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Outdoor Education…Character development through the outdoors
Moving out through the waves
Moving out through the waves
Always keep yourself between the wave and your surfboard. NEVER let go of your board when other surfers are around!
Paddle Technique
Paddle Technique
Best Paddling Technique = Minimizing Resistance + Maximizing Propulsion
The better you paddle, the more waves you catch and the quicker you progress. If you want to paddle efficiently on your shortboard or longboard, there’s two things you have to do:
Minimize Resistance (or drag). This is done by having the correct positioning on your surfboard.
Maximize Propulsion. You will do this by having the proper paddling technique.
Quick Tip 1
Make sure your nose is 1 – 2 inches out of the water when your back is arched.
Quick Tips 2
Keep your feet together to make sure you don’t compensate an unbalanced position with lower body
Lift both hands out of the water before you start paddling. Are you balanced? You will sink on either side if not properly centred. Adjust your body position and make sure you are balanced before paddling.
Keep your head and upper body still when you paddle. Moving your head and upper body from side to side while paddling will “rock” your surfboard from side to side, creating more resistance.
More paddling detail for those who have surfed before:
More paddling detail for those who have surfed before:
Paddle with a long, full range of motion. His front arm is fully extended so his hand may penetrate the water far in front of him. His back hand pops out of the water only when it is fully extended in the back, after a full range motion.
Allow your hand and forearm to penetrate deep under water, and vertically. When your hand and forearm go deep underwater and stay vertical, you are able to hold a greater surface area and propel yourself forward with more power.
Keep your elbow high at the moment your hand penetrates the water. This is the best way to make sure your forearm stays vertical once it goes under water.
Surfer 1 bends her arms when reaching forward for the next paddle. She also keeps a rhythm, paddling one arm at a time.
Surfer 2 keeps her arms stiff when paddling. This is commonly called the “windmill” paddling. Keeping your arms stiff will make your shoulders tired quickly, as they will have to support your arms weight with each paddle stroke. This will also make your surfboard rock from side to side, creating drag and slowing you down.
Standing up
Standing up
To catch a wave, the board needs to be going at the same speed of the wave or the wave will pass you by.
Wait for the tail to lift
Quickly move from prone to standing
It doesn't matter if you stand natural or goofy
Keep the board balanced by staying centred
Have patience and learn to enjoy falling off!
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