In surfing, the technique of paddling is one of the most fundamental things you will need to learn to do. Paddling helps you move forward if you want to catch those waves you’ve wanted to surf. Surfer Today claims that learning to paddle will make you a better surfer because it will help you get to the peak, move around to find a better position, triangulate, and catch waves. To become a better surfer, you will need to be a better paddler. I’m here to show you how to do it.
Minimize Resistance
Understanding the concept of resistance is a key factor in improving your paddling technique, according to Barefoot Surf Tutorials. Many things can affect resistance, also known as a drag when you are paddling your surfboard. Some of these include your surfboard’s nose, your legs, your arms, and your surfboard’s rails. If there is a lot of resistance when you are paddling, it is only slowing you down.
One way to minimize resistance when you are surfing is to improve your stance on your surfboard. You need to be in the right positions, both horizontally and vertically. This is also known as the “sweet spot” of the surfboard. Two things that can affect the amount of drag you are experiencing when you are paddling are how your weight is distributed on the surfboard; and how you lay your chest down on the surfboard.
Proper Positioning
In this section, I am going to cover the two most important positions when paddling. These positions are the horizontal position and the vertical position. The importance of proper positioning when trying to improve your paddling technique is that the correct positions help to both minimize drag and maximize propulsion.
The proper vertical positioning will require you to do the following:
● Keep your back arched.
● Make sure that he knows of your surfboard is out of the water.
● Keep your head up by pretending that there is a ball under your chin.
Now that I’ve told you how to use the proper vertical position, I am going to tell you how to ensure that you are using the proper horizontal position. Here is how you utilize the proper horizontal position:
● Make sure that your body is positioned horizontally at the center of your surfboard.
● Ensure that your body is perfectly balanced.
● Make sure that the stringer is running perfectly straight along the center of your body.
As you can see, your body positioning will greatly affect how well or how poor your paddling technique is. Always make sure that you are using the proper body positioning when you are paddling out that way if you want to catch so badly.
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Maximize Propulsion
Mastering the correct paddling technique will allow you to maximize propulsion. The main reason that you should want to maximize your propulsion is to get the most out of every paddle stroke. This is done by maximizing the surface area that pushes the water underneath the surface area of the ocean. You can push more water by increasing the surface area that you are reaching. The more you improve your paddling technique, the better surfer you will become.
One of the most common mistakes made when paddling is the surfer splashing lots of water when their arm penetrates the ocean. You should be practicing paddling with a smooth glide instead. Cupping your hand is also a common mistake made when learning to paddle. When you cup in your hand, you are reducing the amount of surface area that can be pushed under the water. Your arms should also be relaxed when you are paddling, instead of keeping a lot of tension in them. All of these things factor into your ability to maximize your propulsion when you are paddling.
Exercise
Believe it or not, there are exercises that you can do that will help you in your paddling technique. According to Original Surf Morocco, one great exercise that you can use to improve your paddling is the hover push-up.
Here’s how to do it:
● Get in the push-up position with your arms a little wider than your shoulders.
● Go down far enough that your upper arm is parallel to the ground.
● Once you are down, move your body to the left and the right.
● Repeat this 14 times to complete one set.
The strength of your triceps and also determine the effectiveness of your paddling. This exercise helps you to build strength in your shoulders and your arms, which will vastly improve your paddling technique. The tricep dip will also help to strengthen your core.
This is how you do it:
● Start by sitting on the floor with your feet flat, and your hands near your glutes.
● Raise your hips from the floor.
● Bend and extend your elbow slowly, lowering yourself to the floor.
● Straighten your arms, bringing yourself back to the starting position.
● Do this exercise 14 times to complete one set.
These are just a few exercises that will help you build strength, inevitably benefiting your paddling technique as well. There are many other exercises you can do to help your paddling. The main goal is to build strength in your arms and in your shoulders, which will help you to push more water under the surface. Used in conjunction with the proper paddling techniques oh, you will see great results and improvements in your paddling.
Conclusion
Proper paddling is an essential technique that must be learned correctly when you are surfing. Without paddling, you will not be able to catch the big waves. By minimizing resistance; making sure that your body is positioned properly; using exercise to help strengthen your shoulders, arms, and core; and maximizing propulsion, you will be able to paddle more effectively sooner than you think. All that’s left to do is to wish you good luck catching and riding those big waves that your improved paddling will lead you towards.
Please note: This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Please consult a legal expert or medical professional to address your specific needs.