strong side paddle into wave

[Paddle On]

i am goofy foot and paddle into 98% of waves clockwise, paddle on my left side. but, there are many times it would be advantages to paddle in counter clockwise, paddle on my right, but i cant seam to learn this. any tricks or hints? or just need to put in my time?

[supsurf-tw]

I used to have that problem when I was learning.The issue was the habit of leaning on the frontside rail but paddling on the backside. Just lean on the backside rail when paddling into the wave

[WhatsSUP]

PD:  Interesting.....completely opposite here!  I too am a goofy and find 98% of my paddle (into waves) to come from by right side (spin counter-clockwise to catch).  I feel very comfy going backside although I'd prefer to face left (towards the beach) to ride frontside....amd its a struggle....go figure!

I'm a bit of a whack thou.....I've alway been the one in grade school to walk up to the chalk board and fumble and bumble with which hand to pick up the chalk....okay, they probably don't even use chalk anymore but you get the point!

 

[supthecreek]

I am regular foot and right handed

Flatwater or racing:
I paddle much more on my right side. My technique is better, I can paddle endlessly on one side becasue my right foot is smarter and can "work" the rail to keep me going straight.

However....

Surfing:
Catching a wave, I am almost 100% on the left side.
I really have a hard time catching a wave with my paddle on the right

I figure the reason is that, when paddling for a wave, I split my stance a little and weight forward on my left leg.
It is easier for me to "drive" forward on my left side

(time out...I am searching some videos.....)

ahhhhh.... ha ha, I just found some "board mounted cam" video for examples and clearly see the reason!


Left side, I stack my hands perfectly because I rotate well to the left side, leg forward (pic #1 - 3)

Right side, because I still "drive" onto the left leg, I am still rotating to the left, so I can't stack properly and paddle with a weak "cross chest" sweep on the right  (pic 4 & 5)

an "ah ha" moment 

I am totally comfortable with left side..... I simply begin paddling with my board aimed towards the left side of the wave and let my paddling swing me around just as the wave gets to me.... then I stay on my left side by weighting my feet as necessary until I am fully engaged in the wave.

it sometimes makes for an interesting paddle switch, while free falling on a late takeoff
(pic a1 - a5)

[PonoBill]

If you can keep your technique good when going for a wave you can paddle on either side. Unfortunately most people can't, so you do the second best thing, which is change sides or start with a different angle. Probably better to work on technique and keep the shaft vertical and the blade half under the board, sunk deep. Then you won't be turning when you don't want to.

[RATbeachrider]

On waist high and smaller waves and on the 9'0 nose riding SUP, I don't have a problem with paddling and catching wave on the weak side (being regular foot surfer and paddling on the left).

However, on the smaller 7'7 board, with the staggered stance and paddling on the weak side, I found myself always late dropping down the face and\or setting the rail, due to the fact that I've to move the paddle, arms, shoulder and body to the right.  I should practice paddling the weak side more.

[surfcowboy]

I've been practicing this a bit lately too. I think it's mostly just what you start with. I hate being off balance and I've found that the fix is just time and trying it over and over.

[Subber]

I would practice on both sides in flat water or while you are waiting for waves.

Hadn't thought much about it but I seem to paddle in on either side - just depends upon the wave (and the crowd).
At my current spot, the waves wrap to the left...so I like to take off going left and then go right.
Sometimes I will switch paddle sides as I'm taking off. 

At my old spot, the waves would break either direction depending.  So, I guess I got practice on both sides.

When it was blown out or no surf, I did, early on, very often, practice turning each direction on flat water.

[SlatchJim]

Apparently I'm ambidextrous. I can blow a take off while paddling on either side of the board.   

[hefwiezen16]

Same here, Goofy and most comfortable taking off while paddling on the left side; I used to fall 8 out of 10 times while paddling on the right side.   I brought this up in a Candice/Vela clinic.  They told me to keep practicing.  OOOOO...K?    Then a longboarder friend of mine told me to make sure that I'm not weighting my right rail while I'm paddling.   BINGO!     I'm still more comfotable paddling left side, but now I know what to NOT do.

[Night Wing]

@supthecreek

I especially enjoy reading your comments in this thread. Combined with your series of photographs, I plan on putting them to good use when my new sup arrives.

[Ichabod Spoonbill]

I agree with Wing. I'm goofy footed too, and his comments will be very useful.

[Paddle On]

i am goofy and practices paddling on the right, i def am not as fast and cant get the last bit of umph i can on my left. so i paddled on the right and just switch to the left at the last moment. also a buddy of mine gave me invaluable feed back............look where i want to go, sounds so simple but it really helped me. i started looking to the right and it was easy to catch the wave and head down the line.

now to practice in larger waves, come on big south swell.............

[Paddle On]

i am goofy and left is my strong side, i practiced paddling on the right, i def am not as fast and cant get the last bit of umph i can on my left. so i paddled on the right and just switch to the left at the last moment. also a buddy of mine gave me invaluable feed back............look where i want to go, sounds so simple but it really helped me. i started looking to the right and it was easy to catch the wave and head down the line.

now to practice in larger waves, come on big south swell.............

[sup_surf_giant]

Apparently I'm ambidextrous. I can blow a take off while paddling on either side of the board.   

Haha! Ain't that more often than not the truth. =)

I've forced myself to become proficient at paddling in on either side of my board. The learning curve is lengthy but seems to pay off well in late-decision waves and crowded line-ups.