Paddling Across Waves - Balance Issue

[bing]

I have been paddling for about three years now and my balance is so so.  I have no problem with cross chop, downwinding conditions, etc..  However, when it comes to cutting across waves that are 2 ft high or so in a downwinding condition, I find it very difficult to keep my balance and it takes a lot of energy to stay on the board.  Does anyone have any tips ?

Thanks

[outcast]

time your stroke to push where/when you need it (start to fall over) ...?
Do alot more of it

Push just before the wave hits, and dig just over the backside

[balance_fit]

I have been paddling for about three years now and my balance is so so.  I have no problem with cross chop, downwinding conditions, etc..  However, when it comes to cutting across waves that are 2 ft high or so in a downwinding condition, I find it very difficult to keep my balance and it takes a lot of energy to stay on the board.  Does anyone have any tips ?

Thanks

Under these conditions, which I also face on a regular basis I adopt a wide stance, flex at the knees to lower my center of gravity and use the paddle to brace if needed. Eyes fixed straight ahead on landmarks, to fix course, paddling conservatively to keep expenditure low, breathe well and relax. Enjoy !

[stoneaxe]

I'm only working with 1/2 a vestibular system so maintaining balance (or trying to) is a specialty of mine...
Is this a secondary swell coming in from the side or the wind swell you are trying to ride? If secondary it will always take more work. The most difficult conditions I go out in are when you have waves coming from 3 directions, primary swell, secondary, and shore rebound. Best you can do is to stay loose and it always requires extra paddle use for balance checks. Stroke timing is everything here...reading the water and knowing where to apply force BEFORE you start to fall not only will keep you upright but also make you faster too.

[Glider]

All of the above is good advise and works, keep your eyes on the horizon and use your perifeal vison when being hit from all sides.  For some reason the body has a natural balance adjustment when looking of in the distance.  Kind of goes along with don't look down at you feet until you are very experienced and can handle lots of water moving.  Practice- practice practice, the skill will come.

[bean]

 For some reason the body has a natural balance adjustment when looking of in the distance.  

You may find yourself naturally adjusting for every little movement of the board when looking down.  Sensory overload.  Try looking out to the horizon and let the board move under you without reacting to every little change.  You'll be surprised how well the board recovers with less input from the rider.   

[balance_fit]

 For some reason the body has a natural balance adjustment when looking of in the distance.  

You may find yourself naturally adjusting for every little movement of the board when looking down.  Sensory overload.  Try looking out to the horizon and let the board move under you without reacting to every little change.  You'll be surprised how well the board recovers with less input from the rider.   

Absolutely true. When looking ahead, one gives the visual input time to be analyzed, integrated and responded to. There's no need to chase every little wavelet, chop and swell ahead and think how to react to it. Just stay on course.
If one is looking down at the bow of the board, this visual information is lost or comes in a very large packet at once, not allowing the necessary adjustment time. This results in an overcompensation via some reflex motion that will certainly be detrimental to overall progress and board trim.
In mountain biking, which i also practice, the visual reference is important too, if one fixes the eyes just a foot ahead of the front tire, very scary things will result. ....
The other elements of balance are vestibular, which lays inside the ear, and propioceptive, coming mostly from the feet and inmediate joints up the chain towards the hip.
One system can very well compensate for the other. For example, approaching events that i know will take place in choppy waters, i train by going out in choppy waters...at night. So, by curtailing the visual system, i enhance the propioceptive.
Be well !

[tahitijack]

I'm still a flat water paddler, but when things get rough and rocky....I paddle faster, which brings more stability.  Bending my knees to lower my center of gravity also helps.  If you are comfortable with doing this and have the time, you could slip down to your knees  until things calm down.   If I see a wake from a boat I try to paddle fast and head into it at 90 degrees.  Hope this helps. 

[stoneaxe]

balance_fit's post is spot on. I started SUP for balance therapy. I was literally falling down occasionally before I started to paddle. I've been a big proponent of SUP for folks with balance problems ever since. I think the primary difference between SUP and other more typical vestibular therapy (which I also did a lot of and found less helpful) is the focus on a broad horizon. I retrained my balance system to be more reliant on the visual horizon and challenged my balance by going out in crazy choppy conditions frequently.

[robcasey]

what type of board do you have vs your ht and wt?  some of my boards are fine in funk waters, others are a bit tippy if they're more narrow.

but.. a few thoughts nonetheless..
- when the wave comes, push down on the rail on the wave side. release as it passes, (keep paddling).
- keep paddling before, during, and after the wave.  paddling = stability. 
- try paddling on the downside of the wave, then the upside only and see if either helps.
- squat as the wave passes below you to lower your center of gravity - and keep paddling.
- while paddling over the wave slap the flat portion of your blade on the water as a brace if you're feeling tippy, quickly begin paddling again after a 'save'.