how deep to paddle

[WindJunkie]

DavidJohn
Checked out your videos.  Your top hand looks like in a good position during your powerstroke.  Definitely some windmilling during your return.  See how your top hand and arm goes way outside?  Your bottom hand is actually coming inside of the bounds of your body.  Any shoulder problems yet? 

What is it like paddling with crocs?  I had considered it once after getting my foot sliced on some coral.  Does it affect your balance at all?  How about swimming with them?

[DavidJohn]

Thanks for you tips WindJunkie..much appreciated..

Just wondering what you mean by 'windmilling'

Also..at the point were I bring the paddle out of the water should the bottom hand swing out leaving the top hand still or visaversa...or a bit of both.

Yes..I have had a little shoulder pain..but from an old injury I think..(ceiling painting can be a bugger)..and I know how painful rotator cuff problems can be...I've never really got back to 100%.

This is why I want to get the right technique and not do any more harm.

I often paddle daily on flat water and get to the surf when I can..My daily routine is about 2-3 hours and I often have to battle headwinds and work it really hard...It's all good training for the surf..and for fitness.

Re the Crocs...They are very soft..cumee and grippy..and great for long flat water paddles.

When I first got my NSP board (that was all I could buy at the time down under) I could not buy deck pads and I was not keen on wax..so I gave the crocs a go..It really surprised me how well they grip to a slick smooth surface..almost too grippy.

I used my crocs for more than 6 months until I stuck on a yoga mat..(that was the best I could do)..Deck pads have only just become available here in the last few months..and jeez are they expensive..

Crocs grip almost too well for use in the surf..and I have wiped out and come up to find a croc floating nearby.. ..so the do come off..But there are new ones out now with a draw string around the ankle.

I still use them now even with my yoga mat on if I have to walk a fair way carrying my board..or if where I'm paddling is rocky..Falling in shallow water on rocks is not much fun..ether are foot cuts.

cheers..and thanks again for your info.

DJ



 

[flipperade]

Never tried Crocs but I often surf when over jagged rock or reef in the summer (in winter its 7mm boots I live in Wales) with reef boots/shoes on. They give grip protect your feet and dont come off  and let your toes and feet splay properly so you can "feel" the board, go for ones with a split big toe.

Only just started Suping so still in full winter gear but in the summer I will wear them a lot especially as the weight of carrying a  SUP if on rock or worn concrete launching ramps could cause ball of foot or heel bruises (I hate those).

Check out your local surf stores/internet they arnt expensive   .

Cheers

Ade (South Wales, UK)

[teatrea]

went for a paddle last night to do some experementing with my stroke , i seemed to go faster when i shortened the length of my stoke , and also using a j stroke pattern seemed to help. 

[PonoBill]

Most people can accelerate faster with a short stroke, but use a longer stroke for maintaining speed. I spent some time with one of the coaches who teaches kids to paddle here in Maui--he says none of the SUP guys he sees know anything about paddling except Dave Kalama. I'm going to try to make a video with this guy next week if we can hook up. What he showed me so far makes me feel pretty good about my old "how to paddle straight" video. I also used some of his information in the introduction of the Paddle showcase. http://www.kenalu.com/2008/03/2008-maui-paddle-showcase/

From what I've learned so far, your paddle technique depends a lot on your physique, fitness, and nature. Some people are efficient doing things fast, others do better digging. the diggers need paddles that catch hard so the can pull them with maximum power. Fast people need paddles that catch soft so they can apply power when the paddle reaches the middle of the stroke and release the paddle quickly to get the next stroke started.

Most people need to get the paddle closer to the board to reduce the turning force, and that means getting the paddle well under the water, but some people like a variable resistance, which is what ottertails and long blades are about. You start the catch with a small section of blade, and as you push down with your upper hand during the stroke the paddle gets deeper into the water for more power.

[WindJunkie]

This reminds me of what one of the analogies my paddling coach gave us the other day.  He said if you want the canoe to move fast you want to be quick in the water.  The analogy he used was spinning a basketball on your finger.  If you watch someone doing it they're tapping the the ball quickly not reaching far around the ball and holding on for 180 degrees. 

Additionally, going too long on your stroke (past your feet) end up pulling your board down and dragging down your speed.