How to Paddle Board in Strong Crosswinds

Paddle Boarding in Strong Crosswinds

Windy conditions can be dangerous when paddle boarding. And it’s best to not go out when it is windy. But there are times when on a long tour or sup camping that you get caught in unexpected strong winds.

Paddling into the wind and downwind offer their own challenges. But the trickiest winds on the water, and most dangerous, are crosswinds.

A crosswind will push your paddle board off course. To compensate you must paddle hard on one side.

And waves created by a strong crosswind will make your board unstable.

The negative effects of crosswinds are worse for longer paddle boards and paddle boards that have a lot of gear on deck.

Longer sup boards offer more surface area for the wind to catch. And it is very noticeable with 14′ paddle boards. And large dry bags filled with gear can really catch the wind.

The stronger the crosswind the harder you will have to paddle on one side. No matter how strong of a paddler you are – paddling hard on only one side – you will fatigue.

Unfortunately, there is not much you can do to make paddling easier in a crosswind. It’s going to require some hard work to get you where you want to go.

A strong crosswind forces you to paddle mostly on one side exhausting you quicker

Paddle Boarding Crosswind Tips

1. Check the Wind Forecast

Check the wind forecast on windfinder.com before you go on a long tour. You can get an hourly wind forecast and save yourself some serious trouble.

If you are on a sup camping trip in open water be sure and bring a NOAA weather radio or a two-way VHF marine radio.

2. Step Back When Paddling

If you need to paddle hard on one side it’s best to move one foot back into more of a surfer’s stance. This will give you more paddling power.

Also, try standing a bit closer to the tail when paddling in strong crosswinds. That will lift the paddle board nose out of the water. You will track less with the nose. The nose will then swing more easily into the direction you are paddling.

3. Zig-Zag Upwind (Tacking)

One thing you can try is to paddle directly into the wind for a while. Paddling into the wind is still hard work but you will be able to paddle on both sides. And it will make your sup board more stable if you paddle directly into the waves.

Then dog-leg back toward your destination with the wind in your back. It will still be a crosswind but a downwind-crosswind that will make paddling easier. You will still be paddling on one side but the wind on your back will help.

Using these zig-zag turns into the wind, then side-downwind can be a big help depending on your situation.

4. Repack Deck Bags

If you are sup camping repack your dry bags making all your gear as compact as possible. Then strap it to your deck as low-profile as you can.

6. Use Cliffs For Protection

If you’re paddling near cliffs or large rocks they may create a natural wind block you can use. At the least you may be able to use them to take a rest.

7. Use a Deep Touring Fin

I always carry an extra center fin when sup camping. Swapping to a larger, deeper center fin will help improve tracking and stability in crosswinds. Don’t use a surf-style all-around fin.