How to Stand Up Paddle Board information Part 4

5 May, 2013

Techniques - On the Water

The Paddleboarding Stance

Some helpful tips to keep your balance as you stand upright on the paddleboard when you are planning to learn to surf South Australia:

• Your feet need to be comfortable, about a hip-width distance apart, both centered and parallel between the board edges (rails). Best to keep your feet off the rails.
• Make sure your back is straight, knees are bent and your toes are pointed forward.
• For better balance, use your core body muscles together with your hips—not your head.
• Your weight can be shifted by moving your hips and keep your head and shoulders upright and steady.
• Best to keep your gaze level with the horizon and avoid staring at your feet.
• As your forward momentum increases, your stability will also increase, as similar to cycling.
• Choose the right surfing board that will suit your taste.

The real fun begins when your flat water skills progress and you’re ready to take off on a Paddleboarding excursion!  Some hand pointers using the basic Paddleboarding stroke;

• If you're a right handed paddler, your right hand is lower on the paddle shaft and your left hand is on the top of the handle grip.
• Make sure the elbow (angle) of the paddle faces away from you.
• Using your core muscles, twist from your torso and keep your arms straight as you paddle. Abdominal muscles have more strength than your arms.
• With your top hand, push down forward on the paddle grip.
• While pushing your top hand forward, with your other hand ensure the blade of the paddle is under the water surface.  Pull the paddle back to your ankle, then out of the water.
• Best to keep your strokes fairly short and close alongside the board, as a beginner. Take it is easy, there’s no need to overpower it.
• A small paddle stroke will keep you going forward.
• To move forward in a reasonably straight line, paddle about 4 or 5 strokes on one side, then switch to the other.
• Reverse hand positions when you switch sides.