This is absolutely the best explanation of SUP paddling I’ve found! As a Clinical Exercise Physiologist, I love the detailed breakdown of all of the angles of movement with the clear explanation of how each element of the stroke technique shown contributes to efficient movement. Thank you for putting the work into this.
After many years kayaking, I started taking up SUP. I thought SUP would be simpler than kayaking, but boy was I wrong. Wind is the difference maker. Because of lower windage, you can go out in a kayak with sloppier technique. Unless it is calm, paddling a SUP requires good technique to even make headway.
Good comment, Yeah it different but good at the same time. You have to think about your paddling conditions in a different way. And really get your stroke nailed. This video may help too : ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-96shOg_8e6Q.html thanks Reuben
I owned a folding kayak for a decade and I find iSUPing simpler because I can get on the water much more quickly. It's true the wind is more of a factor, but it's possible to get quite low on a SUP.
Just tried sup first time yesterday, the 2 hours really worked me up! The hardest part was to move in a straight line, the wind kept pushing me away from my course.
Amazing to hear it was your fist time! Hope you enjoyed it and keep going back for more. The wind is your enemy on a SUP, so try and paddle where there is not much wind next time.
Thank you for posting this video. However, your model, although using the hips some, is flexing and sidebending the lumbar spine rather than keeping it straight. Bending your knees will allow a better hip hinge and a straighter lumbar spine.
Thanks for the tip. We agree that being your knees a little more will improve this movement, and can also enhance your balance. It definitely comes into play a lot more when paddling faster and adding more pressure to your muscles. Thanks, Beau
Thanks for all your videos, both instructional and reviews! One question about the paddle grip, just like you do here most recommendations says paddle on your head and 90-degree elbows. However when they then paddle, it appears like they have quite closer grip than what the 90-degree elbows would be. Same thing here in your video. Is this just an illusion in the video or are you actually using a closer grip?
Hi Ulf, great spot and good question. the paddle grip with 90-degree elbows is a great start for beginner paddlers learning to SUP. Once you begin to progress with your paddling, you may find that the grip evolves to suit your paddling style. If I am cruising my local waterway and taking it easy, my grip may be less than 90-degrees. But if I'm in the waves or surf, my grip extends a little further than 90-degress for leverage and speed. Hope this helps. Beau
Glad you liked it! A good, lightweight paddle will speed up your paddling cadence. it will also be kinder on your muscles and arms so you can paddle for longer. If you have never used a good paddle, once you do you will never go back. Yes, the position will affect your speed and efficiency. If you are too far forward or back, the board pushes water and creates drag. There is definitely a sweet spot on every board and this can change between boards too. Try a few positions on the board and then take a few strokes to see how far you glide. Hope this helps. Thanks, Beau
My wife tried it today. I tried to tell her, that she held the paddle in the wrong direction, but I couldn’t explain to her WHY, cause I don’t even know why. Can someone explain to me why her way was wrong…? 😅
All about positive blade angles which will give you better control, power and ease of use. If you have it around the wrong way (which can look like the right way for a lot of us), you'll notice the blade 'lifting' the water during the stroke and facing upwards toward the tail - this is negative blade angle. Hope that explains it? Thanks, Beau
The blade should angle away from you. A good example can be found here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ipqSZH9jomY.html at 1:12. Thanks, Beau
Hi there, I'm confused as I intuively thought the paddle is held the way you hold it, but after watching some videos they said you hold it the other way which I thought was strange. However you seem to hold it the way I thought was intuitive, so now I don't know which it is?
It gets technical, but the blade angled away is the right way. It's all about positive blade angle in the water when paddling to maximise speed, power and efficiency.
Hey Andrew, not sure if you are a SUPboarder Pro member but this is the video you need to see: www.supboardermag.com/2018/07/28/sup-paddle-strokes-using-the-c-stroke-how-to-video/ If not you can still sign up for free for two weeks watch the video and cancel the subscription after lol. But the C stroke is the manoeuvre to do and the matter what size board I can get going in a straight line. Thanks Reuben
Hey Tim. I have to admit it does it is hard to tell in the first section. But I can guarantee the paddle is not the wrong way round. If any of our team were caught using their paddle backwards it would be a sacking offence! Especially during a how to paddle like a pro video. 😂 Thanks Reuben
Positive and Negative are terms we use to make it easier to understand the angle of the blade in the water. A neutral angle (0˚) is when the paddle is at our feet in the water. We want to focus on having a positive angle on the blade when paddling (power phase from the catch to our feet). Hope that helps. Beau
I’m new to SUP and only have about 5 hours experience. I do get a lot of upper back soreness afterward - I think bc I’m leaning too far back and not using more core? I’m trying to figure out if I’m using too much arm strength and not driving my my core and hips.
Hi John, couple of things could be at play here. First thing would be to check your paddle length. Upper back and shoulder problems arise from having a paddle that is too long. You check this video for approximate paddle heights - but remember it is personal preference and you may need to go shorter (or at least try a shorter paddle): supboardermag.com/2021/05/08/correct-paddle-height-how-to-find-the-right-height-for-your-sup-paddle/ Secondly, it could be your technique that is causing upper back pain. Try straightening your arms when you paddle so you have to engage your core. Hope these tips help and good luck! Thanks, Beau
I notice that your paddle starts pretty close to bow and I wonder if I'm to far back on the board, but I find myself more balanced slightly further back. I see the difference @ 5:45 pushing the water out to much, but boy that person is sure going straight to me ha, ha,..
Haha, thanks for the comment. Your feet should be near the handle on the board. Slightly in front or behind it depending on the shape of the board and how it moves in the water. Also try to change your technique as mentioned in the video to help with your reach during the paddle stroke. If you feel comfortable where you are standing, then that's great as it needs to be enjoyable too! Hope this helps. Thanks, Beau
I bought my first SUP, and just finished the inflation and my arms r burning lol. I’m taking it in the Delaware bay for first venture out. Wish me luck
What would make me slap the side of my board all the time. I make sure the blade is going into the water the right way but for some reason i seem to always hit my board half way through my paddle :), I love sup no matter how hard it is.
It could be that you are over rotating your wrists when you put the paddle in the water, causing the paddle blade to enter on an angle and as it corrects, it hits the board. The paddle blade should pulled perpendicular to the board (if that makes sense?). Your top hand may also move causing the paddle blade to move as well. Hope you're able to correct it soon! Thanks, Beau
Question. Would a possition with one foot in front of the other (left foot in front when you paddle from the right side like they do on canoe racing) be a bad idea? Even a slight lunge possition? having your both legs up to the waist glued to the board while leaning your torso to the side seems a bit awkward and unnatural to me. Is ballance an issue? Have you ever tried similar technique on a sup?
Good question Szymon. Some top races do actually paddle with a slightly offset stance as you are describing. It will make you have a slightly further reach and a more powerful stroke but you will have to change your feet each time you change your stroke and if you are changing your stroke side often this can make it less efficient. It is a very good technique if you are trying to sprint over a shorter distance in racing or potentially catching a wave. So yes it can be done, give it a go and see what you think, but I think for a longer distance paddling is probably easier to keep your feet in parallel stance unless you are trying to put more power into your paddling for maybe example... pushing up into wind. thanks Reuben
@@SUPboardermag So it seems more efficient in therms of speed and power. Also seems more natural although it works if you have a long board and decent technique so you dont change sides frequently as you said. Also if there are no waves and you have good balance you can sort of quick jump to change legs. Outside of that it seems less stable.
