[SeaCliff]

This is an old article from the "Confessions of a Novice Surfer" blog - but it hits on a lot of good points and is well worth posting again - esp as we come into late spring and summer and the lineups once again turn into...well...we know what they turn in to!

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http://novicesurf.blogspot.com/2004/11/paddling-out-youre-their-worst-enemy.html


Without question, the main thing you need to keep in mind is to stay  out of or get out of the way of those who may  be coming down the line in front of you as you paddle out. Other than  dropping in on someone else's wave, this is the biggest cardinal sin of  surfing and a gross breach of surf etiquette.

Pick and choose your path  to the outside with care. Time your launch into the the surf zone when there is a lull between sets. Or, if possible, just paddle around  the surf zone and make your way from the far side to place yourself in  the lineup. This will really only work on a point or reef break where  the wave breaks in single spot. You do not want to endanger yourself or  other surfers.

So here are some tips I use to reduce my chances  of getting in someone else's way while I paddle out:

• Find  the least congested path to the outside. Make sure you take into  consideration where surfers will be should waves start  coming in while you're paddling and surfers start catching them and  begin coming at you.
• Time it. Plain and simple, wait for a lull  if you can then haul ass. You will spend less time flailing around in  the wash endangering other people (and yourself!).
• If your  timing fails, you find yourself in the middle of a set and there is a  surfer coming down the line at you, point your board in the direction  from which they came and start paddling to the wash so they can  complete their ride without having to take you in to consideration.  "What?! I'll get pummeled by the white water!" Exactly. You did the  right thing and hopefully someone will return the favor. If not, you've  got some surf karma coming your way.
• If it is absolutely safe  and clear to the outside (no surfers up and running in your vicinity)  and you find yourself looking eye to eye with a walled up wave ready to  crush you, consider turning up the juice and trying to paddle over it or  pierce through it if you can. I use to freak out in those situations.  Not realizing the dynamics of the wave, I'd give up, ditch my board  (don't be that guy!) and swim under them. That just sucks and don't do  this. I've since learned that I had more ways to clear it than I  thought. A little hint: You don't have to make it over the wave  unscathed to clear it without much problem. Paddle your hardest up the  face and if it starts to pitch on you, hang on to the front 1/4 of your  board with everything you've got, duck your head and pierce through the  remaining face. You may lose some ground but not as much as you  think.
• Do not ditch your board under any circumstances. OK,  occasionally you will, but if you keep thinking in the aformentioned  mode, you'll do it less often. :-)

You know one thing about  paddling in general I've learned. I see folks who are exhausting  themselves paddling like a maniac either paddling out or paddling in to a  wave [unsuccessfully]. If there is one word I can place in your head  each time you move your arm to paddle, that would be - make sure each stroke is deliberate. It's not the quantity of your  stroke(s), it's the quality. I can now cover as much ground or generate  as much speed with 6 strokes as I used to be able to do with 10 strokes.  Do the math. I'm not as tired anymore.

It's kind of ethereal  since it's all by feel, but, just make sure you are pushing water when  you stroke rather than slapping or splashing water. Concentrate on  completing your stroke by following through till your arm is completely  extended behind you. It'll make a huge difference.

If you want a  more advanced tip for paddling: Use an "S" stroke with your arms.  With your right arm, make your stroke look like an "S". With your left  arm, draw it as a mirror image.

One more thing about paddling...

If  you are reading this you are either a beginner or a novice. That being  said, you have no business being in any surf over 4ft. Matter of fact, a  beginner should be in nothing over 2ft. Given we're not trying to  tackle 10ft surf out there, don't be afraid to let the wave work you.  Mentally prepare for it. I do. I am constantly saying to myself, "well,  I'm about to get pummeled." And you know what? It's never as bad as I  expect. With that attitude, you may even enjoy it as you marvel at  Mother Nature.

Also, open your eyes when you're underwater. It  helps relieve some of the chaos. I remember one day out at El Porto, I got caught inside with a  chest high wave about to beat my ass. I tried to pierce through the face  but the wave was strong enough to rip the board out of my hands. As I  went under, I opened my eyes just as the wave caught my board and drug  me backwards a few yards underwater. It was cool because it looked  similar to a slingshot underwater flinging me in reverse. I could see  little air bubbles trailing behind me (or in front of my face in this  case) as I sped backwards. Anyway, open your eyes and let these little  waves have their way with you. You'll survive and you'll really  appreciate the skill these guys have who tackle the big ones.

Cheers!

[Looseness]

I really like this. Excellent information. 

[Uncle Buck]

At the surf camp I attended last week, my instructor talked me through some "surf science" as he puts it. Things like how sand bars work and the corresponding rips, etc. When we got to paddling, he taught me to paddle more like climbing up a wall (though laying down of course) then like swimming. Basically not extending my arms past my sholders. Its kind of hard to write but I did it and is seems to work. All my instructors thought that I had pretty good paddling speed. I told them that I have been paddeling in full rubber and on a board about a 1 foot shorting all winter, so paddling in a rashguard and a 10' soft top is so much easier.
 
