Benefits of Solo Paddle vs Paddle Partners: Which one is right for you?  

Deciding whether to go out on a solo paddle or go out with friends can often seem like a whole task in itself, being an activity that you can do both socially and in solitary. Whether you prefer a solo adventure or the camaraderie of paddling with friends, both options come with their own advantages that we have broken down for you. 

One of the biggest advantages to paddling in a group is the added safety that comes with it. If something happens on the water such as unexpected rough water, equipment failure or a medical emergency, you have others that are nearby that are able to provide immediate assistance. Not only that but on long-distance paddles you can easily lose motivation, being with a paddle partner means someone is there to pick you up and encourage you to go on! 

Surrounding yourself with people who have been paddleboarding a lot longer than you or are masters in different areas of paddleboarding, for example SUP Yoga, will help to push you to grow in your skillset. This in turn will make you a more well-rounded paddleboarder. Knowing how to perform different moves, learning the correct form and easier ways of doing things- for example how to self-rescue will aid you in your paddleboard journey going forward. 

Heading out onto the water with friends can make for some memorable moments that will last a lifetime! You can have races with one another, play capture the flag, do some paddle and camp trips, there really is a paddle group for everyone! And what better way to spend time out on the water than with your friends! It becomes a bonding experience that you will find you will talk about or reminisce with one another for years to come; it’ll also mean that through these friendships you might also meet more like-minded people along the way! 

As mentioned previously there are so many activities that you can do with your SUP board, why not head out onto the lake and see who can do the best SUP yoga poses without falling in or go head to head in a battle to cross the finish line first! Going out in groups can mean that you are experiencing every activity that our SUPs have to offer that you might not be able to do paddling alone. 

The benefit of deciding to get out on the water by yourself is that you get to decide how you spend your time. You can set how slow/fast you would like your pace to be, take as many breaks as you want and decide on your route! It is the perfect way to explore new sup spots at your own leisure or paddle in familiar surroundings without the distractions. 

Being out on the water can be a meditative experience and many solo paddlers use this time to clear their minds by listening to nearby animals, feeling the waves roll beneath them. Without conversation you become more at one with your surrounding environment and your own thoughts. It can be a good way to declutter the mind and take a moment away from the hustle and bustle of life to properly reset. 

Your confidence and skill set will grow when paddling on your own as you will have to make decisions by yourself on which routes to take and manage your own safety. You will become more self-reliant if you lose balance or get caught in tricky currents and learn to stay calm under pressure. With all that being said safety is paramount in these activities and so always make sure that you are telling someone if you are planning to go paddleboarding solo with your location and an estimated time you’ll be back on shore to check in with them.  

You are in control, if you want to go for that sunset paddle or on a spontaneous afternoon adventure you can pack up and go! No need to rely on co-ordinating schedules with travel partners, you decide when you want to get out into nature!