Hi all,
I've noticed while viewing SUP video's that most of the guys that are ripping actually use their paddle whilst turning.

Up until now I've only surfed waves the traditional way. (still on L plates )

What are the pro & con's in this technique?

Ian

Surely Ian, you have leant on it whilst doing a tight bottom turn
The paddle Is a great bonus

For me, as a shortboard surfer, using the paddle to crank a turn is the essence of SUP-otherwise I night as well ride a mal.

I try to use the paddle heaps-switching it from bottom turn to top turn/or cutback and using it to pivot around-it's amazing the amount of torque you can get using the paddle compared to conventional surfing.

Just wish I had a board to ride-my Naish saga continues......

My wife uses her paddle to hit me when I ACCIDENTLY drop in on her.
I use my paddle as a prop when turning. The faster you are going the more weight the paddle can support. So when doing a mach one 'larry layback' like Robdogs young bloke, that paddle can feel like it's supporting most of your weight. Next best thing to a walking frame.
While on the subject, how come I put my paddle to the inside and cut back around it while everybody else puts it outside them and cut back the other way.
Maybe just a short fat bloke thing.

I agree with matt Loco, mide as well ride a mal if you dont use the paddle. i reckon the kids will really rip later because they will have to use the paddle to initiate the turn and to pull it thru. As someone else said i think, this started out with big boards so a paddle was needed. You really can jam all kinds of turns using it. Just go for it Bro you'll love the feeling.
Patiently waiting for my surfshapes

I agree. Using the paddle helps turn tighter.
What I dont like seeing is people paddling while
surfing, either to go faster or make a section.
Its just my opinion, and it might start a discussion
but I prefer to see surfing just using the waves power
How you catch the wave is anybodys business, but
I reckon "GO WITH THE FLOW". Am I the only one who
agrees?

mollydooka said...


Nope. If you can use the paddle to make a section, why wouldn't you

I agree might as well ride a longboard if you do not use the paddle. The extra speed you can generate is what makes crap waves fun again.

Thought this might spark some comment Lol.
Its purely my opinion I like to see more soul
in surfing.... Just making the comment.
I've seen some guys going crazy (eggbeaters)
trying to surf on some waves. I guess i just
prefer the layed back approach, If i miss it
I will get the next one. Heheheheh!
Other comments about "may as well ride a Mal"
isnt that what we are doing anyway?

X2 ??? Damn windows machines

planesailing said...


Other comments about "may as well ride a Mal"
isnt that what we are doing anyway?

No, that's what you're doing. Hilly, Loco, yours truly & the vast majority of paddle-surfers out there use our paddles to generate speed on the wave, make it through fat sections, cut-back, etc etc. I've just come back from a 3-hour session. As it was small the paddle got a real workout, & I don't "eggbeat".
But each to their own. If you prefer riding your sup like a mal, go for it. It's all about having fun, & everyone's got a different style. Very expensive "mal" though

you can still have plenty of style with a paddle.
It Is Stand UP "PAddle" Boarding isnt it??
I think if you've got style when you surf it will ultimately cross over to your SUP.
Sometimes i cant believe well you know what i mean

Hi Ian,
everyone goes thru this stage. Your not really sure of what to do with the paddle on the wave or how to do it.

The basic bottom turn is pretty simple, but takes a bit of practice and that really is the secret, practice, pratice.

For bottom turns all the answers are the same, put the paddle onto the face of the wave and lean on it and you will pivot around it. Later on as you get better you can slide the paddle and control the amount of power you use.

Just remember that the BACK of the paddle is used for bottom turning. For this reason I prefer to use a 10 degree blade rather than the standard 12 degrees. 10 degrees slides much better when your trying to control the power and doesn't dig into the wave fave as deep.

When it comes to cut backs, going from a forehand bottom turn to a backhand turn, there are three ways to do this.

The way I prefer is to push off the lip at the nose of my board with the front of my blade. I do this because this way does not twist my back too much and I get to keep the paddle on the inside of my board at all times, I have a chronic back injury and hate twisting my toprso too much, it hurts.

There is another way that lets you keep the paddle on the inside of your board at all times but causes you to twist your back. What you do is dig the paddle into the wave on your inside rail but behind your body and pivot off this.

The 3rd way is to put your paddle onto the outside of your rail and behind your body and pull / pivot yourself around the paddle. You have to then switch the paddle back to the inside of your board for the next bottom turn. This way really torques you torso and I don't use it at all. This method is also the prefered method for cutting back when you are surfing back hand and is really easy to do and does not cause too much twisting. I call this the pull cutback and is the opposite of the push cut back that I use all the time.

Bit of a novel, but I hope this makes things clearer.

I had to copy to my clip board to answer this post the modem dropped out again, the usual expletive deletives.

Rod