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LairdHamilton.com asked longtime SUP instructor Jeff Sweet to give us his top 5 commandments for new paddlers to remember before hitting the water. Here’s his list.    1. Take a lesson from a professional. You’ll be happy you did. If you take one lesson from a good instructor, you’re golden and can learn everything in one shot. Finding a good instructor can be tough so locate your local surf shop, not a big box retail outlet, but a real, local surf or paddling shop and ask for a recommendation. Or listen to other paddlers in your community. Word of mouth...

One key to standup paddling is dialing in your stroke. It’s not going to happen your first time out but with a little practice, you can create a paddling rhythm that’ll stick with you forever and make your experience on the water better every time out. For this stroke tutorial, we turned to professional instructor Jeff Sweet of Malibu, California, who's also a LairdStandUp Team rider. Speed is your friend. A lot of people, when they first get on a board, want to stand still to gain their balance. But a board is more stable when it’s planing or moving...

HERO - By Rhonda Byrne There is something special about you. There is something you were born to be or do that not one of the other seven billion of us was. There is a life you are meant to live; there is a journey you are meant to take. This book is about that journey. Twelve of the most successful people living in the world today share their seemingly impossible stories, and reveal that you were born with everything you need to live your greatest dream – and that by doing so you will fulfill your mission and literally...

So you’re ready to start standup paddling? Got your board, got your paddle, got your buddy? Laird Hamilton team rider Chuck Glynn drops knowledge with six first time blunders he sees regularly from new paddlers. That way, you can avoid them.  People usually have their paddle the wrong way. Make sure the paddle is facing the right direction.  For beginners, it feels like the blade curve should be towards you but it’s the opposite. Generally the logo—and thus, the blade angle—is facing away from you. Your stroke will be a lot smoother if your paddle is facing the correct direction. ...