HOW TO : paddle when surfing !!!

One of the most important keys to Surfing right is in knowing how to Paddle, whether it be to get back out to the peak or catching wave. 1) Redistribute your weight and and body on the Board : – To far forward means you will pearl, meaning your nose dives under. – Too far back and you sink. The idea is to have the majority of the Boards surface on the water. The G spot will depend on your body size and weight. A good sign is that you can see the nose skimming just above the surface when you are prone and arched on the Board. 2) Contracted and Arched : The secret for quick paddling is to eliminate all unnecessary movements. No rocking side to side, no jerking, be stiff like Bamboo. Be the hull of a Boat. As a large portion of you body touches the water you must maintain this profile. Your two feet spread wide is good for stability but will act like anchors that you will be dragging behind !! 3) Get your arms in the water : It is important to keep your elbow slightly bent. Paddling with straight arms causes you to push down when you need to be pushing backwards. Swimmers know what they’re doing so take inspiration from them. 4) Entry and Hand position in the water : The hand entry into the water must be clean, without slapping the water. The hand must perforate the water surface. After, keep the hand flat with fingers slightly apart, and row towards the middle and under the Board while making a subtle S figure. This augments the underwater trajectory hence it lengthens the propulsion. Do not exaggerate. 5) Paddle fréquence : Find your rhythm and keep it constant so you can benefit from the momentum generated. First and foremost you must have frequency so you can create the minimum speed needed then in time elongate these movements in order to maintain this speed without having fatigue. 6) Manage your air cycles : The longer your arm is in the air the more you will feel your shoulders, and the more you will cry your mama. The muscles in the shoulders are small and the dorsal ones are bigger, so the idea is to make them do all the dirty work. To paddle with arms in front, been your arms when you pull them out in order to avoid the strain that produces on the shoulder so it reduces the charge. And Paddle one arms after the other 😉 Advisor : Patrice Guénolé et GONG Surfboards. Source : GONG Surf, tips from the pro.