Card 1 — The Goal
💪 The Torso Twist: Power comes from rotating your torso, not pulling with arms — blade fully submerged, core doing the work. Arms-only paddling is why beginners are exhausted in 20 minutes.
Paddle Like You Know How: 5 Stroke and Safety Basics
Card 2 — Step 1
🌀 The Sweep Turn: To turn, sweep one wide arc from nose to tail. One long sweep out-turns five choppy strokes — draw a half-circle in the water.
Card 3 — Step 2
🌊 The Flat Fall Rule: Falling off a paddleboard? Aim flat into the WATER, never onto the board. Water forgives; fiberglass doesn't.
Card 4 — Step 3
🌬️ The Into-the-Wind Start: Paddle into the wind first while you're fresh, ride it home when you're tired. Doing it backwards strands more beginners than anything else.
Card 5 — The Cheat Sheet
👥 The 20-Foot Buddy Rule: Stay within 20 feet of your partner on the water. Close enough to help in seconds — capsizes don't send calendar invites.