This week’s discussion point from me is about paddling and abbreviations & terminology. ‘BA’, ‘PFD’, ‘WWSR’, ‘eddies’, ‘boof’, ‘hanging draw’, ‘put-ins’, ‘stoppers’, ‘Greenland stick’. Eh? What are these all about?! As with many sports, the range of abbreviations and specific terminology in paddlesport is enough to send a newbie into an about-turn spin and walk right back in the direction from which they came!

Language is a marvellous thing that we can all too easily throw about, but just as easily immediately exclude those ‘not in the know’, whether intentional or not.

What abbreviations or terminology baffled you when you first got into paddlesport or perhaps still do?

Do you think that we all provide a healthy environment where paddlers feel that they can question things that they are not certain of?

What do you do to help support the understanding and development of paddlers around this subject?

What can we all do to ensure that everyone understands what we are talking about, 100% of the time? Should it be this way or is this part of the learning processes for a newcomer?

Are there any areas of paddlesport from the ground up that you feel could be improved due to its current use of abbreviations or terminology?

Are you that newbie or still consider yourself a beginner in paddlesport? What has your experience been around this subject? What and/or who has guided you in your learning, awareness and understanding of the language of paddlesport?

SUP Glossary image thanks to Green Watersports