So I took possession of the Starboard K-15 a couple of weeks ago and it's taken 3 or 4 downwind runs to really get the hang of it. Steep learning curve, but what a brilliant board. Not that I'm particularly proficient now or even competent, but hopefully less dangerous to myself and anyone in the vicinity (check out the cut to the forehead and the nasty ankle sprain!)

Anyhow, if anyone has some advice or pointers going forward, that would be most gratefully received. Just remember, if you have to be cruel to be kind, make sure it's in the right measure.

Thanks Lacey, great tips, much obliged.

Hey Woody,

Just to add to Lacey's comments, which I think are constructive.

Do you think your paddle is the right length? It looks like it could be a bit short as you seem to look a little hunched over - maybe that's the camera angle messing with me.

Others may disagree on paddle technique, but I think you should be pushing a little more with your top arm. It looks like you are pulling much more with your lower arm.

being hunched over is part of not tensing up and being relaxed. it took me a while to get this.it's a practiced art to stroke the blade and have the upper body relaxed and in a nice neutral position and let the lower body do all the balancing work. very much the same as snow skiing in that regards

a good trick is to keep is to keep checking -are my shoulders up around my ears or are they just sitting down and relaxed
cheers

Hey Paul, one thing I noticed from the video is you're not using the paddle to balance yourself. You can stop yourself falling in a lot of the time if you use the resistance of the blade against the water either pulling up or pushing down.
I always keep the blade close to the water when I'm not stroking so I can quickly lean my weight on it if I need to.
Nice work with the video.

Hey PT,

Man it looks cold down there!!! That's really made me think, " i wouldn't want to fall in" LOL
It looks like you are starting to get the hang of it all. I've never been on that downwind sup but i can tell you what i know.
On my 14ft naish glide, the further back you go when on a runner the better the board goes. You really must work on getting in your surf stance and walking around on your sup. This will not only help your balance but it will prob help you stay on the runners longer aswell.
I def try to get as much blade in the water as i can. I do this by reaching very far forward (i have a mark on my 14ft where i know i should enter the paddle) but i never go past my hip.
It's all about getting the feeling of the bumps and knowing when to paddle hard and when not to paddle at all.

Strange as it seems, the less i paddle the faster i go. It's very true, after watching the hawaiian's on the maliko run, i learnt alot!!

Be realxed and have fun mate. It will all come together for you soon.

XX angie

I agree with Angies point about walking around. When you're trying to catch a runner you should be up closer to the nose of the board. When you feel yourself take off its time to take a few steps back. To maintain a good speed you should be walking back and forth all the time.

"If you check out DJ's vids you will see him do that often when he over balances."

Doh!.. I knew I should'a cut those bits out on my vids..

Yeah.. I can't paddle for more than five minutes without doing a balance check with my paddle.

It's like a training wheel and I use it all the time..

DJ