So I'm standing up and quickly find that a J-stroke I learnt on canoe camp all those years ago doesn't work, probably due to the fins, but if I reach out far and wide, draw the stroke towards the bow, then follow through i can keep it in a straight line.
Are there any other strokes or techniques for keeping the SS Bloody huge going in a straight line? Is there a way of generating mass power without veering off line and presenting myself to the waves like a cat rolling in front of a pack of rabid dogs?

You sound like you might be a beginner .. or at least a bit more of a beginner than the rest of us.

The short answer is it just gets easier and better the more you do it.

Step one is to not worry too much about it. You will find your stroke adapts over time and you will work out a stroke that works fine to keep you going straight. Basically the J-stroke works ok and with a little bit of practice you will be able to combine the feathering action and a little wrist action to go straight.

When I started I went from swapping sides every couple of strokes to a diagonal paddle to a J-paddle to a twist on the catch.

You don't mention what kind of board you have. My Starboard 11'2" is very turny with the standard 8" surf fin. I added a 10" wide base flat water fin and now it tracks as straight as you could ever want. It's a huge improvement for flat water paddling. Even with a big fin and straight tracking board you still need to swap sides from time to time just to rest your muscles and share the load on your arms.

For wave catching I stand side-on waiting for waves then paddle hard as the wave approaches. I have usually completed the turn and I'm up to full speed when the wave arrives. I paddle stronger on my left so I try to time it so I start off on the left, give a few strokes on the right to maintain speed and direction then finish off with some power strokes on the left. Shortening the paddle has helped in waves because it is easier to swap sides and keep the power up.

With a bit more paddling experience I find I can paddle hard and throw in a little J-correction when going for waves.

If you watch the videos you see that most of the guys have a pretty natural paddling action. There's nothing extreme or tricky going on. I think they've just developed their paddling skills so that they can time the power strokes and go for it at the right time and swap sides when necessary.

KiteDevil said...


I ride a 10ft Oxbow and weigh 95kg, and yes I'm a beginner.

You are close to the limit on this board, it will be great fun in the surf once you get going, but it will make it difficult to start. It makes it even more important than normal to practice in flat water with no wind. You cannot get your stroke right while you are struggling for balance. When practicing, pick a fixed object and paddle towards it, you will see immediately how much each stroke pulls you off line, so you know when you are doing it right.

Steve

You can also sink a rail on one side to paddle straight just by paddling on one side only and pushing down more on one rail than the other

The J stroke does not work at all for SUP..So don't bother with it.

Keeping your hands stacked (one above the other) while paddling is the main thing.

Paddle deep so the blade goes under the board and swing the lower arm while pushing with the top.

Some boards turn more than others while paddling no matter how you paddle.

It really is amazing the difference a good paddle makes.

DJ

I'm not sure that little wiggle in the stroke is such a good idea (it's not nessesarry)..and I don't even think Bill uses it anymore.

I think a new person trying to do that will be banging the board all the time with the paddle.

DJ