Some sports it’s the norm to have lessons, even when your are at an advanced level, golf, tennis etc. But with surfing and it seems SUP apart from the absolute beginner stage, it seems the only way is to teach ourselves, trial, error and practice

Surfed all my life, been playing on a SUP for only a few months. Enjoying it immensely because so much to learn and each time I go out I seem to pick up something new which gives me an addictive sense of accomplishment.

So for the competent guys this is irrelevant but for the for the newbie’s like me here are a few of the things that I picked up from reading forums or found out myself that have made a big difference to skill and hence enjoyment.

Okay now at paddling out standing up when it’s small, but still find it quicker to paddle out prone when it’s got some size. Found it scary/painful when I am paddling up a largish wave as it pitches and getting launched. Don’t want to get a paddle in the face so I hold the paddle with one hand and the rail with the other and as you can’t brace yourself I was getting slammed as I came down the back of the wave. I have now found that as I am coming down if I lift one rail quite sharply I then land on the rail rather than the flat of the board the landing is really soft! Even from a good height. Saves being winded or head butting the board.

When its choppy especially when I am getting tired I really concentrate on tensing my stomach muscles when I start to feel myself losing my balance and I regain composure fairly easily when before I was sinking a rail and sliding in.

Using small punch strokes as I move around the break when it’s choppy so I keep my weight more centered and don’t pull myself off my feet.

Don’t look down, I know everyone knows it, but even though I am getting better I have to say it to myself all the time. Second nature now when paddling around but like when I flick off a wave for example or paddling hard to attach a wave I still find myself looking at the nose of the board. And often falling. When I look up I maintain my balance and can quickly turn to face the oncoming wave or set up a bottom turn with a lot more time.

So has anyone else got any tricks that they have taught themselves to improve their skill or found themselves making the same mistake and coming up with a way to fix it they can teach me?
Cheers

Hey bjhjames,

We take a bit of a different approach. The easiest way to improve is to watch video of what your doing and have someone coach you.

Tiger Woods has a coach, Michael Jordon etc etc. It amazes me that many in the surf industry stay with the old school ways.

We use radio helmets to talk to the girls as they surf on the wave. This allows us to tell them to get that foot further back or further over on the rail etc.

Lots of options it you have the balls to go after it.

Phill

I agree on the knees bit!

I am getting a few hours on the water every day, and general muscle soreness usually goes away the next day, but my knees are what hurt the most, especially after a long session when it’s choppy. I have read about people suffering shoulder pain, foot pain etc but not knees? I can’t sit on the floor cross legged without shooting pain through my knee joint. Going to have to find a specific stretch to get rid of it as they are so cramped up it’s an injury just waiting to happen.

The radio is a great idea, spent a month on Maui windsurfing in the 80,s and had a few advanced lessons where the instructor put a waterproof speaker on a strap on my arm and he sat on the beach and gave me instructions. Made a huge difference, can still remember him saying to put my weight on my toes and clench my butt cheeks, (thought it was suss but did help iron out the chop at speed!)
It any of the local guys or shops who are leading the sport want to make a $ on the side, buy a few radios and offer some group lessons for those who have got past the bunny stage, I will join in for sure.

mybrosweeper said...

Mateeeeeeee,

Lash out and buy yourself a lesson from an accredited instructor( like me as of last week lol). You will learn more with him in an hour than you will in 6 months on your own,
robBooOOoooOoo

good advice robbo. About 10 months into SUP, surfing out mona, ran into stuart. he gave me one piece of advice about where I was positioned on the board, and I could not believe how much of a difference it made..

So has anyone else got any tricks that they have taught themselves to improve their skill or found themselves making the same mistake and coming up with a way to fix it they can teach me?
Cheers

I hate to think how many waves i bailed on when i was starting out because the nose of the board dove and i thought i was gone for all money - you gotta hang in there and let the rocker do its thing- thats my best tip

lacey said...

just one clue, only go so far in trying to making a save from falling off.if one foot slips off, there is a fair chance of knee injury

Not to mention the family jewels
Cheers