Free template · updated November 3, 2026
Paddleboard instructions for guests (template)
Stand-up paddleboards look easy from the shore, and most guests manage within ten minutes. The real danger is wind: a light breeze blowing off the shore can carry a tired paddler out much further than they meant to go.
This template covers pumping up an inflatable board, getting up safely, holding the paddle the right way, the leash, the offshore wind warning, life jackets and what to do if you fall in. Fill in your board, pump pressure and local hazards.
The template
Replace anything in [brackets] with your own details.
Getting the board ready
- Boards and paddles are at [Board location]. Life jackets are at [Life jacket location].
- Inflatable board: pump it to [Pressure from the board] with the pump in [Pump location]. Close the valve cap tightly.
- Set the paddle so the handle reaches about [Height guide, e.g. your wrist with your arm raised].
- You don't need to let it down when you're done; just return it to [Where it goes].
Safety first
- Please wear a life jacket on the board.
- Check the wind at [Weather source]. If the wind is blowing from the land out over the water, stay close to shore or don't go. It can push you out fast.
- Use the leash on lakes and calm water. Please don't use an ankle leash on a river or in moving water.
- Tell someone where you're going and when you'll be back.
- Stay off the water in thunderstorms, fog or whitecaps, and after drinking.
Getting up
- Start kneeling in the middle of the board, in water about knee deep.
- Stand up one foot at a time, feet hip-width apart either side of the handle. Look ahead, not at your feet.
- The paddle blade's bend should point forward, away from you.
- If you fall, fall away from the board, then climb back on from the side.
If you get tired or the wind picks up
Kneel or sit down. In strong wind, lie on the board and paddle with your hands towards shore.
Areas to avoid
[Hazards, e.g. the swimming area, the boat lane, rocks off the point.]
Emergency
Call [Emergency number]. Our address: [Address for emergency calls]
Copied. Paste it into your welcome book or message.
Tips
- Leave a pump that matches the board's valve, with the target pressure written on it.
- Explain offshore wind in plain words; it's the hazard most beginners don't know about.
- Provide a leash and a life jacket for every board, in sizes that suit your likely guests.
- Check boards for slow leaks between stays so guests aren't left on a soft board.
- Name any swimming areas or boat lanes boards must stay out of.
Put it on one guest page instead of a binder
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Questions
Do you need a life jacket on a paddleboard?
It's the safest choice, and in many places a board counts as a vessel that needs one aboard. Most hosts ask guests to wear one.
Should paddleboard guests use a leash?
On calm lakes, yes, so the board stays close if they fall. On rivers or moving water, an ankle leash can snag, so experts advise against it there.
What is offshore wind and why does it matter?
It's wind blowing from the land out over the water. It makes the water near shore look calm but can push a paddler out, so beginners should stay close or stay in.
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