Paddle boarding newbies can sometimes be seen pootling along merrily, smiles on their faces and enjoying the moment. However, look closer and you may see the rider’s paddle around the wrong way.
When paddling in a straight line the blade’s rake (the angle it bends) should be away from you. This helps with reach and extending your stroke before catching (plunging the blade in the water). It also means as you pull through the stroke the move is efficient. With blade’s the wrong way round you end up pulling the water upwards thereby stalling momentum and potentially straining muscles.
One of the most useful parts of paddle boarding is to fully submerge your blade. Oftentimes beginner paddle boarders barely touch the water. Tickling it, so to speak, and still expecting to generate drive and propulsion. This won’t happen unless you have the whole of your blade in the water as you catch and pull.
When turning your SUP, or manoeuvring it, you (again) need to have that blade sunk. Otherwise, leverage will be lost. This can be especially important if you’re paddle boarding with wind or current in the mix. Being able to turn your board in these situations is imperative from a SUP safety point of view. As is being able to paddle against headwinds if the breeze should come up. Weather conditions in the UK can, after all, change quickly.
When piloting your SUP you should be focusing on fluid and efficient movements. It’s all very well giving it the Alpha Male style and trying to brute force but if the results don’t reflect the input it’s a waste of time.
A refined, technique-led approach is what’s needed concerning paddle boarding technique. Paddling technique specifically is a very ‘less is more’ situation. Once you understand the biomechanics and what you should be doing. Hence why having a qualified instructor show you the ropes is the best course of action. You can find the McConks list of preferred suppliers here.
How you stand on your paddle board is important. There’s often a misconception that riders should stand with their feet parallel and not deviate from this. The fact is: some can’t stand and paddle like this as they find it unstable. In which case, offsetting your foot placement slightly is perfectly OK and will give much better balance.
SUP surfers have their feet planted along the board’s centreline. This gives great stability when riding waves. For general recreation paddle boarding, however, it’s probably a bit much. Instead, keep your stance fluid. Be proactive and move your feet nose to tail, tail to nose and rail rail. This will affect the board’s trim (positively and negatively) and side-to-side stability. Experiment to see which delivers best results in terms of board performance. It’ll also help your overall SUP board control.
As one of the heaviest parts of your body, your head can interact positively or negatively with your stand up paddle boarding. Depending what you do with it. For instance: if you stare at your feet not only will your vision be impaired but your piloting skills will suffer.
One example of how using your head for an effective paddle boarding technique can help is by looking up and securing your vision on the horizon. Automatically your body will open up and not be hunched over. This gives a more dynamic paddling position and will be more stable. Turning your SUP can be helped by the head also. Looking in the direction of travel can improve your paddle boarding technique.
Relying on your arms and shoulders to paddle will eventually cause overexertion and potential injury. Also, the muscles in your arms aren’t as powerful as your core. Which is where the majority of your paddling power needs to come from.
Having your SUP gear set up correctly is super important for correct paddle boarding technique.
The SUP pivot turn paddle boarding technique is a vital core skill that all SUP riders should have under their belt. Whatever style of SUP you ride and whatever type of stand up activity you subscribe to, the pivot turn will get you out of potential sticky situations, put you on your chosen path quickly and get you into position more effectively.
Good paddle boarding technique is essential for all riders of all levels. It’s the way to maximise your paddle boarding sessions, enjoy them to the full and not overexert yourself and pick up niggling injuries.
As stated above getting some coaching is by far the easiest way to understand paddle boarding technique and what you should be doing. Check out the McConks preferred supplier list here.
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