Noob Help: Paddling Out

[bman90254]

My wife and I just took up SUP - never surfed before, so we're just getting out and paddling vs. riding waves.  We live in South Bay L.A., where waves usually seem to break fairly close to the beach.  We're getting the hang of paddling with swells and some chop once we get out there, and loving it (preferred to flat water paddling...) - however we are not so good yet at getting through the break.  Of course we try to find a good spot with no surfers/swimmers, fewer breaking waves, and wait for some calm between sets...but any advice for the best way to get out when there aren't any real calm spots?

We only go out through small stuff that most of you guys probably just stand up and paddle through, but we're not there yet (we've only been out in the open ocean 3-4 times so far).  Should we:
* Walk our boards out as far as we can stand up (pushing the nose up & over the wave)?
* Lay on top of the paddle & paddle over on our stomach?
* Kneel & try to paddle over the waves?
* Continue to try all of the above at random intervals & get used to looking like the noobs that we are, getting worked a little, etc.?

Thanks for your advice!

[Honolii]

Best advice I can give you is to take up surfing, seriously. Get a longboard, learn how to paddle it prone, time the sets, how to turtle and handle your board when caught inside...all this will add to your SUP skills.
Learning to SUP in flat water with a channel to get out is way different from learning to SUP through a shorebreak. I know the South Bay very well, lived there for 15 years and surfed everywhere from Dockweilers when it gets big, Porto, Manhattan, Hermosa Shorebreaks, Redondo Breakwall, etc.  So I know what you have to deal with when there's waves. Between El Porto and Manhattan Pier you usually can find a calm spot to paddle out. Still there is NO substitute to learning to SUP in the wave zone as learning to surf. You can switch off, one day surf, one day SUP, I guarantee you will improve a lot on your handling your SUP board, reading and timing the waves. If you cannot paddle through a shorebreak with a longboard, you sure are not going ot have an easier time with a bigger SUP board and paddle.
Don't give up!
Aloha,
Honolii

[stoneaxe]

Only way you're going to learn to punch through whitewater is to do it. Start out on smaller days...walk the board out some if it helps and then go for it. Somedays I will stay in the zone and just practice punching whitewater. Get a day when its near the limit of your ability and practice...you'll fall a lot but I think learning to punch whitewater is half the fun...gret workout too....

[kwhilden]

Check out this thread, and the video by Sam Pa'e
http://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=3837.0

The video shows very nicely the technique of stepping back one foot while paddling over a wave. It also shows the timing of planting the paddle to gain momentum while climbing the whitewater.

Knee paddling is better than laying down, because you can still punch whitewater and  learn the timing and mechanics of the paddle plant that thrusts you through the wave.

Definitely agree with the suggestion of getting a longboard and learning how to surf on that first. It's just as fun, fairly easy to learn, and I think it is much safer for you and for others. The big floaty SUPs can generate a lot of force when caught by a breaking wave.

[alap]

i disagree with an idea of learning to surf as a way to learn how to get out.
and i dispise an idea of doing it on the knee.
i'll never kneel...
i am with stoneaxe. don't look on crossing whitewater as some nuissance or annoyance.
its like cross training - if you learn to cross whitewater your surfing skills will improve.
if i can give any specific advice - it is use the paddle. Learn how to put it in the water and load it. If you load it, it presents huge support. In any situation. From turning to crossing the whitewater.
the whole idea of SUP is the proper use of a paddle.
if the whitewater hits you and your paddle is already in the water it helps tremendously. As an exercise, when out put the paddle in the water and try to move it - forward, backwards, sideways... its your third leg.
hope this helps.

[PonoBill]

Lots of people struggle in whitewater until they understand that it's generally easier to get through it standing than any other way. I guess it's kind of counter-intuitive, but with your whole body on the board there's lots for the whitewater to push against, when you're standing it's just your feet and lower legs. And you can execute the pre-loading and weight shifting techniques that Sam shows off.

[Dwight (DW)]

i disagree with an idea of learning to surf as a way to learn how to get out.
and i dispise an idea of doing it on the knee.
i'll never kneel...
i am with stoneaxe. don't look on crossing whitewater as some nuissance or annoyance.
its like cross training - if you learn to cross whitewater your surfing skills will improve.
if i can give any specific advice - it is use the paddle. Learn how to put it in the water and load it. If you load it, it presents huge support. In any situation. From turning to crossing the whitewater.
the whole idea of SUP is the proper use of a paddle.
if the whitewater hits you and your paddle is already in the water it helps tremendously. As an exercise, when out put the paddle in the water and try to move it - forward, backwards, sideways... its your third leg.
hope this helps.

