Using Paddle In Surf

[colas]

Two tips I was given by Patrice Guenolé that helped me most to use the paddle:
- try to always put the paddle at a right angle with the board to lean on it in bottom turns. I you let the blade drag behind it will messes with your body position.
- in backside bottom turns, try to keep the arm on the top hand straight, and flex only the elbow on the lower hand (the one closer to the wave). We tend naturally to do the opposite, but it kinds of locks you in place.

[supthecreek]

Cardiff... that was a nice use of pictures... great way to punctuate the words

[JimK]

As a big guy kinda stuck on big boards you GOTTA use the paddle as a folcrum to power into and out of all turns.Without it we are all just riding fat barges.

The paddle is the key to riding that is why it is called stand up PADDLE surfing

JimK
www.extremewindsurfing.com

[sup_surf_giant]

Every chance I get I use the paddle to try to accelerate, especially (as Cardiff pointed out) when the waves aren't helping much in the speed department.


Tim Rudolph SUP shots Erik - 07 by ewxlt, on Flickr

[Dwight (DW)]

My advice, concentrate on using the paddle to lean harder into turns and DONT get into the bad habit of paddling for speed going down the line.

Because when you get off those slow SUPs we all learn on, and onto the small ones as fast as a shortboard, you'll actually slow yourself down screwing with the paddle. And look bad while doing it. Once on the small boards, you'll go faster doing it the proner way, pumping the board and keeping it trimmed.

[Tom]

DW, I agree 100% that paddling while on a wave looks bad. If the wave doesn't have enough push to keep you going, you're either in the wrong place on the wave or you're not surfing it right. A stroke or two maybe to get past a section or to get in a better position is marginally ok, but try to avoid it.

[Dwight (DW)]

DW, I agree 100% that paddling while on a wave looks bad. If the wave doesn't have enough push to keep you going, you're either in the wrong place on the wave or you're not surfing it right. A stroke or two maybe to get past a section or to get in a better position is marginally ok, but try to avoid it.

I know a few guys who can't break their bad habit of paddling non stop, the whole ride. It really kills their surfing

[headmount]

Two tips I was given by Patrice Guenolé that helped me most to use the paddle:
- try to always put the paddle at a right angle with the board to lean on it in bottom turns. I you let the blade drag behind it will messes with your body position.
- in backside bottom turns, try to keep the arm on the top hand straight, and flex only the elbow on the lower hand (the one closer to the wave). We tend naturally to do the opposite, but it kinds of locks you in place.

This is a great tip and I used it this morning.  Ultra glass hero surf, non threatening head high stuff where it had enough juice to lay the rail into the turn.  This tip made sense to me so I used it and felt solid.  Thanks Colas.

Is this a pic of Patrice at Sunset a few yrs ago?  Best backside turn I've ever seen.

[gtcali]

Dang it.  I forgot again.   Maybe Saturday.

[lopezwill]

headmount -

Now that is a sick bottom turn!  Nice photo!

  Check out this video near 3:08 of Dogman.  After 3 plus years of sup surfing I just learned this cut back maneuver this winter.  switching the paddle from inside to outside during the cut back part.  WOW!  You can really gouge the wave and you get more power and speed when using the paddle out in the flats when cutting back.  The hard part is switching the paddle from inside to outside during your bottom turn on a heavy wave.  It feels awkward making the switch from inside to outside but once you put that paddle in the water it really pivots your board around with a really nice cut back.  I'm surprised more sup surfers don't do this?



  I really don't care for this maneuver on smaller waves but anything chest high or better it's just a fantastic, powerful way to cut back on a wave!

  Somebody is going to perform this sup maneuver on a huge tube wave and it's going to be a sight to see!

Does this sup maneuver have a specialized name?  It really should.

[lopezwill]

Here's another look at that cut back with the paddle.

  Go to 1:50.




Hey...some STANDUPZONE member should coin this sup maneuver if there isn't already a name for it.

[colas]

Is this a pic of Patrice at Sunset a few yrs ago?  Best backside turn I've ever seen.

No, this is Peyo Lizarazu, on a Barland custom as always. His backside bottom turns are totally mind blowing.

[PilonSUP]

DW, I agree 100% that paddling while on a wave looks bad. If the wave doesn't have enough push to keep you going, you're either in the wrong place on the wave or you're not surfing it right. A stroke or two maybe to get past a section or to get in a better position is marginally ok, but try to avoid it.

My advice, concentrate on using the paddle to lean harder into turns and DONT get into the bad habit of paddling for speed going down the line.

Because when you get off those slow SUPs we all learn on, and onto the small ones as fast as a shortboard, you'll actually slow yourself down screwing with the paddle. And look bad while doing it. Once on the small boards, you'll go faster doing it the proner way, pumping the board and keeping it trimmed.

Two great post!!

[colas]

Once on the small boards, you'll go faster doing it the proner way, pumping the board and keeping it trimmed.

So true...
On the short boards, the best use of the paddle is just small quick moves (a bit as with ski poles) to help the board get into the powerful parts of the waves to tap the juice there. The paddle become more a rudder than an engine, in that it doesn't provide power, it helps you get into the power zone

[alap]

colas, really a 90 degree angle? on my open side?
but if I am in the surf stance, means mybootom (closer to the water) hand has to be fully extended, and the top hand bent...

may be you meant not literaly 90 degreees, just not to drag way behind...