Paddle technique testing

[1tuberider]

When I say core muscles for paddling I am referring to the use of all my muscles from legs to neck.
Every muscle is involved in the pull and it is a great feeling. My face even feels it because of my big happy smile.

My body has changed from paddling.  I no longer have the love handles and the keg has given way to tight stomach muscles.  My calves are tight all the time and I need to stretch. 

The only time I have elbow or shoulder problems is when my paddle is to high or am I paddling with just my arms.  I keep my top hand around eye level and lower power hand around waist level.  I am using my body, not just my arms to stroke, which reduces the wear on the shoulder and elbow.  I get a lot of power out of the pull and have torn some muscles or knocked the floater rib loose one time paddling thru the surf and it took forever to go away but no shoulder or elbow problems.

I am not suggesting I am doing it the best way but this has been the best way for me.  I am paddling in the surf zone at a beach break so I am doing short distance sprints.  For the racing, which is limited for me, I dig with longer strokes and place the paddle as far forward as possible and pull slightly past the body to keep the glide and power on for as long as possible. 

I also use bigger blades for power.  My blades are around 9 1/2 inches.  Coupled with a longer shaft I can really be challenged on the pull, but I usually find the sweet spot with my lower hand for maximum pull in distance and then if I need a short burst of acceleration I drop my hand and make quicker shorter pulls.  No small blades for me, because I want the power option.

[Shawn Michael]

"One thing for sure is the faster I go the more I use my legs to push the board toward where I digged the paddle..."

This is very interesting...I have a hard time getting a feel for this.  Jimmy T described it as "driving the hip through" maybe like a minor version of what you get rowing when the weight shifts and you push the boat forward.  I dont quite get it but I will try to keep this in mind next time I go out.  When I am not struggling to stay standing upright and throwing in all those balancing strokes I try to pick one coaching point and work on it...usually either "open up and reach" or "rebound off the back of the stroke"

I love paddling it is like a transendental meditation on the flats and a battle on the rough...I think when you get good, you are one with the sea, flow with it...like arron naploean riding through 6 foot swells coming from all directions in the channel...ah, some day

[1tuberider]

Jimmy T says  driving the hip thru

I relate to this statement from my many years of martial arts training. 

As I learned in training the true power of martial arts comes not from strength but technique.  An advanced application of power comes from hip movement.  In simple terms think of the hips starting the movement and such as a slight circular movement from the hips that ends up connecting with the kick or punch as the end of a whip.  This is where the power comes from in a one inch punch.

How does this relate to paddling?  The movement of the hips is the start of your torso twist and then all lines up to follow. The hips are leading the paddling effort and allows you to use your entire torso for power.  The hip movement is slight and hardly noticeable but it starts the chain reaction and when done correctly will increase your sum total of power applied to the paddle.

Try it.  Don't over do it but let the hips lead. I think with practice you will find more power.

[shapeshifter]

like so?



i think i'm getting it...

[boardshorts]

Any update on the test Bill? 
I have been thinking about this thread a lot lately because I have been paddling in upwind conditions and against currents.  I feel like my technique could use some major improvements in efficiency.

I was  rower in college and what you guys are calling "drive the hips" we called glide.  You want to maximize the glide through the water and minimize any disruptions by paddling.  On a downwinder this could mean well-placed, powerful strokes at a low stroke rate.  Against the wind is another story.  Since wind plays such a big part in a standup situation, shorter strokes at a higher rate might work better.  Either way, putting the blade in cleanly and in the right position ("cutting the cake" in rowing) is essential.  I also find that feathering the blade is important too because it feels like the drag is noticable if you don't feather the blade into the wind.

My question: has anyone come up with a good way to feather the blade when switching hands?

[sanch10]

Here is a good clip of three paddling beasts.

Quickblade Paddling SUP Newport Harbor

SS

[PonoBill]

I'm working on it still, the pictures take a lot of time because they never seem to show what I want them to.