WA
725 posts
Snuck away from the desk after dropping the kids off at school this a.m. and drove for 45 mins south to a beach break - only to find HH closing out - couple of hours too late. Damn. Oh well, gave it a go anyway, as you do.
Couldn't cope with the whitewater though. Anything higher than about 2.5 feet coming at me and I'm in the water, the tanker out of control. Then its trouble - never gunna make it out past the breaking zone doing that.
So what is a reasonable expectation for busting out through the whitewater. How big? Is it easier on a smaller board? Pointy nose make much difference?
Interested to know what the athletes can do.
VIC
5126 posts
When you're beginning try kneeling when you paddle out. As the wave hits give a hard stroke or two and put your weight back a bit and press down with your feet to get the nose up and ride over the whitewater.
When you get the hang of things try it standing. Take a step back on the board to get your weight back and to bring the nose up. I find it easier in normal stance (feet side by side). The videos talk about using surf stance and possibly dropping to one knee to stabilise.
WA
725 posts
PS. Further down in that thread ^ there is a photo of climbing the whitewater - looks like 4' plus is possible.
QLD
44 posts
Not sure how you are tackling the waves but I started SUP surfing about May...no expert or athlete but have progressed from laying down with the paddle under my chest to kneeling on the back of the board to standing in the surfing stance when paddling thru the white water...In the begining (laying down and kneeling) i seemed to get smashed even by small amounts of white water but since standing up I have been amazed at how well the board cuts thru the foam...maybe because only your legs are in the wave impact area ?? two to three feet is about the best i have done on a 11.6....also i normally look for an elevator for a free ride out the back.
