Hey guys,

I need some advice - I've seen different paddling techniques - some people bend their knees and tip their hips forward - mostly seen on racing keeping their back pretty straight - some just bend from the waist - as I think I do when surfing as I forget about technique and am just focused on catching the wave- some lock in their core and just use their arms- push pull type thing....what's best - and should you feel loose around the core or lock it in ....I think I'm tensing my core too much....

I suffer from a bad back and had surgery on L5si, when it flares up I find paddling aggrivates it more - anyone offer up the best was to to padddle for your back, - any vids would be great as I have looked on utube but can't find one.....

I surf with a paddle that's 7 inches above my head.

Thanks

Rob

7" over head is one thing but how wide is the blade?

I've noticed that a lot of people paddling with too big a blade swing their hips as they try and pull the blade through the water.. That can't be good for your back.

Also 7" overhead means nothing without knowing what your build is.. what your board is.. and also what conditions you paddle in.. There's so much to it.

There's also one technique for cruising along and another for paddling hard.. and yet another for paddling really hard.. and they all vary.

I'm thinking locking your body still and just using arm is not so good.. but also bending over with each stroke to fully dip your blade is also not so good.

Also how you remove the paddle from the water and get it back to the start of the stroke varies so much with different people.. and that can effect your back.

My thoughts on what's right and what's wrong keeps changing and I'm no expert but right now I'm thinking small circles with your top hand is the way to go rather than just drop your top hand causing a much bigger rotation of your top arm.

There also need to be some bending forward during the power part of the stroke like you're trying to push a fence over but soon after the pushing/punching part start straightening your back and don't continue bending forward.

I think there also needs to be a little knee bending going on depending if you're just cruising along or paddling hard.

Also a little twisting of your upper body as you go through the push/punching part of the stroke helps with the power without loading your lower back.

Paul (PT Woody) and Rea (REA7) and myself are working on a DVD that's all about SUP.. and we hope to have some paddling technique stuff in it.

DJ

Shoki said...

Thanks,

I'm 96kg 6' tall. Mostly surfing - 95% of the time with a 9'6" Naish - just come dwon from an 11'4".

I'll take your adice DJ and practice the smaller top hand move - I reckon I am taking too bigger strokes and digging the paddel too deep - I've a carbon Oxbow...no idea what type but its got their 'flower' type emblem on it - standard carbon one I think.

The Carbon Oxbow paddle with Red Emblem on it, is 9inch blade.

XX angie

Ngahina said...

There is always sizes and widths that people will recommend but it is a personal thing that you will have to work on to find out that is best for you. If you can get the use of an adjustable paddle to get the height that suits you would be best.

Found some great advice on the Noosa Beach Boys Site

nsupa.blogspot.com/

nsupa.blogspot.com/2010/02/paddle-tips-101.html

A big thing that I have noticed with all the different paddling styles is that some people (beginners poorly instructed paddlers) paddle past there feet and most of the more experience & faster paddlers stop at there feet.

Wow - I am certainly paddling past my feet - noone has ever picked me up on that and I've never heard / seen that before - is thios best practice then - to stop l;evel with your feet? That'll stop me from twisting too much....

Thanks !!!! I shall try it out....

the message from the oc crew we know and not one differing opinion is, it is of no use your bottom hand going any further than your waist. it's how you take your paddle out of the water that seems to be their focus
cheers

i reckon going past your feet on a reasonable down winder is asking for the paddle to pull you off the board. 8 times out of ten that would be why i fall off. it's hard not to do sometimes. think about it, there is zero control from behind your feet in a straight on stance. when you drag the paddle back behind to turn at a slow speed you can feel the pull of the paddle. imagine what happens on a big down wind run
cheers

Once you go past your feet you start lifting water with your blade therefore forcing more down on your stance and compressing the board into the water. waterline and rail wrap is increased during this part of the stroke and will slow the board movement thru the water due to the increase resistance.

Rail wrap is the amount of water wrapping around the rails of your board. The dimensions on your board may state 30" wide but with a large amount of water wrapping around your rails the board will paddle with a resistance of a 35" board......

Here's what I think about paddling past your feet.

IMO there are three main types of paddling.

1.. Leisurely cruising along.. This type of paddling can be maintained all day.

2.. Paddling hard.. as in racing or at a fast pace (down-winders etc).. This type of paddling can be maintained for about an hour.. more if you train.

3.. Sprinting.. as in the start of a race.. overtaking.. paddling for a wave or runner.. This type of paddling can be maintained for only a few minutes.. maybe even just seconds.. more if you train hard.

The first one is when you dip the paddle at a comfortable reach without bending and pull back about the same distance past your feet (it's usually when your lower hand reaches your hip).. It's what learners do and what I do when I'm just cruising along chatting with friends as we paddle.

The second one is what most people refer to as 'correct tecnique'.. Twist and reach forward bending at the waist and bending your knees as you stroke and removing the paddle when it gets to your feet if not slightly before.

The third is when you lean way forward and spear the paddle in at full reach and pull the paddle out well before your feet and use your lower hand to lift the blade out of the water and straight forward rather than out and around.. This stroke works great for getting onto a runner and staying on one.. also when you want to put that extra effort onto passing someone in a race.

To use the second or third technique when just cruising along would look pretty stupid and not neccessory.. also using the first technique when racing or sprinting will not work so well and will not be as fast.

So how you paddle depends alot on the circumstances of when you're paddling.. I hope all this makes sense.. .. I'm not saying I'm right about all this.. I'd love to hear what others think about it.

DJ

DavidJohn said...

Here's what I think about paddling past your feet.

IOM there are three main types of paddling.

1.. Leasurly cruising along.. This type of paddling can be maintained all day.

2.. Paddling hard.. as in racing or at a fast pace (down-winders etc).. This type of paddling can be maintained for about an hour.. more if you train.

3.. Sprinting.. as in the start of a race.. overtaking.. paddling for a wave or runner.. This type of paddling can be maintained for only a few minutes.. maybe even just seconds.. more if you train hard.

The first one is when you dip the paddle at a comfortable reach without bending and pull back about the same distance past your feet (it's usually when your lower hand reaches your hip).. It's what learners do and what I do when I'm just cruising along chatting with friends as we paddle.

The second one is what most people refer to as 'correct tecnique'.. Twist and reach forward bending at the waist and bending your knees as you stroke and removing the paddle when it gets to your feet if not slightly before.

The third is when you lean way forward and spear the paddle in at full reach and pull the paddle out well before your feet and use your lower hand to lift the blade out of the water and straight forward rather than out and around.. This stroke works great for getting onto a runner and staying on one.. also when you want to put that extra effort onto passing someone in a race.

To use the second or third tecnique when just cruising along would look pretty stupid imo and not neccessory.. also using the first tecnique when racing or sprinting will not work so well.

So how you paddle depends alot on the surcumstances of when you're paddling.. I hope all this makes sense.. .. I'm not saying I'm right about all this.. I'd love to hear what others think about it.

DJ

well written dj. i work on where my hand finishes the paddle stroke in relation to my body, not some much i must pull the paddle out now.

Shoki said...

Tried not going past my feet, great result - felt my obliques kicking in and a lot less back pain after the session,

thanks for the advice guys

G'day Shoki
Well done once you've get your techniques right you will be less fatigued your board will have much more glide with every stroke thats why I can use the BIG 10inch blade (go hard)