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Stand Up Paddle => Technique => Topic started by: justsomeguy on December 15, 2019, 06:08:48 PM

Title: Dropping In with Strong Offshores
Post by: justsomeguy on December 15, 2019, 06:08:48 PM
This Sat we had pretty good waist-chest swell at my home beach-break, but we also had a a stiff offshore wind, strong enough (15+) to create some chop out in the line-up. Missed several waves due to getting a big blast of wind in the chest when trying to drop-in. Would pretty much stall me out and I'd miss the wave. Felt like I was paddling pretty hard, harder than usual for sure and was trying to have speed as wave approached. Didn't really know what to due to counter it, just kept trying. Any ideas?
Title: Re: Dropping In with Strong Offshores
Post by: supthecreek on December 16, 2019, 07:00:44 AM
Hi someguy, welcome to the Zone
and thanks for asking a SUP question  ;D ;D ;D

I whipped this video together, to show how I deal with wind.

Think like a sailor...
They can't go straight upwind.... so they tack.
So do I.... using my back as a sail

I can turn my back, to maximize it's "sail" potential.... even in straight offshore winds.
There is ALWAYS a way to use the wind, regardless of the direction.

I left the following stuff out of the video to keep it simple:

Stagger your feet in semi surf stance
front foot forward.... and lean into it.

Paddle low and hard.... like you mean it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isIsL9KhGmk&t=3s
Title: Re: Dropping In with Strong Offshores
Post by: Bean on December 16, 2019, 07:45:22 AM
Hard to improve on STC's advice but here are a couple of common sense things that you are probably already aware of. 

The board will blow back on you, so in strong offshores you have to use a little more caution.  You will need to get a little further up on your board to make the drop, but you will also have more time as the wind holds up the face.  Also, sitting down in the lineup will help maintain your position.

One of the things I like best about strong offshore winds is the wind-assist paddle out.
Title: Re: Dropping In with Strong Offshores
Post by: Subber on December 16, 2019, 08:06:09 AM
Great advice.

Besides getting more forward on the board, I also squat to reduce wind resistance
until I'm sure I've caught the wave.

Also, and this was talked about in another thread a couple of years ago,
be careful if you have to turn your board over in heavy wind.  I had my
board take off when I flipped it - luckily the leash contained it and no one
was hit - when I turned it over - righted the board - the wind grabbed it
and shot it up into the air.  I should have kept two hands on it.
Title: Re: Dropping In with Strong Offshores
Post by: eastbound on December 16, 2019, 08:14:06 AM
if you dont make a wave and fall off, cover your head with your hands/arms.......
Title: Re: Dropping In with Strong Offshores
Post by: surfcowboy on December 16, 2019, 07:35:09 PM
I tend to crouch and bend at the waist. Not great form usually but cutting the sail (my body) profile by half helps.

Creek called it well. Also, waxing or traction on the nose let’s you step way up to tip it down onto the face.
Title: Re: Dropping In with Strong Offshores
Post by: justsomeguy on December 16, 2019, 07:40:05 PM
Thanks to all for the response ... gotta luv this forum, great tips and a video demo to boot!
Title: Re: Dropping In with Strong Offshores
Post by: toolate on December 17, 2019, 08:04:15 PM
some great advice. Definitely easier if side offshore not in your face.
one trick someone taught me was if it is big you can sometimes use the wind shadow of a wave in front...
Title: Re: Dropping In with Strong Offshores
Post by: supsean on December 18, 2019, 07:21:17 AM
I am usually averse to high winds, off or on, but I am getting more and more comfortable. Thanks for the video Creek!
Title: Re: Dropping In with Strong Offshores
Post by: Paddle On on December 18, 2019, 11:18:13 AM
Great vid Creek! I would emphasize sitting way inside for late take-off and you can paddle out quick if you see a bigger set coming in.
Title: Re: Dropping In with Strong Offshores
Post by: OkiWild on December 30, 2019, 07:04:49 PM
There's always your knees.  ;D

20 knots onshore in this clip, but you get the picture.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B50BZyInCbt/

Title: Re: Dropping In with Strong Offshores
Post by: supsean on April 09, 2020, 10:19:56 AM
I like the kneeling option!

