I am a beginner (I have been twice). I can get up in calm water but am having trouble with windy and choppy days. What's the best way to get to your feet? I hear about using the paddle as a pivot as well. What's this? ANY advice is welcome.

Thanks!

i came up with a little rhyme that i'd say to myself whenever i felt i was about to fall. it goes "fall right bend right, fall left bend left". if you're about to fall to your right, bend your right knee and vice versa. at the same time you can put your paddle(broad side down) in the water and use it as a crutch (or ama like a canoe). the catch with using your paddle is that naturally it's going to go down into the water. when you lift it up you want to turn the blade sideways so as not to be pulling up a bunch of water which will in turn pull you down.

the best practice is to just get out into those kinds of conditions. keeping the nose of my board into the wind helped a lot when first learning.

good luck and aloha,
aka

Nice rhyme. I have to agree with aka. Get out in the wind and chop and put in the time. It will all gradually start coming together and you'll start using the paddle without even thinking twice about it. Have faith my friend. Keep at it at it WILL all come together. We've all gone through that learning curve and seen others go through it, the one day it all clicks and your using the paddle with skill and the wind and chop won't bother you any more.

Sounds like you still need to develope your center of gravity and the core muscles. You need to learn to walk before you run. Some begininer are better than others because he or she has some surfing experience which ties into being a good SUPer.

Keep your knees bent and your back straight. Look high and not down at the nose of your board. FLEX your knees to balance - that's where the whole core workout thing begins. Find the sweet spot of your board: if you're too far forward or (more often) back, you're gonna be fighting the board for balance. Just like riding a bicycle, speed is your friend: when launching (or getting up after falling), belly- or knee-paddle to get some momentum, then pop up while grabbing the paddle and use the paddle blade as a "third leg." It won't give you a lot a help but it can keep you a bit more balanced. Keep your feet a reasonable distance apart - too wide and again, you're fighting and not dancing. The time will come when you won't even have to think about balancing and then you're in there. Next challenge: catching waves...

I just started SUP and I love it. Bought a board and just waiting for my paddle to get delivered. It's awesome. Check this article - some basics, some weight loss advice. Can't wait to get out there and try it out! http://www.ehow.com/how_6762739_use-up-paddling-weight-loss.html