HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR PADDLE BOARDING TECHNIQUE

HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR PADDLE BOARDING TECHNIQUE

 New paddleboarders often develop bad habits from poor paddle techniques. These bad habits can affect your stability, control, efficiency, and also muscle fatigue.

 These bad habits from poor paddleboard techniques are particular to new paddleboarders only. Some old paddleboarders who didn’t take proper lessons before getting on a paddleboard for the first time still suffer from these bad habits.

 Well, you are in luck today because we are about to show you how to improve your paddleboard technique in 5 easy steps.

 

1. PROPER FOOT PLACEMENT

 

Proper foot placement is important because it ensures that you are fully in control and have the most balance while on your paddleboard

.As a beginner or novice paddler, the best place to stand on your stand up paddle board (SUP) is right around the center of your board. It is quite easy to locate as there will be a carry handle around it.

 It is important to place your feet shoulder width apart on either side of the handle. You can then distribute your weight evenly while being sure not to grip your toes to the deck pad. Gripping your toes to the deck pad will cause you to lose your balance.

 

2. GOOD PADDLE BOARD POSTURE

 

For a good paddle board posture, you should

• Stand with your knees slightly bent, while being able to see your toes
• Keep your knees angled over your feet and not caving inwards or outwards as you paddle.
• Keep your back straight
• Be sure to keep your gaze towards the horizon and not looking around or at your feet. Looking around or at your feet will cause you to lose balance and affect your paddling strokes.
• Always paddle from your core as it will create more stability, proper weight distribution, and efficiency. It also helps to reduce fatigue in the arms, shoulders, and back muscles.

 

3. SET THE CORRECT PADDLE LENGTH

 

It is important to make sure your SUP paddle is adjusted to the correct length for your height before getting into the water.

 With the edge of the paddle blade on the ground and the shaft parallel to your body, lift your arm over your head and bend it slightly in the elbow.

 Be sure the paddle is adjusted to the top height of your hand that is in the air. With your arm outstretched, your hand should be able to comfortably wrap around the paddle grip.

 The paddle height should also be adjusted to 3-4 inches above your head. You can now adjust accordingly based on your style and comfort once the height is set.

 

4. HOLD YOUR PADDLE CORRECTLY

 

Holding and using the paddle the wrong way is one of the most common mistakes made by paddle boarders.

 

Holding your paddle incorrectly can cause unnecessary fatigue in your arm, shoulder, and back muscles.

 First thing you must do is to make sure your paddle blade is facing the right way. The slope of your paddle blade should face away from you and not towards you.

 For hand placement, place one hand on top of the paddle grip while your bottom hand should grip the shaft about halfway down.

 

5. PERFECT YOUR PADDLE STROKES

 

Now that you have proper foot placement, a good posture, correct paddle length and now hold your paddle correctly, it’s time to perfect your paddle stokes.

 First, you have to reach forward and push the blade in deep, making sure the entire blade goes into the water.

 To paddle, engage your stomach muscles and pull the paddle through the water with your core and back. Be sure to keep both arms mostly straight forward from start to finish. This will help reduce fatigue as these muscles have more strength than your arms.

 Once the paddle reaches your feet, lift it out of the water and rotate the paddle back to the front of your body.

 You can then keep your legs slightly bent and your core engaged as you start your next stroke.

 An improved technique makes a huge difference with your paddle boarding skills. You’ll get to be more efficient, less likely to get injured and less fatigued while having more fun.