This paddling technique and learning to save my engery by waiting for the lulls to paddle back out, really helped extend my sessions. I still had to turtle quite a few times.
 
Anyway, does anyone else have an options on the "climibing the wall" paddling style?
 
-UB (Slow day at work)

[flower box]

that was uber helpful, thanks for posting it!

[Looseness]

At the surf camp I attended last week, my instructor talked me through some "surf science" as he puts it. Things like how sand bars work and the corresponding rips, etc. When we got to paddling, he taught me to paddle more like climbing up a wall (though laying down of course) then like swimming. Basically not extending my arms past my sholders. Its kind of hard to write but I did it and is seems to work. All my instructors thought that I had pretty good paddling speed. I told them that I have been paddeling in full rubber and on a board about a 1 foot shorting all winter, so paddling in a rashguard and a 10' soft top is so much easier.
 
This paddling technique and learning to save my engery by waiting for the lulls to paddle back out, really helped extend my sessions. I still had to turtle quite a few times.
 
Anyway, does anyone else have an options on the "climibing the wall" paddling style?
 
-UB (Slow day at work)

I paddle a lot like I swim, extending my arms pretty far forward and it seems to work well for me. I think I may not go as far forward when sprinting to catch a wave, but I still go past my shoulders. I've heard people dispute the effectiveness of this....I seem to do alright. I think the main thing is feeling like your catching/pulling water. I see people caressing the water like it's their cat and asking why they aren't catching waves or going anywhere....

[rockyveiga]

this week i was really challenged with paddling out in CR. at the little secret spot we were at the waves were soft but big (swell was overhead by the end of the week). this required patience and focus as the paddle out was brutal (just over 1/4 mile) and timing was essential.


i was using the deep strokes (like loose was describing) and the 'S' technique. it seemed to work for me and those conditions. my arms are super tired now... surfed every day for at least 2-3 hr sessions, sometimes twice a day.


good article SC. thanks for posting that.

[the Kook]

At the surf camp I attended last week, my instructor talked me through some "surf science" as he puts it. Things like how sand bars work and the corresponding rips, etc. When we got to paddling, he taught me to paddle more like climbing up a wall (though laying down of course) then like swimming. Basically not extending my arms past my sholders. Its kind of hard to write but I did it and is seems to work. All my instructors thought that I had pretty good paddling speed. I told them that I have been paddeling in full rubber and on a board about a 1 foot shorting all winter, so paddling in a rashguard and a 10' soft top is so much easier.
 
This paddling technique and learning to save my engery by waiting for the lulls to paddle back out, really helped extend my sessions. I still had to turtle quite a few times.
 
Anyway, does anyone else have an options on the "climibing the wall" paddling style?
 
-UB (Slow day at work)

I paddle a lot like I swim, extending my arms pretty far forward and it seems to work well for me. I think I may not go as far forward when sprinting to catch a wave, but I still go past my shoulders. I've heard people dispute the effectiveness of this....I seem to do alright. I think the main thing is feeling like your catching/pulling water. I see people caressing the water like it's their cat and asking why they aren't catching waves or going anywhere....

I paddle the same way as Looseness.  The concept of not extending past you shoulders wastes a lot of potential "pull".  Doesn't make a lot of sense to me. 

[Uncle Buck]

My instructors thinking was like this. Try standing up and putting your arms down next to your sides, palms back. Then lift your arms (palms facing up) behind you. It is hard to explain. But you will feel resistance. Our arms are not designed to bend that way. He philosophy was to maximize your stroke and to make each (and whole) stroke count. So instead of bringing your arm back and then around, you "claw and scratch" through the water.
 
I don't know. Like I said, it is hard to explain. Maybe I will get to try it out again sometime this week.
 
-UB

[SeaCliff]

At the surf camp I attended last week, my instructor talked me through some "surf science" as he puts it. Things like how sand bars work and the corresponding rips, etc. When we got to paddling, he taught me to paddle more like climbing up a wall (though laying down of course) then like swimming. Basically not extending my arms past my sholders. Its kind of hard to write but I did it and is seems to work. All my instructors thought that I had pretty good paddling speed. I told them that I have been paddeling in full rubber and on a board about a 1 foot shorting all winter, so paddling in a rashguard and a 10' soft top is so much easier.
 
This paddling technique and learning to save my engery by waiting for the lulls to paddle back out, really helped extend my sessions. I still had to turtle quite a few times.
 
Anyway, does anyone else have an options on the "climibing the wall" paddling style?
 
-UB (Slow day at work)

I paddle a lot like I swim, extending my arms pretty far forward and it seems to work well for me. I think I may not go as far forward when sprinting to catch a wave, but I still go past my shoulders. I've heard people dispute the effectiveness of this....I seem to do alright. I think the main thing is feeling like your catching/pulling water. I see people caressing the water like it's their cat and asking why they aren't catching waves or going anywhere....

I paddle the same way as Looseness.  The concept of not extending past you shoulders wastes a lot of potential "pull".  Doesn't make a lot of sense to me. 

