Forums > Stand Up Paddle General

Getting Started

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Created by Souwester > 9 months ago, 10 Dec 2016
Souwester
WA, 1255 posts
10 Dec 2016 3:03PM
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Have made the decision to commit to the SUP surfing this summer, hard to do when there is a few boards in the garage and I could easily grab a prone board to get a fix!

I have a 10x30 Vex Pro and have been enjoying getting acquainted with it, has been a steep learning curve in the waves but feel like my balance is improving and I am slowly getting the hang of catching waves.

Being a learner I have been paddling out the back of the beach break and scouting clear sections of beach so I can play around with out getting in anyones way, I don't really fancy throwing around a 10 foot board in a crowd!

One question that I wanted to throw out there is should I be learning how to paddle surf stance? Watched a bloke doing it today and he was getting a lot lower and weight forward making getting the waves easier, it just looked like it was the way to go.

I forgot to add in the side bites and was turning too sharp this morning having only a smallish single fin in the fin box, next time will add the sidelights in


Area10
1508 posts
10 Dec 2016 3:44PM
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At the point where you are just about to catch the wave, most people are in a surf-stance position. How early you move from parallel stance to surf stance is up to you, and depends on multiple factors including the board you are on and the conditions. I mostly paddle pretty much anything in a slightly offset stance these days.

colas
4986 posts
10 Dec 2016 4:21PM
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I think at your level the main issue it to learn the proper paddling technique. For this I advise to look at tutorials on flat water SUP paddling and alternate sessions in the waves with sessions on the flat where you try to understand what were your problems in the waves (too much row, not enough paddling power, working on the stance, quick U-turns).
For instance I spent once 30mn paddling while changing hands between each stroke, this session "dialed in" the changing of hands technique for good.

You should not paddle in a true surf stance, you wont have any balance nor paddling power. Only the pros manage it properly. It is more a "fencing" stance(*), but you should not bother with it on a 10' board, just learn the paddling technique with parallel feet. Once mastered, in some months, you will be able to stagger your feet progressively, as you will find it does not feel natural and takes time.

(*) www.gong-galaxy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1623&start=0

Souwester
WA, 1255 posts
10 Dec 2016 6:38PM
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Solid advice Colas, thanks for the reply!

supthecreek
2583 posts
10 Dec 2016 8:25PM
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The hardest thing for me, as a beginner,was not falling over backwards when I caught the wave. (at I fell at least 100 times my 1st day)

I overcame that by going into, what I call, a "modified" surf stance.

My front foot stays in the "parallel" stance position, but I move it just slightly forward..... probably have my heel even with the middle of the handle.
My back foot slides about 6 to 8" back, and I turn my toes out slightly toward the rail (at about the 2:oclock position)

You can learn it right now..... on the desk.
Put both hands flat on the desk in the "parallel" position.....move your right hand back a bit and out to the right.... that's what it looks like (for a regular foot)

This stance gives me "fore & aft" stability to handle the "lift" of the wave, when dropping in,
and the "side to side" stability for easy paddling.

To catch waves, I always face out to sea while waiting.
(I prefer paddling into a wave with my paddle on the left side)
So, when a wave comes, I start paddling on the left side, turning shoreward as I paddle up to speed...
I time my turn towards the beach, to arrive in proper takeoff position, just as the wave reaches me..... that way I never have to switch paddle sides.

As the wave lifts the tail, I lean more on my front foot and dig a bit harder... that gets my body in the proper position to handle the drop.

You will get used to the "dropping in" part of the process very quickly... then it's just surfing, which you already know.
The paddle will make itself known, down the road a bit..... that's when you'll really feel the beauty of this sport.

Enjoy the process of learning.. the discovery of a totally new way to enjoy the waves (and flat-water) is amazing!

Suporator
NSW, 44 posts
12 Dec 2016 1:47PM
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Select to expand quote
supthecreek said..
The hardest thing for me, as a beginner,was not falling over backwards when I caught the wave. (at I fell at least 100 times my 1st day)

I overcame that by going into, what I call, a "modified" surf stance.

My front foot stays in the "parallel" stance position, but I move it just slightly forward..... probably have my heel even with the middle of the handle.
My back foot slides about 6 to 8" back, and I turn my toes out slightly toward the rail (at about the 2:oclock position)

You can learn it right now..... on the desk.
Put both hands flat on the desk in the "parallel" position.....move your right hand back a bit and out to the right.... that's what it looks like (for a regular foot)

This stance gives me "fore & aft" stability to handle the "lift" of the wave, when dropping in,
and the "side to side" stability for easy paddling.

To catch waves, I always face out to sea while waiting.
(I prefer paddling into a wave with my paddle on the left side)
So, when a wave comes, I start paddling on the left side, turning shoreward as I paddle up to speed...
I time my turn towards the beach, to arrive in proper takeoff position, just as the wave reaches me..... that way I never have to switch paddle sides.

As the wave lifts the tail, I lean more on my front foot and dig a bit harder... that gets my body in the proper position to handle the drop.

You will get used to the "dropping in" part of the process very quickly... then it's just surfing, which you already know.
The paddle will make itself known, down the road a bit..... that's when you'll really feel the beauty of this sport.

Enjoy the process of learning.. the discovery of a totally new way to enjoy the waves (and flat-water) is amazing!


I agree with Supthecreek. By practicing this stance you get more used to standing with your feet staggered and this frees you from thinking too much about having to change your stance when taking off. Very helpful...



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"Getting Started" started by Souwester