Against the wind?

[Henrik F]

Hello!
I was out paddling today and it was almost as usual. Perhaps a bit more windy than what I'm used to but the wind came from the shore and the waves weren't higher than up to my knee. Very choppy though.
When paddling with the wind in my back it was a walk in the park. Fast and fun. But after paddling 2.5kilometers I turned and got the waves and the wind in my face.
That was the hardest 2.5 kilometers workout on my Surftech Bark Competitor ever.

I had no idea that the wind was so hard to fight. If I didn't paddle I went backwards.

To my question: Did I do anything wrong? In that case, suggestions and solutions?

PLEASE help me if there are any tricks! I will paddle more and train more but besides that?

Henrik F

[hbsteve]

Paddle into the wind first.  If there are reasons you can't go far in that direction, just do laps on windier days.  You'll still get a very good workout.  What you can handle will improve with expierence. 

[Henrik F]

Paddle into the wind first.  If there are reasons you can't go far in that direction, just do laps on windier days.  You'll still get a very good workout.  What you can handle will improve with expierence. 

Ok, I'll work on that!

Thanks

Henrik F

[h2oyoga]

Paddle into the wind first.  If there are reasons you can't go far in that direction, just do laps on windier days.  You'll still get a very good workout.  What you can handle will improve with expierence. 

hbsteve is right on.  Go into the wind first and coming back with the wind and waves behind you is exhillerating!   But, its hard to do in a different way since you have to keep your balance when the waves go under you.

[pdxmike]

There's often wind where I paddle.  I usually go into the wind first for safety, knowing I can always get back.  In the windiest conditions, it takes about half as long to get back as to go out. 

The Bark Competitor should be good for going into wind--way better than my Naish Glide, with it's big rocker that catches all wind and gets blown sideways if you don't keep the nose straight into the wind. 

Getting a fin that tracks really well is on my wish list. 

I see the smart paddlers get really low going into the wind to reduce their wind resistance and I've been trying that.

I find that paddling straight is hard work, but not hard for balancing.  Paddling at an angle into the wind is harder to stay balanced, and much harder on my legs because I'm trying to keep the board from being blown sideways.  Paddling with the wind coming diagonally from behind also is hard for me to balance.  So I've been forcing myself to do a lot of paddling zigzag into and out of the wind to work on that, and it is helping me improve a lot.

[susan]

I have the same problem. By the time I get up to the mountain lake an hour away, the wind has come up and I'm on my knees the whole time. Not fun! I've thought about getting there earlier, but the water and temp would probably be to cold. Is there a better way to have fun than on my knees? It defeats the whole point of SUP.

[Henrik F]

There's often wind where I paddle.  I usually go into the wind first for safety, knowing I can always get back.  In the windiest conditions, it takes about half as long to get back as to go out. 

The Bark Competitor should be good for going into wind--way better than my Naish Glide, with it's big rocker that catches all wind and gets blown sideways if you don't keep the nose straight into the wind. 

Getting a fin that tracks really well is on my wish list. 

I see the smart paddlers get really low going into the wind to reduce their wind resistance and I've been trying that.

I find that paddling straight is hard work, but not hard for balancing.  Paddling at an angle into the wind is harder to stay balanced, and much harder on my legs because I'm trying to keep the board from being blown sideways.  Paddling with the wind coming diagonally from behind also is hard for me to balance.  So I've been forcing myself to do a lot of paddling zigzag into and out of the wind to work on that, and it is helping me improve a lot.

I think you have described my problem really well. I'll keep on training and stay low when into the wind. I am also looking for a new fin and heard alot good stuff about Larry Allison's Ninja SUP Race fin. Anyone know anything about that one?

Thanks

Henrik F

[OC_SUP]

I have the same problem. By the time I get up to the mountain lake an hour away, the wind has come up and I'm on my knees the whole time. Not fun! I've thought about getting there earlier, but the water and temp would probably be to cold. Is there a better way to have fun than on my knees? It defeats the whole point of SUP.

I hear ya.  I've only been out on a SUP about 5 times, but yesterday was the first time I've encountered wind when trying to paddle out to Newport harbor from the Back Bay.  If I stood up, I'd be going backwards - even when paddling. (I'm assuming however, that a lot of it has to do with my technique or lack of, since I'm a complete newb).  In order to actually get to the harbor I had to paddle sitting down or on my knees.  If it wasn't for my son urging me on, I think I would have given up and headed back to the launch zone.  By the time I got to the harbor, I was kind of wasted.  Now I understand why SUP'g is a great workout.  The trip back was nice though, as the wind pushed me all the way back.  I didn't even need to paddle if I chose not to.

