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How to Standup Paddle Surf - SUP
by David Dorn.
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Standup PADDLE Surfing is believed to be a modern revival of an
older surfing style from EARLY PART OF THE last century.
The original form of this sport may have come from fishermen
standing in their canoes and catching waves. This skill has now
evolved into the sport we now know as Standup paddle boarding. |
| Boards:
Standup Boards are wider than regular surfboards, and usually
have more volume. This adds to their stability at slow speeds.
This is known a static stability. The greater the static
stability the easier the board is to learn on. this simply put
means bigger is better. larger riders will want larger boards.
Longer is not always more stable. Mostly it is the width that
aids initial stability. Some boards are designed for cruising
along on relatively flat water, and some boards are designed for
riding breaking waves. The cruising boards may be longer, 12'6"
to 14'. Surfing SUP boards may be shorter 10' to 12'. Surfing
standup boards will also have increased nose rocker to reduce
pearling when dropping in on a steep wave. The board pictured
below is a Jimmy Lewis 11 footer. With an EVA foam deck pad. And
a DaKine board leash. This board is made from Styrofoam and
epoxy resin, so it is lightweight and strong. |
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Paddles:
Paddles are sometimes made of wood, or aluminum, or carbon
fiber. Standup paddles are similar to canoe paddles, but standup
paddles have longer shafts, so that the blade can reach down to
the water whilst the surfer is in the standing position.
Choosing your paddle length is a matter of preference. Most
surfers will have a paddle one shaka (8inches) taller than their
height. For flat-water coast running, I prefer a paddle 1.5
shakas taller than me (add 1foot). Most paddles can be
customized to the rider's height. I recommend having a few
sessions with your paddle before you cut it!
Tip: when learning you can wrap a layer of
Duct tape to the paddle blade's edge, so you don't scratch the
rails of your board. |
| Paddle blades are sometimes
swept forward. this gives the paddle some stability
during the stroke. The center of the blades resistance
is behind the direction of the shaft's movement. This
helps to keep the paddle blade perpendicular to the
stroke. When holding the paddle, make sure that the
blade is bent away from your toes as shown. |
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| Launching the
board: When entering the water, take the board
under your arm and walk straight in at 90 degrees to the
surf. Chose a place with an easy water entry point.
Preferably at a place with little or no shore-break. Holding
the nose of the board securely under your arm, in this way
will prevent the board from hitting your legs. Lead the
board into the water, and the tail will stay behind you.
Make sure you already have your board leash on, and that it
is long enough to let you stand this way. The tail of the
board will be dragging along the sand. Do not drag your
board over rocks. When you get beyond the first few waves
into waist to chest deep water, you can get on the board.
Paddle away from the beach quickly, so that you do not get
pushed back onto the beach by the waves. |
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| Pushing the
board? The pushing technique pictured here is not
recommended for beginners. The oncoming wave can sweep the
board to either side, or cause the tail to get pushed into
the surfer. If you are trying this technique you must keep
the board pointing directly at the wave, And with one rail
raised up so that the wave does not slam down on the deck. |
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Tail First
launch: One easy launch with small waves is to
drag the board into the water tail-first. Simply hold the
base of the board leash, and lift the fin off the ground and
pull the board into the water. Take care to only use this
method in small waves because the board can buck upwards and
wrench your arm if a large wave comes. Once in deep enough water,
this surfer turns the board around before jumping on. |
| Starting to
paddle: When you jump on the board you can
start paddling from the kneeling position. Hold the shaft of
the paddle and do some short strokes to get the board
moving. Holding the paddle low down on the shaft make it
easy to control the blade. Keep the board pointing into the
waves as you paddle away from shore.
Going over the
Waves: The board will go over
the waves more easily at 90 degrees. Try not to let the
board get side-on to the swell.
Alternating Strokes: You will have to paddle with an
alternating stroke. Paddle a few strokes on on side of
the board, and then you will change sides and paddle a few
strokes on the other side. This will keep the board pointing
in the intended direction. The board will do a slow s-shaped
path as you paddle along. Do two or three strokes per side,
and change the paddle to the other had, and do two-three
strokes on the opposite side of the board. |
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| Getting your
balance: When starting out try to find flat
water. It is easier to get your balance and coordination. Go
out early in the mornings to avoid as much wind as possible.
Wind makes paddling harder. and the water choppy. to get
your balance, start out in the kneeling position, and then
standup when you have more confidence. In the beginning, you
may get tired feet and legs, and can sit or kneel down to
rest. |
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Body position and
Stance: When climbing up to your feet, stand
halfway along the length of the board. a forward facing stance
is best. Place your feet a shoulder width apart, and keep your
knees bent slightly. Keep your eyes on the horizon to assist
with balance. and stay loose as the board goes over small waves.
Let the board move over the waves. Do not try to hold it super
steady. Reach with the paddle, and
do not over-commit your weight outside the board. As you take a
stroke with the paddle, the paddle will push back against you.
As you gain experience, you can anticipate the thrust from the
paddle and lean on it more.
You will find that you have more
stability when the paddle's blade is in the water. |
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Turning the Board:
make sure that you have plenty of room to turn around. To
maximize the time to turn before a wave, start turning as you
reach the crest of one wave to get the maximum time before the
next one comes. To turn the board you can paddle in a wide
stroke on one side of the board, and then the board will travel
forward in an arc. To do a faster turn you can backstroke on one
side and forward stroke on the other. practice turning when you
are on flat water. So that you are ready to turn quickly when
you are amongst waves. make sure that when you are turning that
you do not get the board sideways when the wave comes. |
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Catching Waves:
Start with small unbroken waves first. Start paddling along
before the wave gets under your board. Keep the board speed up
until the board is carried along by the wave. As you start
stroking the board will start to turn. Start at a slight angle,
so that the board will be pointing forwards as you reach the
face of the wave.
Use shorter faster strokes as you gain
speed. Keep the blade close to the board to keep the board in a
straight line.
Do a fast paddle change if you need to
change paddling sides, so that you do not loose speed.
Shift your stance so that your back foot
moves back slightly to prepare for the thrust of the wave. Keep
your weight low and lean onto your front foot as the wave hits
you.
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| Safety Tips:
Do not dive off the
board head-first in shallow water. When you fall off the board
stay shallow. If you have to jump off the board feet first, be
sure to bend your knees. Try to fall toward the wave so that the
board gets pushed away from you. Do not fall onto your paddle
(it can hurt). If you drop your paddle, you can paddle your
standup board just like a regular surfboard. Wear booties to
protect your feet. Avoid crowds, and swimmers. But it is better
to go with a buddy. Avoid shorebreak. Do not go out in strong
offshore winds. Make sure you are fit for
standup-paddle-surfing, before attempting it. Be sure you can
swim confidently, because sometimes you will get separated from
your board. Wear a buoyancy jacket if going a long way from
shore. Do not paddle farther from shore than you can swim. Get
lessons from an experienced instructor. Respect the ocean and
its inhabitants. Always watch the weather. If in doubt of your
abilities, do not go out! |
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Written by David
Dorn copyright 2007, 2009 all rights reserved. |
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