Stand Up Paddle > Technique
Back to basics: feet—shoulder or hip width apart?
Wetstuff:
First time back on the water since last October... Robert's Multi-Tasker was a good choice as it is stable enough to land FA-18s on, atop doing all its other chores well. I had to remind myself to never set my heels ...for me, that's a quick trip off the back.
BUT... I want to refine things with correct foot placement. Early days I was like on a Bongo Board with my feet near the rails of even a 32" board overreacting to any chop. Mostly, they are shoulder-wide. But, would it be better if they were less wide?
I tried waist-width some and it seemed the board was more active, but not unstable. I am comfortable with shoulder-width but would force myself to learn another position if it was ultimately more stable. We get some 2-3 swell conditions where it is 'victory at sea' outside the break; I need all the stability I can muster.
Jim
Night Wing:
This might help you out. It is called "lateral stability" and it works for small boards. However, I've found it works for me with my 11'1" x 30" board.
I had to get used to the 30" width and where to place my feet. This helped me with a parallel stance for flat water paddling as well as a modified surf stance when also flat water paddling.
Works for me also when I'm sup surfing down at the upper Texas coast.
https://www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/SUP/Mastering-lateral-balance-on-a-small-SUP-board
Wetstuff:
That's a 'bookmark', Winger... Thanks. It's a shame Colas is not with us over here. He, Rick Weeks and a few others are real contributors. A forum needs participation-input or it simply dries up. Thanks again.
Jim
PonoBill:
I try to get my feet as close to the stringer as I can manage given conditions. When I start getting a little wobbly I narrow my stance. It's counter-intuitive, but it works.
supsean:
--- Quote from: Night Wing on May 08, 2019, 09:47:13 AM ---
https://www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/SUP/Mastering-lateral-balance-on-a-small-SUP-board
--- End quote ---
This was a help, as I recently moved down to a 30" board. Getting my feet closer together keeps me upright on my narrower board. On a wider board, it wasn't as important, but I wonder if I try a narrower stance on that board? I'll have to give it a try.
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