O.K. I've been SUP'ing for about 16 months now at least a few times a week and have gone from unable to stand for more than a few minutes to now being able to standup indefinatly in choppy,windy conditions.Its not so much the fact that I've improved that interests me its the way it has happened.I was always getting a little better with the more experience but not leaps and bounds then one day I woke up and "BANG"I was paddling around like a champion,cutting off waves and paddling through choppy rips,turning surf stance to get over foamies and standing around out the back like I do at the bar sometimes.I've just recently experienced another explosive step forward and its got me thinking why?I've heard of sailors taking days or weeks before they get their sea legs and I couldn't help wondering if this is similar.From what I know the middle ear(semi circular canal)is what controls our balance and it takes time to adjust to certain conditions.Has anyone else experienced these miraculas bursts of improvment Im sure there's a few sailors out there that would understand my line of thought,any doctors or profesional trainers or anyone with any input into this I would love to read your thoughts.

kourgen said...

...your core and legs are getting conditioned and start to develop more. The more you sup or the more you use these muscles the easier it becomes.

Proprioceptors too.

see www.verywellfit.com/what-are-the-proprioceptors-3120368

I understand that the more I SUP the more my muscles,joints ect..will become acustom to the workload but I just couldn't help wondering about the middle ear and now these proprioceptors because I realy have noticed fast improvement twice now(It's like Microsurf Windows has sent me an upgrade in my sleep)..Anyway thanks for your coments.

gumballs said...

O.K. I've been SUP'ing for about 16 months now at least a few times a week and have gone from unable to stand for more than a few minutes to now being able to standup indefinatly in choppy,windy conditions.Its not so much the fact that I've improved that interests me its the way it has happened.I was always getting a little better with the more experience but not leaps and bounds then one day I woke up and "BANG"I was paddling around like a champion,cutting off waves and paddling through choppy rips,turning surf stance to get over foamies and standing around out the back like I do at the bar sometimes.I've just recently experienced another explosive step forward and its got me thinking why?I've heard of sailors taking days or weeks before they get their sea legs and I couldn't help wondering if this is similar.From what I know the middle ear(semi circular canal)is what controls our balance and it takes time to adjust to certain conditions.Has anyone else experienced these miraculas bursts of improvment Im sure there's a few sailors out there that would understand my line of thought,any doctors or profesional trainers or anyone with any input into this I would love to read your thoughts.

Hey Gumballs
My experience is very similar to yours and the timeframe also. These days i'm jumping in to cool off
I have no definitive answers but I think its a combination of things.
One of my paddle partners talks about muscle memory, I guess this is the same as learning to ride a bike.
Practice makes perfect.
If you're like me you have probably changed or added to the equipment which I think has had a big impact on stability in the line-up. My first SUP was big and difficult to manoeuvre and this led to lots of falling off, but now I ride shorter, more manageable boards.
I guess another factor is learning what to expect from the board in different circumstances ie. chop/waves hitting from different directions.
I've been doing DWs for a few months now and I reckon this has helped dramatically with general stability in the surf.
When i'm not paddling i'm thinking about it, I wonder if this helps

Sweden said...

Balance relay on more than just the output from the balance organ (semicircular canals and otolith organs) e.g vision, proprioception, sensation and in a way, muscle strength.

People who, for some reason, loss their function in the balance organ will initially have big problems keeping their balance and can't walk without holding on to something. However, after rehabilitation and years of training, they restore the ability to keep balance. The function of the balance organ is forever gone, but vision, proprioception etc gain in function. Usually, they cant walk in darkness, becource lack of vision.

The function in your middle ear has probably not gained in function, but instead your other senses.

This is totally non-scientific, but one way i think will improve balance is to paddle with the eyes closed.

Paddle with eyes closed and visualize all the horrorfied looks on the shortboarders faces...

Or in my case wear a shirt which says..."VISION IMPAIRED PERSON"

gumballs said...

Sweden said...

Balance relay on more than just the output from the balance organ (semicircular canals and otolith organs) e.g vision, proprioception, sensation and in a way, muscle strength.

People who, for some reason, loss their function in the balance organ will initially have big problems keeping their balance and can't walk without holding on to something. However, after rehabilitation and years of training, they restore the ability to keep balance. The function of the balance organ is forever gone, but vision, proprioception etc gain in function. Usually, they cant walk in darkness, becource lack of vision.

The function in your middle ear has probably not gained in function, but instead your other senses.

This is totally non-scientific, but one way i think will improve balance is to paddle with the eyes closed.

Paddle with eyes closed and visualize all the horrorfied looks on the shortboarders faces...

Maybe i need to get a guide dog and train it to surf with me!!!

gumballs said...

O.K. I've been SUP'ing for about 16 months now at least a few times a week and have gone from unable to stand for more than a few minutes to now being able to standup indefinatly in choppy,windy conditions.Its not so much the fact that I've improved that interests me its the way it has happened.I was always getting a little better with the more experience but not leaps and bounds then one day I woke up and "BANG"I was paddling around like a champion,cutting off waves and paddling through choppy rips,turning surf stance to get over foamies and standing around out the back like I do at the bar sometimes.I've just recently experienced another explosive step forward and its got me thinking why?I've heard of sailors taking days or weeks before they get their sea legs and I couldn't help wondering if this is similar.From what I know the middle ear(semi circular canal)is what controls our balance and it takes time to adjust to certain conditions.Has anyone else experienced these miraculas bursts of improvment Im sure there's a few sailors out there that would understand my line of thought,any doctors or profesional trainers or anyone with any input into this I would love to read your thoughts.

Will let you know in a months time when I'm allowed back on the water. Having surgery this week on Exostoses, and also having a prothesis fitted in middle ear as well as a eardrum graft. I could be back to being a kook again.