Punching whitewater

[DavidJohn]

Here's one way to handle punching through the shore pound.

Great....but one of those cop's could have carried his boards for him..

DJ

[1paddle2paddle]

Smile and roll with it good brother...now you're really having fun! We're all out there with you doing the same thing. And one day you'll bust through something you thought was impossible and you'll think, "Woah!...I'm still on my feet." ...stoked!

It is funny.  It would have to look funny observing it happen to someone else.  All part of the learning process.

[Tom]

Speaking of being dumped on your akole, I've learned that there yet another way to hurt your self while SUPing.  I find that after a day where I've fallen a lot, I end up with bruised that I wouldn't have had in normal surfing. When I fall off my long board, the board flies out from under me and I land in the water. I guess because the SUP is so big, it doesn't fly out from under me so quickly  or else it's just a bigger target, and I end up landing on it.

[river]

Yes this is all a part of a process by which I learn most sports
"crash and learn"

[MichaelF]

Video Request - I love watching punching whitewater.  If anyone has some good footage up against some whitewater piles, i would love to see it.

[steamroller]

heres how i get through whitewater...ha ha...

[Chan]

Nice pic.  From the looks of it, you are positioning your paddle for smooth entry.  I have been working on wipeout paddle position and techniques as well. When under, a bit of downward pressure with a flat blade works wonders for quicker surfacing.  Some blade pressure during a wipeout (such as the one pictured) can provide a forceful punch through and assist in the subsequent recovery.  Has anyone else toyed with this? 

[PonoBill]

I know you're kidding, but I really have found that putting my paddle over my head helps me surface faster in whitewater.

[river]

I use my paddle all the time to resurface quicker.  Plus I can use it under water to keep from getting tumbled and keep my orientation for faster recovery.  I love having the paddle as a tool for more control all the time.

[Allan Cheateaux]

To true Dan. Ive found it can also help me stop the "long slow drag of death" by holding it against the pull while under in a fall. You can also use it to pull yourself through water.

I dive with it pointed a bit, and while at the deepest part of my dive "scoop" water with it to pull me further and provide an anchor. Works alright for me.

[Chan]

I know you're kidding, but I really have found that putting my paddle over my head helps me surface faster in whitewater.

No, not kidding this time.  It really is helpful and fun to practice, provided you can find a secluded local.

[Admin]

Especially helpful in aerated whitewater when "hand swimming" is next to useless.  A few weeks back I got dropped by a powerful lip and driven deep-mashed and held on my back to the reef.  With the paddle, I made it up for a breath before the next one.  It would have genuinely sucked not to get that breath.

[Chan]

heres how i get through whitewater...ha ha...

Further steamroller pic analysis:
His paddle is tucked tight, wide grip, and the blade is positioned perpendicular to the wave.  This is my preferred position for entry.  My worst wipeouts usually occur when the paddle is in one hand only, or over my head.  This can lead to some serious torque (maybe more so for the small). 

[srfnff]

I've been practicing an alternative. When faced with an oncoming lip such as shown, I quick turn and paddle as hard as I can to "catch" the foam ball. I call it the "salsipuedes" (get out if you can) maneuver but others have called it the "dog running with tail between legs" move.

[Paddle-Plappe]

hé hé  , ostrich-like approach, well done Steam!
a thread is better with photos.