety of Disciplines: Incorporate SUP Yoga and Surfing to intensify workouts and target abdominal fat more effectively. Accessibility for All Levels: From serene flatwater paddling for beginners to the challenge of racing and surfing for advanced paddlers. Choosing the Right Equipment: The importance of selecting a board that suits your level and goals, whether inflatable for convenience or solid for performance. Emphasis on Safety: The necessity of a PFD, sunscreen, and environmental awareness for a safe paddling experience. Holistic Benefits: Beyond physical fitness, SUP promotes mental well-being, stress reduction, and community connections.

  • Jun 20, 2023

No Pain, Just Gain: Smart Strategies for Safe SUP Adventures

Key Highlights Understanding SUP Risks: Awareness of common injuries like sprains and fractures is crucial for prevention and safety on the water. Equipment Selection: Choosing the right SUP board (solid or inflatable) and paddle (correct length) is foundational for injury prevention. Proper Paddling Technique: Emphasizes the importance of stance, core engagement, and using the torso for paddling to reduce strain and injury risk. Safety Gear: The necessity of Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs), leashes for board connection, and sun protection to mitigate immediate and long-term hazards. Conditioning and Fitness: Highlighting the role of core strength, balance training, and cardiovascular health in enhancing stability and preventing injuries. Post-Paddle Care: Recommends stretching, foam rolling, and the use of ice and compression to aid in recovery and reduce soreness.

  • Jun 20, 2023

How to Paddle Board in Choppy Conditions

Paddle confidently in chop with the right board and fin setup, a stable offset stance, higher cadence strokes, smart lines in wind and waves, and a safety-first plan—plus quick drills to lock in control.