Myth No. 1: "Paddleboarding doesn't require any effort".
Contrary to popular belief, paddleboarding is a complete workout that calls on many muscles.
Maintaining balance on the board requires the use of trunk, leg and arm muscles. What's more, paddling strengthens the cardiovascular system.
According to an American study, a paddling session can burn between **305 and 430 calories **per hour for the average person. That's roughly comparable to brisk walking!
Myth no. 2: "Paddleboarding is only a leisure sport".
That's not true! In fact, the sport has been practiced competitively in France since 2009, under the supervision of the French Surfing Federation.
What are paddleboard competitions like? There are short sprints, but also** marathons on the water**, which involve both *strategyand endurance*.
In fact, the last paddle world championships will be held in Les Sables d'Olonnes, France, in 2023. And just so you know, the French won the title for the third time last year!
"Myth No. 3. Paddle is only for adults".
There's no strict minimum age for starting to paddle, but in general, children can start as soon as they can swim and are comfortable in the water, often around the age of 6 or 7.
It all depends on their physical development, their confidence in the water and their ability to follow safety instructions.
To get them off to a safe start, there are a few rules: wear a lifejacket suited to their size and weight, choose **broader, more stable boards **to facilitate their balance, start in very calm waters and be accompanied by an adult, especially during the first few sessions.
Myth No. 4: "Paddling is dangerous
As with any water sport, there are obviously risks involved, such as falling in the water, colliding with another paddler, getting a cramp or being swept away from the shore.
But risks are very rare when you start paddling with a teacher or on a calm lake, which is certainly the best way to start.
Finally, there are a few tricks you can use to avoid risks: wear a lifejacket, use a leash (a rope connecting the ankle to the board), check the weather conditions before setting off, and practice only in suitable areas.
**Myth 5 "Paddleboarding can only be practised on calm lakes".
Paddleboarding is actually quite an adaptable sport, and can be practiced in a wide variety of aquatic environments.
There are, of course, rivers and streams, which can be very calm, but also quite extreme, depending on the flow and the presence of rapids. In fact, there's a sub-discipline of whitewater paddling that requires advanced skills but offers a more adrenaline-fuelled experience.
You can also paddle on the sea or ocean. It can be a leisurely stroll on the water, or in surf mode, where paddlers catch waves. Here again, the technique is different and requires more strength and agility than on a calm lake.
But paddling can also be practised on urban canals, inland waterways or even mangroves- why not!
In Paris, for example, the Seine Paddle Club offers regular sessions on the Seine, to see the city from a different angle.
