Dropping down in length ?

[mox1968]

Hi Guys,

I have a question regarding taking off on waves on a shorter type board? Not drastically short but shorter than Im used to. I usually ride a 10 6 bic acetec and always found it easy to catch waves . Feet side by side paddle in early and jump in to a surf stance. I just bought a starboard 8 10 wide point , I thought the drop in length would be fine but when I went out on it !!!! Was like being on a cork !!!! Really unsteady on this thing but eventually got the balnce dialled in , only problem is paddling for the wave. I have feet side by side and start to paddle as wave approaches , by time wave gets to me Ive paddled past facing beach and Im travelling up the other side and thats only two strokes !!!!So my question is should I still have feet side by side or do I need to be in a surf stance as I paddle for it and how can I cut down on the board spinning out ?

TThanks guys

[kayadogg]

You should start to stagger your feet when paddling for a wave. You don't need to be in full surf stance but as you drop down in length and your skill improves, you'll find that paddling in a staggered stance, sort of a mix between surf stance and being in a parallel stance. You probably want to start practicing being about 45 degrees to the wave so your last couple of strokes straighten you out and as the wave comes up behind you, you're in good alignment and ready to drop in. I paddle in a staggered stance the entire time I'm out surfing. I find it gives me more control as my feet are closer to the center line and I can control fore/aft better and side to side balance isn't an issue.

[mox1968]

Thanks will give it a try !!

[clay]

Hi,

Plus one for staggered stance.  On my 8'8" I find I really need to be aware of my distance from the wave and to remember how many paddle strokes on one side it takes for the board to turn 90 degrees, sometimes just sitting there and not paddling is the best option for keeping the board pointed in the direction I want and then at the last second give 2-3 strong strokes while switching to a wide surf stance.  And sometimes even paddling in the "wrong" direction to get the board pointed in the "wrong" direction and then as I feel the wave approaching switch hands and paddle hard the way I want to go and if I time it right everything lines up...

[mrbig]

+1 on staggered, or as someone once described it - Kung Foo Fighter Boy stance.

When I first got my King's 7'11" I quickly learned that parallel stance angled take off was, how shall we say, useless. I had to rediscover the joys of sitting inside and tried many stance variations.

What finally seemed to work was a staggered stance which helped control fore and aft stability while paddling around the lineup. Going for a wave I needed to switch to full, or close to it, surf stance with my back foot on the stomper and take off late!

Years of prone surfing on short boards helped with feeling comfortable on later drops with the lip cresting, and breaking. No paddling in early, angled takeoffs allowed! Late sideways death slides encouraged!

[PonoBill]

First thing to do is take a hard look at your stroke. It usually goes all to hell when you start missing waves. A poor stroke makes the board turn more than a good one does--if you aren't getting the paddle as vertical as possible the blade is angled out, turning the board. If your reach has gone to hell then the power part of the stroke, that has the least amount of turning force, is compromised and you'll start putting power into the stroke at the point that turns the board most effectively. Stack your shoulders, reach, and keep your strokes short. Two quick strokes with 70 percent of the power you could apply are better than one at 100.

Stand the way you are most comfortable for the board you're riding. I don't have a choice on staggered stance for my short boards, the sweet spot is so small for pitch balance that I wouldn't be able to keep the board stable if I wasn't in at least 3/4 surf stance. On my big Foote the most comfortable stance is a tiny bit of stagger with my feet close to the centerline. With wide boards, a wide stance shoves your body around when the rails bounce over chop.

I don't think it's a great idea to try to compensate for the board turning. Your board angle at the drop should suit the wave.  I did that for a while with my L41, and found I was still missing waves and worse yet, I was screwing up my bottom turn. I spent a morning cleaning up my stroke and I didn't need to do it.

[all~wet]

2 things. Sit on the peak, further inside. Likely much further inside than you normally do on the 10-6. Far enough that a quick turn, 2 maybe 3 strokes and your dropping right into the pocket. Probably go over the falls quite a few times figuring it out.... but when you dial it in, your ability to read the line-up, anticipation where to be for waves and surfing will take a giant leap. Have fun!

[stoneaxe]

All of the above. Especially positioning....I'm out beyond the longboarders on my 10-6 and in with the shortboarders on my 8-4.

[magentawave]

+3 on staggering your stance.