Finally getting into more waves in offshore winds, and then the last time I went out in 15mph winds, got on a small wave, and since somebody else was on it, I dropped off the back of my board. Resurfaced and received a healthy smackdown by the board which had flown up after I had dropped. Felt like my nose was broken, but it seems to be healing nicely. Still shortened my session, and scared my family (except my teenage daughter who just laughed)

Moral of the story is, offshore winds=boards flying so be doubly sure to watch your board and protect yo face!
Title: Re: Dropping In with Strong Offshores
Post by: PabstSUP on April 09, 2020, 01:56:03 PM
I remember a little Zoner meetup & Sunova Demo a few years back in some pretty stiff offshores in Cookie's backyard that Rick organized vi a Island Surf & Sail.  The owner took a video of the session and there are a few drop-ins in heavy wind towards the end. The wave at 3:13 which is the technique I usually use to get into a wave that I might miss which involves using my legs to pump the board to get that last push into the wave. There is also a shot at 3:50 showing the potential danger of high-winds and flying boards. Though I've been trying to get out and get a session now and then amid Corona since it's pretty easy to social distance further out on the island where I am, I think I'm going to hold off on paddling out in really stiff offshores even though I know I can usually handle it. A board to the head or another part of the body requiring a few stitches is the last thing I think our hospital system needs right now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgTN9s2AWHM
Title: Re: Dropping In with Strong Offshores
Post by: supsean on April 10, 2020, 04:46:11 AM
Though I've been trying to get out and get a session now and then amid Corona since it's pretty easy to social distance further out on the island where I am, I think I'm going to hold off on paddling out in really stiff offshores even though I know I can usually handle it. A board to the head or another part of the body requiring a few stitches is the last thing I think our hospital system needs right now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgTN9s2AWHM
Agreed 200%. The wind was supposed to be under 10mph coming down from 15-20 and the waves were small and I thought it looked like a nice mellow surf. Learned my lesson and I’m done until the hospitals are back to semi normal.
Title: Re: Dropping In with Strong Offshores
Post by: Billekrub on July 31, 2020, 02:31:22 PM
Paddling in glassy conditions makes it soooo much easier.  Here, most early mornings are calm, good for paddling and afternoons for wind sports.

When there is wind, usu. cross off (from the left if facing the beach from the water), one can paddle downwind to the right and turn left onto the wave, but even less than 10 knots requires the paddler to be further inside.   Not uncommon for paddlers try for a dozen waves and never catch one.  Also it often requires catching a wave going critical which makes for a scary drop.

The wind helps keep the paddler on a straight path:  wind from the left, paddling on the right side, as the turn approaches 90 degrees.

Will have to try the kneeling approach, as demonstrated so well by okiwild.
Title: Re: Dropping In with Strong Offshores
Post by: OkiWild on August 06, 2020, 07:45:42 PM
Will have to try the kneeling approach, as demonstrated so well by okiwild.

FWIW, I will very rarely paddle in on the knees these days. It does get you under the wind, and you can pick up a wave better, especially if it's like 15kts offshore, but it's hard to pop up in the right place.

Your weight has to be forward, so when you pop up, you're usually well forward on the board, requiring a quick move to the back or you'll pearl (in hollow waves), or the board just won't turn because you're standing too far forward, feet in the wrong place, etc. In more critical waves, it was just a mess. You're much later to the rear of the board vs. just paddling in standing up.

So I just started taking out small boards (8'x28"x100L) and learning to paddle them in poor conditions. Sitting in position, and learning to pop up and start digging was way more effective. In strong wind, I find myself in a low crouch, and choking way up on the paddle.

It was very frustrating spending most of the time in the water  ;D but worked out better in the end.
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