[susan]

I have the same problem. By the time I get up to the mountain lake an hour away, the wind has come up and I'm on my knees the whole time. Not fun! I've thought about getting there earlier, but the water and temp would probably be to cold. Is there a better way to have fun than on my knees? It defeats the whole point of SUP.

I hear ya.  I've only been out on a SUP about 5 times, but yesterday was the first time I've encountered wind when trying to paddle out to Newport harbor from the Back Bay.  If I stood up, I'd be going backwards - even when paddling. (I'm assuming however, that a lot of it has to do with my technique or lack of, since I'm a complete newb).  In order to actually get to the harbor I had to paddle sitting down or on my knees.  If it wasn't for my son urging me on, I think I would have given up and headed back to the launch zone.  By the time I got to the harbor, I was kind of wasted.  Now I understand why SUP'g is a great workout.  The trip back was nice though, as the wind pushed me all the way back.  I didn't even need to paddle if I chose not to.

[susan]

I totally get what you're saying, OC_SUP. Sometime I'll have to try Dana Point. I've heard the harbor is supposed to be good. I need to remember to paddle into the wind first and drift back to launch. I just haven't found the perfect launch for where I want to go yet in Big Bear.

[JillRide45]

Susan, at Big Bear you really can start very early.  Once the sun is up you will warm up fast on the lake.  After the Tahoe race we stayed for a few days to paddle around Tahoe.  We would launch around 7:30 at 40 degrees, just in shorts.  The sun up at altitude and on the water really warms you up.  So start as early as possible.  Also at Big Bear stay away from windy point!  You could launch at the North Boat launch and paddle back down toward the dam.  If the wind picks up turn around and ride the down winder. 

The trick I find with paddling into the wind is first make sure you have a small paddle blade.  You need to shorten your stroke and get as high of cadence as possible.  Also make a really fast switch and keep your knees bent during the switch.  Do not use the switch time as a break time as you will have to regain speed which will just wear you down. If you go to your knees, do it purposely.  You can make amazing time down on your knees if you choke up on the paddle and just keep paddling with a high cadence.   Finally do not let the wind get in your head. Enjoy the day, it is just another challenge you can overcome.

Cheers, Jill

[tahitijack]

I usually paddle out from Baby Beach at Dana Point.  The problem with starting at Baby Beach is that the wind usuially blows from north at Baby Beach to south down the marina or channel and out to the ocean.  You can see the flags on the Dana Point Yacht club waiving streight out most days.   So its almost impossible to start paddleing into the wind from Baby Beach.  I got a tast of this on Labor Day morning.  Aside from the race outriggers there were very few going out so, I launched from Baby Beach heading down the marina slipped into a side channel to have a look at a large yacht.  When I came out the wind had picked up a lot so I decided to head back to Baby Beach but into the strong wind that turned my board around when ever I stoped my paddle.  After paddling in place standing and on my knees for a few minutes I realized the best way back was to hit the deck, slip the paddle blade under my chest and "swim" my way back.  I was amazed at how fast my board glided along.    Whew, on the way back a large yacht drifted out in front of me, they had released their lines before starting their engines...but I cleared their path and made it back safe and sound...although cold and wet.   My advice is with the wind into your face slip down on the deck and "swim" home. 

[robcasey]

as much as we all love this newish sport, the archilles heel of it is paddling upwind.  there's a certain point where it doesn't make any sense. ya it's great for training or exercise, but if you're trying to get somewhere - sit down.  it may be 'stand up' but common sense says sit to reduce wind resistence. some like to kneel, but as a kayaker sitting is more comfortable and effecient for me.  if you sit, hold the paddle above the blade for your lower hand (2' away with the other) and lean forward to paddle. look at canoe or outrigger paddling strokes. and feather your blade to cut wind as well. i've paddled up to 41kts of wind this way, then stood up to downwind it. 

another thought if you still standing - feather the blade - slicing it through the wind on it's return to the nose.  bring it back close to the water too so it's there if you need to brace. 

cheers.

[stoneaxe]

It's even worse when on Christmas eve you paddle a few miles out into some tough wind thinking you are going to get an easy ride back and just when you start thinking about turning the wind shifts and starts going nuclear offshore. I didn't get in until well after dark and the boss was not very pleased with me.
I've come to love windy choppy days though. My favorite workouts are paddling out into windy choppy conditions. Get a tune in your head and time your strokes to the chop. It definitely helps if you are unweighting the nose as it hits and that requires getting into the rythm of the swells. Its fun too. If it gets real windy going into a crouch is a big help, particularly bending at the waist so your torso is flatter and presenting a lot less area to the wind. I think it works even better than sitting or kneeling and provides for stronger longer strokes. Can be tough to maintain for longer distances though so kneeling, sitting or even laying down are all options.