Hi all
Just wanted to ask if perhaps I am doing something wrong or if I can place my fins better or if I just keep doing what I am doing.
Ok I know I am new but! When I start to paddle out and put a bit more into a paddle my 10" Mana will change direction dramatically even when I have some speed up. My question is, will placing my Center Fin further back help tracking and reduce the amount of direction change?
i understand that at 10" it will not track as straight as a 10"6' and I need to change sides more often however I am almost zig zagging my way from point A to point B, is that just the way it is, if so that's fine OR can I improve what I am doing and use fin placement to help?
Now I do know that on a Surf board that would slow your turns on a wave but I am on flat water with a slight swell so perhaps the same rules don't apply due to the lack of speed compared to catching a wave.

Any good advise is always welcome

tomooh said..
moving your fin back will help also a bigger fin or even 3 fins instead of 1, will also make the board more stable, if you are zig zagging a lot it may be your paddle technique, keep the paddle close to the rail of the board and try a j stroke ie pull the paddle towards the rail at the beginning of the stroke , you can paddle straight from 1 side of the board with the right technique.

Thanks, I have 3 fins I will look at a larger center one and certainly give the J stroke a shot!!

Towny said..
If you got a 2+1 fin set up, put a 9-10 inch centre fin, that'll help and as above comment stated you can adjust your stroke to help too.

Thanks I will look at some during the week ready for next weekend!

Try keeping your paddle shaft as vertical as possible through the stroke. Feels a little odd at first but it definitely helps lessen the yaw/row effect. Also, as you progress, try moving a little more weight to the foot on the side you're paddling on - this puts more of the curved rocker/rail of the board into the water which will make the board want to turn on that curve if that makes sense? I asked the same thing when I was starting out, also on a 10' Mana. Works a treat for me! Good luck and get out there & practice!

burleighlocal said..
What you need is practice - paddle control and a good J stroke will come with more practice. Changing fins at your level will do nothing..you just need to get on the water and paddle..the more paddling the better control. It really is this simple!.

Ok thanks!

cantSUPenough said..

roscoe1974 said..
Try keeping your paddle shaft as vertical as possible through the stroke. Feels a little odd at first but it definitely helps lessen the yaw/row effect. Also, as you progress, try moving a little more weight to the foot on the side you're paddling on - this puts more of the the rocker of the board into the water which will make the board want to turn on that curve if that makes sense?

+1

Keep your paddle vertical and you will paddle straight. Pull your paddle in a straight line parallel to the direction you want to go. Add some "J" (pull the paddle towards the board at the start of the stroke) for even better results. And lastly, pull your board past the paddle, don't pull the paddle through the water (once you have some speed).

With practice, on a board that size, you should be able to do 20+ strokes on one side before you need to change sides.

Excellent tips from everyone, thanks cantSUPenough

A lot of it can be in your stance too.

You will learn you can counter a lot simply by steering with your weight and feet working in tandem with your paddling technique

But that takes some practise and time.

roscoe1974 said..

roscoe1974 said...
Try keeping your paddle shaft as vertical as possible through the stroke. Feels a little odd at first but it definitely helps lessen the yaw/row effect. Also, as you progress, try moving a little more weight to the foot on the side you're paddling on - this puts more of the curved rocker/rail of the board into the water which will make the board want to turn on that curve if that makes sense? I asked the same thing when I was startingout, also on a 10' Mana. Works a treat for me! Good luck and get out there & practice!

As you could imagine re. this pic - if the SUPer were to put more weight on the heel side, the rocker of the board would create a parabolic arc to an extent, and the board would tend to turn to starboard. Same principle applies when paddling straight - if your board has rocker (and the Mana does), if you dip one side it will want to steer in that direction. That will counter the 'push' from the paddle wanting to send you the other way. As Lacey mentioned, it's purely practice and technique. Straight paddle helps exponentially too, my friend!! Happy paddling!

Great Rosco thanks, I will practice next weekend hopefully!

Just a little update on my paddling problems. Of course there were almost no winds today and of course I had to work and the sun was shining and I had a peek at the water and it looked great!! So what to do, work or take the afternoon off and go for a paddle???? Of course I took the afternoon off got my girlfriend and headed to the bay and it was so much worth it and naturally better than working!!
Tried the J paddle and in a little wind chop that did pop up from time to time it made no difference, BUT in very still flat water it did help track better. I shifted my weight as suggested, kept the paddle more upright and kept the strokes shorter, i was going way past my knee in the stroke last week, and tracking was soo much better. I even tried a stroke I saw in a video where you keep your hands the same and just swap sides, feels a little unusual but it worked a treat and adds something different.
The flat water was great to practice moving the board in all directions, sideways, backward, etc and doing circles was a bit of fun and made me a lot more comfortable all round. I also discovered that a head wind is harder to paddle through than I thought which was a valuable lesson if a strong wind comes up quickly, it was not a strong wind by any means but I had no idea the board would be affected by wind quite as much.

All in all a very productive afternoon and well on the way to building more confidence, bring on more of the good weather I am so glad to be back in the ocean!!

As everyone has already stated, the tracking is due to have a more wave orientated board than a gliding board. Exactly the same problem my wife complained about with her 10' 5" widepoint. So I put in a nice 10" dolphin shaped fin and set it way back, she is so much happier. Still doesn't track as well as my Nalu, but a vast improvement.