How do you stand?

[SUP_state_of_mind]

So I have been on my board almost every day since I got it.  So about two weeks so far and I am wondering, how do you stand on your board?  I normally stand center of the board, facing forwards, feet squarded up about shoulder width apart.  But as I paddle longer my left knee (which is screwed up for a foosball accident) starts to hurt a little.  So I have been moving my feet around trying to get more comfortable.

Just wondering what youyou al do.  Thanks.

[Logan]

Sounds to me like you are doing what you are supposed to do.  As my balance improved, I started to experiment with a foot forward and how that affected power or stroke rate as well as trying to figure out paddling in a surfing stance (good balance game to play ).

The "official" stance is as you've described, but I've had to vary my foot positions and try different things for a variety of reasons, not the least of which are my very bad ankles.  Keep at it.

Logan

[stoneaxe]

Foosball accident?...full contact foosball I love it...

I think just about everyone moves around. Especially for long outings. Either to relieve numbness or distribute the load. Pretty normal to feel a little tightness or pain if you remain in one position too long...especially with old foosball injuries and such....

[bean]

As long as you're standing on top of your board you should be ok...although I have seen Wingnut stand on the bottom of his. 

Just a couple days ago, I was paddling south into a SW wind and to compensate, I stepped forward about a half foot from center and also shifted more of my weight to the windward side of the board.  This allowed the board to heel like a sail boat bringing the rocker into play while also pushing the windward-side nose down.  This did make for a more comfortable and interesting paddle, but not neccessarily a more efficient one. 

[upwinder]

Early on I was kind of stuck in the "standard" stance and struggled a bit with crampy calves and feet. It was partly about fitness & flexibility of the respective muscles and partly because my brain took some time to adapt to being on a board*.

Now I tend to move around quite a bit to a) trim the board for wind & water conditions  b) vary stance to give muscles a rest etc.

relaxing your feet & moving around will probably become second nature in due course, you might hardly be aware that you're doing it.

(*I go through the same cycle for every new board I get on, but it takes a heap less time now  )

[SUP_state_of_mind]

Thank you all for the great info, really helps a lot.  Time to get back on the water and paddle somemore.

[uglysupper]

Spend some time deliberately moving around on the board; both while you're paddling, or also just sort of sitting around. It'll help you learn about your board, improve your balance, and teach you ways to stay on the board when something temporarily knocks you off balance.

Push the limits of where you can stand and move on your board, and you'll be amazed - with just a very light forward paddle stroke, you can stand on the tail, submerged up to mid-calf, or more - then just walk up the board to balance out.

spend time falling, goofing off, getting wet, but realize - you're always teaching yourself proprioception and balance. 

About 3 years ago I got my first SUP, a 12'6" Starboard SUPer... last week, I was catching waves on a 7'10"x28.5 custom board from my buddy Keith. (I weight about 225 pounds.) the board was super-tiny, and challenge to paddle, but i was amazed at how many times i was able to "rescue" myself from what must have looked like a sure dunking. People learn to walk on highwires - with enough practice, everyone learn to surf a sub-8 SUP (and BOY, is it WORTH IT!)


(personal bragging over)

[PonoBill]

I was doing that a few days ago in between downwinders while waiting for Rod to get finished kitesurfing so we could do another downwinder. Victoria (I forget her last name) left some boards on the beach while she went to get her van at Viento and asked me to keep an eye on them. One of the boards was a big Amundsen, so I took it out by the dock at Nichols and played around. I did laps around the board, walking towards the nose until the fin came up, then turning around and paddling it backwards, then walk toward the tail until it sunk a bit, then turn around again. I expected to fall but I did ten laps and never did.

I think that's a pretty good exercise for loosening up on the board.

Two ways to turn around backwards. I think the easiest way is to kind of jump and spin. A little harder and kind of more fun is to turn sideways on the board, sink your paddle on the side you are facing and then use it to steady as you pivot. It helps a lot to keep your feet in a cross-step position so you can balance heel to toe.

I do this whole thing very wobbly. I'm sure people with better balance can do it far more gracefully, Zane Schweitzer, for example, could undoubtedly do it with the board balanced on one edge. You should see that kid freestyle on a windsurfer.

But I can do it.

[uglysupper]

From what i've heard of the wind the last few days in hood my SUP would have been untouched!

[EgoSmitty]

Ive really started applying a staggered stance lately very similar to a surf stance. I suggest anyone try it out. Start practicing it on flatwater at first. Whichever side of the board the paddle is on, make that your rear foot. Youll get good at switching stances by cross walking the board when switching sides. I even give it a little finesse and rock the board forward when changing sides/stance to give the board a lil momentum during the change.

The big reason I do this? I get such a great pull with my abdominal muscles and can really rip that board past the paddle. You always hear everyone talk about pulling yourself past the paddle. Stretch and reach while you are in a staggered stance and watch the board start to fly.