Paddleboard Basics

Mastery in Motion: The SUP Discipline

Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) on the Hudson is a discipline of balance, tenacity, and grace. Unlike kayaking, where the boat provides a frame for your lower body, a paddleboard offers total freedom of movement for your whole body.

Why train with us?

• The MKC Method: We use a signature land-to-water progression to build muscle memory on land before you launch.
• Focus on the Kinetic Chain: We replace arm-paddling with a full-body stroke that starts at the ball of your foot.
• Pro Standards: Our curriculum is aligned with the American Canoe Association (ACA). We use high-performance boards (under 30″ wide) designed for the open river.
• Small Groups: We cap classes at 6 students for better 1-on-1 coaching.

The “Neuro-Sync” Phase

Most beginners naturally try to pull the water with their arms. This is a common trap. At Manhattan Kayak, we teach you to stop pushing or pulling and start hinging. Expect a mechanical phase for your first few hours. It’s that stage where you’ve seen and heard what a good stroke looks like, but your body hasn’t fully grasped what it needs to do yet. You’ll feel stiff until the neuro-muscular connections catch on, transforming jerky movements into a high-performance engine.

The 3-Class Series

Classes must be taken in sequence (1 → 2 → 3).

SUP 1: Foundation (2.5 Hours)

• Learn the hinge technique: extend your upper body forward to plant the paddle, then thrust your hips to finish the stroke with your core.
• Master prone and knee paddling: these are your recovery stances for stability when the water gets bouncy.
• We replace the fear of falling with a safety skill. You’ll practice an intentional fall and a rapid remount so you can relax and focus on your form.

SUP 2: Speed & Catch (2.5 Hours)

• Maintain a vertical paddle through every phase of your stroke to keep the board tracking straight ahead with maximum momentum and power.
• Find your neuro-muscular connections while standing and turning, dialing in the kinetic chain during each stroke.
• We use video analysis for real-time feedback, the fastest way to fix alignment and find your rhythm.

SUP 3: Navigation & Conditions (2.5 Hours)

• Interpret a professional marine forecast. We teach you to make informed go/no-go decisions.
• Apply your skills during a graduation paddle on the open Hudson, a low-pressure session to test your technique on open water.
• Graduate and unlock Intermediate River Trips and join our year-round community of adventurers.