On your knees, or on your feet?

[southwesterly]

Kneel down or stand up when getting out to the surf is the main objective?

Here's a quote from Greg Noll on whether or not he would tow into large surf if it was available in his time; "I don't care if I was shot out of an elephant's ass as long as it got me into big waves."

Go surfing.

End of story

[ctuna]

Only kneel when its windy or choppy so as to not use up
my energy fighting the wind or balancing.

I also try not to go out when its windy or choppy on a SUP.

[ospreysup]

AMEN, Southwesterly!!!!!

[eastbound]

what sw said

do what works for you to have fun and be safe (esp with others)

[JVM]

Kneel down or stand up when getting out to the surf is the main objective?

Here's a quote from Greg Noll on whether or not he would tow into large surf if it was available in his time; "I don't care if I was shot out of an elephant's ass as long as it got me into big waves."

Go surfing.

End of story

This!

[WaveWashed Hatteras]

I recently entered my first SUS contest.  I found it faster to prone paddle through the  waist to chest high sets then stand once I'm outside.   When the heat was over the judges reminded me that the rules state that the competitor needs to be paddling as much as possible, prone or knee paddling can lower a competitors score as wave transition from end of ride back out to lineup can be scored.

[stoneaxe]

I didn't think anyone was being judgmental. I thought it was just a question about how each of us do it....there is no wrong way.

[TallDude]

I recently entered my first SUS contest.  I found it faster to prone paddle through the  waist to chest high sets then stand once I'm outside.   When the heat was over the judges reminded me that the rules state that the competitor needs to be paddling as much as possible, prone or knee paddling can lower a competitors score as wave transition from end of ride back out to lineup can be scored.

I would say, don't enter anymore contests. Just enjoy surfing.

That being said... If there is free beer envolved, then sign up.

[supsean]

On my Rockaway beach break high frequency wind swell, I do a lot of knee paddling if I am in the white water zone. I wait until I see a lull, pop on to my board, and knee paddle like hell. In the time it takes to stand and balance, I feel like I can get in 3 or 4 strokes. Once up, I generally try and get over the waves standing. Although in bigger foam balls, I jump off and grab the handle. I am getting more and more comfortable standing over the foam, and this topic is making me want to stand up more. I don't much like prone paddling, as I was never a surfer, and my board is 32" wide...

ps., I just finished my first year of SUP surfing...

Sean, we've got to get you out to the Hudson. Head up my way for some great flatwater.

sounds like fun!  Unfortunately my 10'6"  is in Massachusetts.

[Zooport]

I recently entered my first SUS contest.  I found it faster to prone paddle through the  waist to chest high sets then stand once I’m outside.   When the heat was over the judges reminded me that the rules state that the competitor needs to be paddling as much as possible, prone or knee paddling can lower a competitors score as wave transition from end of ride back out to lineup can be scored.

I would say, don't enter anymore contests. Just enjoy surfing.

That being said... If there is free beer envolved, then sign up.

Agree.  Contests are the most effective way to ruin your fun.  Just surf and enjoy the ocean. 

[Wetstuff]

I remember seeing this at the time... then, it popped up on my recent list. (K'rist.. YouTube knows how I get outside, not just what I watch!)



It looks like here ...no lanes ...ground rather than wind swell.  Guy #2 looks perhaps a recent proner conversion?  Guy #1 bails before he needs to late in the vid ...'maybe tired.  'Hope there are no rocks S. of them.

Jim

[Badger]

Why would they even bother surfing there? First wave they catch they will be right back inside and fighting their way out again. Hardly seems worth it to me.

[Ichabod Spoonbill]

On my Rockaway beach break high frequency wind swell, I do a lot of knee paddling if I am in the white water zone. I wait until I see a lull, pop on to my board, and knee paddle like hell. In the time it takes to stand and balance, I feel like I can get in 3 or 4 strokes. Once up, I generally try and get over the waves standing. Although in bigger foam balls, I jump off and grab the handle. I am getting more and more comfortable standing over the foam, and this topic is making me want to stand up more. I don't much like prone paddling, as I was never a surfer, and my board is 32" wide...

ps., I just finished my first year of SUP surfing...

Sean, we've got to get you out to the Hudson. Head up my way for some great flatwater.

sounds like fun!  Unfortunately my 10'6"  is in Massachusetts.

I have loaners!

[Area 10]

I remember seeing this at the time... then, it popped up on my recent list. (K'rist.. YouTube knows how I get outside, not just what I watch!)



It looks like here ...no lanes ...ground rather than wind swell.  Guy #2 looks perhaps a recent proner conversion?  Guy #1 bails before he needs to late in the vid ...'maybe tired.  'Hope there are no rocks S. of them.

Jim

That's exactly the circumstances where you *should* knee paddle. It is quicker than paddling any other way - if you train for it - and these guys would have saved themselves a lot of falls and general f*rting around. I surf most at a spot nearly a mile offshore and to get there have to pass through a very rippy and confused area. So I actually train to be able to knee paddle. If you get your whole body into it, it can be brutally effective over fairly short distances, and saves energy and your legs for actually surfing. Not everyone can do it, though. Some people just can't kneel comfortably on their board.

[Dusk Patrol]

Well that video is almost unwatchable... out of empathy...

Why wouldn't one paddle out on the knees? I guess I have some sort of internal calculus that goes on that lets me choose between knees and standing, and its often knees.   And part of that is, as Area 10 mentions, preserving my legs for surfing...