How much wind a paddleboard can take
A breeze that is fine for a walk can push a paddleboard off course. Here is where the comfortable line sits, and how to use the calm part of the day.
How much wind is too much
You are standing up, and the board does not cut through the wind the way a kayak does. Below about 8 mph, most people can stand, turn, and get back to shore.
From about 8 to 14 mph, you can still paddle, but it is work. You will kneel. You will fall in. A beginner on open water will have a hard time. Above 14 mph, pick another day, or a very small pond with shelter around it.
The same morning can be a good day for a hike and a bad day for a board. Check the wind at the place you will launch. Do not use the hiking forecast.
The wind is often light at dawn and stronger before lunch. If the calm hours are early, go then. Skip the afternoon if the forecast already says it will be breezier.
Notice which way it is blowing
Wind blowing toward the beach pushes you back to shore. Wind blowing away from the beach pushes you out. That is how people get tired a long way from land.
If there is any wind, check the direction before you paddle downwind “just to the point.” Wear a leash. A board with nobody on it moves faster than you can swim.
On the coast, the tide changes how deep the water is and how strong the current is. A flat that is ankle deep at noon can be a channel by 3 p.m.
On a lake, pick a cove or a creek with trees blocking the wind. An open shoreline is the last choice on a breezy day.
Plan on falling in
Assume you will swim. If the water is cold, the air temperature will not tell you what that swim feels like. A short paddle in a layer you can move in is better than a long one in a swimsuit.
On a warm, still day, bring sun protection, water, and the leash you already trust. If there are showers or lightning, carry the board back to the car.
Outside Plan treats wind as the main signal for paddleboarding. It also looks at rain, temperature, and the tide when a station is nearby. If the reasons say the wind is up, believe them.
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