We have asked L’Ours to expound about the manner in which we think about Paddles when Surf SUPing
Here is his answer:
‘’For a better understanding the use of material when SUPing in waves, we must break the Surfing down into Three categories concerning moves:
The In Moves
These are the moves type Bottom Turn. This is when you generate and pick up speed and then concentrate it into a clean maneuver. While in the act of these In Moves the paddle is used and force is placed upon it. It is the Extrado of the Blade that is on the water which in turns acts as it own board. In these moves, the more rigid the Blade the more precise these trajectories will be. In effect, all flex in the Paddle, when you’re putting your weight upon it, will create and augment your ability to lay down a turn. The bigger the Board or the stronger the wave the more this rule becomes flagrant. A soft Paddle will demand that you anticipate this flex in advance. If you do not you will be over-engaged in the turn which puts you at risk of not getting out the turn cleanly of make big mistakes in your footing.
The moves out
These are moves such as top turns in which we use the Paddle in its ‘propulsion’ aspect, often in a quick manner, to project the Board down the face and aggressively towards the trim line. Henceforth it is the Intrado of the Paddle that is solicited. The more marked it is the more potential for a violent pivot you will have. At the same time the more rigid you Paddle Shaft is the potential for radical drive you will have thanks to its natural reactivity guided by your actions.
The drag moves
These are the moves that use the Paddles suction upon the water, meaning its hold on the water of some sorts.Typically they are in the Tubes, the lay backs, but also the Noserides and 360°s. In these Drag moves the Paddle tends to be behind you and the water flows from top to the bottom of your Paddle. The more water you’re pulling the more hold you will have and the less you pull the faster you will go. In Tube riding you will be searching to augment this effect by twisting your top hand to turn the Blade in the water which will generate even more suction in order to get deeper into the tube. This suction phenomenon is extremely important because it helps to generate speed without having to vary your stance and weight displacement on the Board.
We may also isolate the phenomenon of transitions. In effect the passing from one style to another implicates a transition.
For example, a supple/soft Shaft will take you to far away from your center of gravity when in a bottom turn. The extension of your body that occurs from the flex and leaning out will need to be re-directed and re-centralized in order to correct smack the top of the lip. If your Shaft is Soft, your riding style will also be soft.
Whats more, a Paddle that is with strong suction capacity will give you facility in managing speed but it will hold you back when you need to link moves because to get it out of the water to perform an Out move will cost you time and energy.
Make note that I am voluntarily neglecting the importance of rowing propulsion/speed. In effect, anyone can build you a Paddle that will advance you though the water. The Kayakists, the Polynesians, nobody was awaiting the invention of SUP to make a Paddle that is strong and rows fast. The ingenuity lies within the needs to bring together all the elements of Surf and manage them with one tool. Due to this the R&D for Paddles within the SUP world is an adventure of and within itself.
The quality of the row of a Paddle is not to be neglected neither, but for me it is a minor element of importance when searching for pleasure and efficiency.
It must be noted that the demands of Out Moves are not far from those of traction when rowing. The same applies to those of the Drag Moves being that they are close to the needs of rowing when needing a quick water exit and an uninhibited optimized aerial trajectory. To finalize the In Moves propose constraints close to those of water entry, the attack and the act of rowing.
With this framework of thought I can conceive the best Paddles, think out better my surf and better advise my clients.’’
L’Ours.
Shaper : Patrice Guénolé and GONG-GALAXY.