Right on, agree 100%

To illustrate the difference in attitude between a SUPer with no prone background (me) and a SUPer who's a life long prone surfer, I've got a story for you.

Earlier this summer I met up with an old friend at a beach party on a private island. We were both SUPers who started at the same time, in May 2007, but hadn't seen each other in a long time. The surf conditions for the party were wonderful. Chest high with a light on shore wind, making for relentless, but fun waves. I SUPed all afternoon, while my friend surfed his prone board and his SUP board prone. Several times during the party he remarked about how impressed he was with my SUP skills and how embarrassed he was to even try standing up in those conditions.

Stay on your feet, and soon it will become easy. Stay off your belly and knees.

[Caribsurf]

all it took was one cracking wave on my crotch to learn to NEVER paddle out on my knees

[stoneaxe]

all it took was one cracking wave on my crotch to learn to NEVER paddle out on my knees

LOL...been there done that....yowch!...

[bman90254]

Thanks everyone.  (And knee paddle-outs just fell way down my list of options...).

[kwhilden]

While I respect the regulars on this forum who are die-hard SUP surfers, I think there is a lot of value in learning how to surf on anything. Longboards, shortboards, SUPs, boogie boards, bodysurfing, kayaks, etc... each one will perform differently and have different benefits and drawbacks depending on the conditions. No matter what surfing vehicle you choose, expect to spend a lot of time on it learning how to use it. There's no substitute for time on the water.

I think that longboards and SUPs have the most complimentary characteristics. Longboards are better for learning how waves work and getting comfortable in the surf zone because they are smaller and less complicated. There is less to think about when catching a wave, and the board is much easier to control. The size of a SUP makes it more difficult to handle in the impact zone, and more dangerous because of the extreme force it can generate when carried by whitewater.

It's also much easier to get a lesson in longboard surfing than SUP surfing. Does anyone offer SUP surfing lessons for beginners anywhere?? A longboard lesson is available nearly anywhere there is surf. For someone who hasn't surfed and has little experience in the ocean, a lesson (or two) will teach surf zone safety and etiquette. Very important things to learn!

Recently, I had a great double session at Linda Mar. The waves were small, but there were two peaks at the north end that had some size. One peak had about 20 longboarders on it. The second peak wasn't quite steep enough for a longboard, but perfect for a SUP. I surfed the second peak by myself for a couple of hours. When I couldn't paddle any more, I put the SUP inside my car (it's a split board), grabbed my 9'6 longboard, and surfed the longboard peak for a couple of more hours. Both were equally fun! I got more waves on the SUP, but I really enjoy surfing a longboard too.

The great thing about a longboard is that you can paddle out into nearly any crowded beginner/intermediate spot without worrying about getting hassled. Most beginner spots aren't "localized", and are generally accepting of longboarders provided they respect surf etiquette. A SUP is a different story. Until I get very good at handling my SUP, I won't go into a crowded long board spot because I could easily hurt someone if my big board got out of control.

Kevin

[NCBA]

I have the most fun pulling off a wave standing and paddling back out through whitewater. It's a challenge. If you surf the entire session without coming unstuck it's like a perfect round at golf. Also, did anyone mention standing and waiting on the inside for the waves to pass and then zig zagging around the on coming waves? So stay standing, no low blows by the wave's lip!

[tautologies]

Lots of people struggle in whitewater until they understand that it's generally easier to get through it standing than any other way. I guess it's kind of counter-intuitive, but with your whole body on the board there's lots for the whitewater to push against, when you're standing it's just your feet and lower legs. And you can execute the pre-loading and weight shifting techniques that Sam shows off.

I second that....

when you see whitewater, paddle as hard as you can against it...you don't want to have your board start going backwards...make sure the nose a little higher than usual...might even consider going into a surf stance just as it hits..just remember that you take it head on.....of course this depends on a lot of things, but generally you can get through decent sized whitewater...if you get tired, sit down with your back to it...and for the love of....get out of peoples way...

:-)
most of all..have fun
A.