Proper stance for catching waves

[Zooport]

I'm fairly new to SUP surfing, but I have surfed in the traditional manner for many years.  I'm a little confused about paddling stance when catching waves.  I find that I'm more comfortable catching waves with one foot about 12 inches behind the other.  It's about half way between the facing forward stance and the full sideways stance that you use when actually surfing a wave. 

Here's what confuses me.  Most of the people at the breaks where I surf face fully forward when paddling for a wave and then they switch to a full surfing stance once they catch the wave.  This is unstable to me.  I find that I can trim the board better when my feet are in the modified stance.  It's easier to walk forward a bit when trying to scratch into a mushy wave and easier to walk back if the wave stands up and gets steep.  The facing forward stance just doesn't make sense to me when paddling for a wave, but most people are doing it that way.  What am I missing? 

[kayadogg]

I think if you pay attention you will see that most of the people standing completely facing forward will be on slightly larger boards and catching waves a little bit further out. While this isn't always the case, it tends to be the way that most paddle into a wave when catching it further out, when they have time to switch their stance.  Once you either drop down in board size (or width) and are surfing larger, faster, steeper waves, your stance is critical and you will see people catching waves in a staggered stance or in surf stance completely.  When your drops are later or the waves are juicy, you might not have that extra time to switch your stance.  If you already prefer catching waves in a staggered stance, it can't hurt you.  If anything, it will help you as you progress.  And welcome to the Zone!

[Biggreen]

Oh my, Water! Many on here are more capable than I, but here's my thoughts/experience. I've always stood like you're describing. My surf buddies who are now sweepers (I'd never surfed) gave me HELL saying I was standing wrong...my stance was too closed...I'd never advance.  But to me it's more natural. A staggered stance means you can shift forward or back depending on when and where you catch the wave in Its' position.  I began to notice I was catching more waves and was more stable than the rest of the crew.  Now I'm not saying it's right or wrong, just what works for me.  And to me, that's what you gotta do.....what works for you. Me, I like it.   I'm sure there will be responses for both styles.  Just enjoy!

[headmount]

IMO a closer stance allows you to move ur feet quicker and not be over committed to one spot on the board.  Had this guy this morning who seemed to be in front of me on every wave I caught.   No biggie.  Waves weren't anything to get excited about but I was marveling at how anchored he was on his board with this Greg Noll Waimea stance on waist high waves.

Mine aren't wide at all and weren't wide when I prone surfed.

[supthecreek]

When a surfer transitions to SUP, catching waves in the parallel stance is VERY odd.... mostly you just fall over backwards. I tell newbie's to adopt a "modified surf stance", just as you described, because it gives crucial front to back stability. Once you master catching waves, it becomes easier to use the parallel stance, if you wish. I love dropping in on an overhead wave in parallel stance... there is just something cool about the feel of it.

Like Kaya said... on bigger boards, it is more prevalent... shorter boards are more easily controlled in surf stance.

Whatever you do to catch a wave, is perfect. Do what feels good.

[southwesterly]

IMO a closer stance allows you to move ur feet quicker and not be over committed to one spot on the board.  Had this guy this morning who seemed to be in front of me on every wave I caught.   No biggie.  Waves weren't anything to get excited about but I was marveling at how anchored he was on his board with this Greg Noll Waimea stance on waist high waves.

Mine aren't wide at all and weren't wide when I prone surfed.

Good karma will come your way Mr. Headmount.
Maybe you should have given Mr. Greg Noll stance a Miki Dora reminder
just to let him know you are still behind him once again.

[Biggreen]

Nice southwesterly!

I'd like to add that having my feet more centered along the stringer line allows the board to do what it needs to underneath me without having to fight that shift in balance so much that comes with a more parallel stance.  Anyone else have that feeling?

[Zooport]

Thank you everyone for that information.  That clears things up quite a bit.  It's good to know that I am not crazy and the modified stance is not some kook move.  I actually was feeling self-conscious in my surf session this morning because it looked like I was the only one standing that way.   

[Board Stiff]

What kayadogg and SUPtheCreek said matches my experience too. I've never prone surfed before, but when I started SUSing on an 11'6 cruiser, the parallel stance let me paddle hard to pick up speed and ease into a swell when it hadn't nearly peaked yet. Once I caught the wave, I could then shuffle into a staggered stance to ride it.

Moving down to an 8'10 Allwave, I found that this strategy didn't work. The waves just passed under me, and if I tried to shift stance while starting to drop, I was more likely to fall off. Since SUPtheCreek and others suggested I start in a staggered stance and try to catch the waves further in where they're peaking, I've had better luck. As the wave approaches, I take a couple gentle strokes to turn towards shore, and then just a couple hard strokes while shifting my weight forward and sometimes even stepping my front foot forward further just as the wave reaches me.

The staggered stance helps me focus more on shifting my weight appropriately for a steeper drop, while discouraging what was a counterproductive effort to paddle hard for speed further out. I was stoked yesterday when I really started to feel this and understand experientially what I'd been taking on faith until then! 

[surfinJ]

Exactly.  On a longboard sup paddling in early it's easy to remain in a
paddling stance, stroke strong and pop into the surf stance as you drop
in.

If wave is hollow, or on a shortboard sup, the surfing stance lets you both
wait the nose and tail as needed.

[headmount]

IMO a closer stance allows you to move ur feet quicker and not be over committed to one spot on the board.  Had this guy this morning who seemed to be in front of me on every wave I caught.   No biggie.  Waves weren't anything to get excited about but I was marveling at how anchored he was on his board with this Greg Noll Waimea stance on waist high waves.

Mine aren't wide at all and weren't wide when I prone surfed.

Good karma will come your way Mr. Headmount.
Maybe you should have given Mr. Greg Noll stance a Miki Dora reminder
just to let him know you are still behind him once again.

Had my nose just under his tail and the 'reminder' did cross my mind but also figured what's the point?    Besides the kid was less than half my age.  How's he going to take even a little nudge from some grey haired guy?  My attitude is those small packed days are training days for skills I need to work on for bigger days at better spots.   Riding behind and around people is actually a great classroom.  But with that super wide stance, he was vulnerable.

[Zooport]

That wide stance makes one think of places to slap the paddle.  (evil laugh)

[SlatchJim]

Exactly.  On a longboard sup paddling in early it's easy to remain in a
paddling stance, stroke strong and pop into the surf stance as you drop
in.

If wave is hollow, or on a shortboard sup, the surfing stance lets you both
wait the nose and tail as needed.

And I'd like to add for WotB, if you need lessons in kooking it up, just send me a pm and I'll let you know where I'll be the next weekend.  I only charge what you think is worthy of pay, and I assure you that I've perfected all the Kook-arts that the Hogwarts-of-the-Zone can perfect.

Hashtag: falling down for no reason; seaweed, it's more than just a wave brake, Nothing says love like a drop in on your significant other.

[kayadogg]

Hey SlatchJim, were you out at SanO on Sunday afternoon?  Further down by Nukes for a little while?  Just trunks and a longboard style, all-arounder board?

[Zooport]

I was there on Saturday.  Tide was too high combined with a less than perfect swell angle.  Waves weren't even breaking south of the OK sign.   Went out for a while anyway until the wind came up.