The way I've heard this argument described is classic quality vs. quantity - I *may* have a technically better stroke by getting full extension, but I'll get more strokes in by not extending much past my shoulder, and more strokes theoretically can build momentum faster for short bursts.

Observationally, it *appears* to me that shorter, more frequent strokes are the way to go, but personally, I can't break the habit of long strokes.

[Shacky]

Good article on surfline.
 
http://www.surfline.com/surf-news/surfline-health--fitness-paddle-power-advice-from-the-worlds-best-on-how-to-maximize-your-stroke_41384/

[theusername]

Good article on surfline.
 
http://www.surfline.com/surf-news/surfline-health--fitness-paddle-power-advice-from-the-worlds-best-on-how-to-maximize-your-stroke_41384/

sounds like they all advocate a what amounts to a modified swimming stroke for maximum efficiency and power.

personally that's what i favor. from watching some of the really good and extremely fast swimmers i've trained with, generally they don't look like they're doing any work but, they glide longer and faster than the guy who's scratching away at the water without full extension and proper body positioning. it's especially amusing when some slightly chubby and shorter former competitive swimmer just smokes the dude who looks more physically fit due to superior technique and muscle memory.

[snaggletooth]

Good article on surfline.
 
[url=http://www.surfline.com/surf-news/surfline-health--fitness-paddle-power-advice-from-the-worlds-best-on-how-to-maximize-your-stroke_41384/]http://www.surfline.com/surf-news/surfline-health--fitness-paddle-power-advice-from-the-worlds-best-on-how-to-maximize-your-stroke_41384/[/url]

sounds like they all advocate a what amounts to a modified swimming stroke for maximum efficiency and power.

personally that's what i favor. from watching some of the really good and extremely fast swimmers i've trained with, generally they don't look like they're doing any work but, they glide longer and faster than the guy who's scratching away at the water without full extension and proper body positioning. it's especially amusing when some slightly chubby and shorter former competitive swimmer just smokes the dude who looks more physically fit due to superior technique and muscle memory.

it seems true for surfers, too. doesn't look like they are doing any work, and they're into the wave effortlessly that others are absolutley scratching to get into.
 
i didn't realize, but i guess i also follow along the same lines as following the swimming stroke - i definitely bring my hand along my body (or, underneath the stringer), with the hand changing depth as it travels down the stringer, etc. it just naturally feels more powerful.
 
i wish i were in the water right now and not staring at a computer....

[Looseness]

My instructors thinking was like this. Try standing up and putting your arms down next to your sides, palms back. Then lift your arms (palms facing up) behind you. It is hard to explain. But you will feel resistance. Our arms are not designed to bend that way. He philosophy was to maximize your stroke and to make each (and whole) stroke count. So instead of bringing your arm back and then around, you "claw and scratch" through the water.
 
I don't know. Like I said, it is hard to explain. Maybe I will get to try it out again sometime this week.
 
-UB

I read this three times and still can not make sense of it. Why the hell would you have your palms facing behind you when you lift your arms?
That isn't what happens when you swim or paddle.
I have no problem lifting my arms straight up, palms forward as I do when swimming freestyle. No resistance, feels fine.

Like theusername said, they all seem to advocate a long stroke on that Surfline article. It makes sense to me. I feel the same glide when I paddle like that as I do when swimming {more than when I swim actually}. I have had the joy of being smoked in the pool by those slightly chubby guys theusername describes who look like they are doing nothing, but are FLYING up and down the lanes because they are so efficient. While surfing I have {long stroke} paddled past some people who are using really short strokes when fighting the drift.

 Some have said that the longer stroke for surfing can cause shoulder problems, I would say that is more because of imbalance of musculature not the stroke itself. It stopped hurting when you shortened your stroke? Now you have a less efficient stroke. Better to do some exercises and stretches to balance out and maintain the muscles than just stop using certain muscles forever because you had overuse issues.   

[theusername]

i wish i were in the water right now and not staring at a computer....

meh. me too, but i have to substitute the pool for my water time until... 2.5 more months... (though realistically a bit longer... baby = most wonderful thing ever! but not surfing also sucks.)

Some have said that the longer stroke for surfing can cause shoulder problems, I would say that is more because of imbalance of musculature not the stroke itself.

i really think those people may also have poor technique and do not originate their movements from their core. there was a time where i was clocking over 15,000 yds in the pool per week as well as surfing every chance i got. no injuries, no pain at all, and when i did have a problem, checking in with a coach who spotted technique flaws fixed it every time. even on a surfboard you can generate most of your propulsion from the core leaving less work for the shoulders to do. actually when i'm swimming and paddling properly my arms usually don't get tired at all. it's when i lose my stroke in either setting that i start feeling shoulder burn.

[snaggletooth]

i wish i were in the water right now and not staring at a computer....

meh. me too, but i have to substitute the pool for my water time until... 2.5 more months... (though realistically a bit longer... baby = most wonderful thing ever! but not surfing also sucks.)
 

that's awesome! you really aren't missing all that much surf, anyway, and you'll be super strong when you come back. so baby is due late july / early august?