Paddling is one of the most fundamental skills in surfing, yet it is often overlooked by beginners in their eagerness to stand up and ride waves. The truth is, without solid paddling skills, you won’t get very far in surfing—literally. Mastering paddling not only helps you catch more waves, but it also allows you to navigate through different ocean conditions with greater ease, get out to the lineup faster, and conserve energy for when you need it most. In this guide, we will dive into the techniques, tips, and best practices to help you master the art of paddling, ensuring you get the most out of every surf session.
1. Why Paddling Is So Important
Paddling is the gateway to surfing. It’s what gets you from the shore to the lineup, helps you position yourself in the right spot to catch waves, and enables you to generate the momentum needed to get into waves. Good paddling technique is essential for several reasons:
- Wave Catching: Strong, efficient paddling is key to catching waves. You need enough speed to match the energy of the wave, which means every stroke must count.
- Positioning: Whether you are paddling out through the breakers or positioning yourself to catch the next set wave, effective paddling will allow you to get where you need to be quickly and without expending unnecessary energy.
- Safety: Being able to paddle well is also a crucial safety skill. If you get caught in a rip current or find yourself in a tricky situation, strong paddling can help you get back to shore safely.
2. The Perfect Paddling Position
The way you position yourself on the surfboard makes a huge difference in your paddling efficiency. Proper positioning involves finding a balance between weight distribution, comfort, and maximizing your power.
- Lie in the Sweet Spot: Lie on your stomach with your body centered on the board. Your feet should be together and extended just off the tail of the board, while your nose should be just above the water. If the nose of your board is sticking up too much, you’re lying too far back. If it’s diving into the water, you’re too far forward.
- Keep Your Head Up: Keep your head up and look ahead rather than at your board. This position helps maintain balance and allows you to see oncoming waves, which is crucial for navigating through the surf.
- Arch Your Back Slightly: Keep your chest slightly lifted by arching your back, which reduces drag and helps distribute your weight properly on the board. Engaging your core in this position will help you remain stable and prevent excessive movement.
3. Paddling Techniques for Efficiency
Mastering paddling is about being efficient in the water. It’s not just about being strong—it’s about using the right technique to make each stroke count.
- Hand Positioning: Your hands should be slightly cupped, like you’re scooping the water. Fingers should be relaxed, not tightly spread. This will give you a better grip on the water and reduce drag.
- Long and Smooth Strokes: The key to efficient paddling is long, deep, and smooth strokes. Enter the water with your fingers first, reaching as far forward as possible, and then pull through the water alongside the board. Your hand should exit the water near your hip.
- Avoid Splashing: Splashing during paddling is a sign of wasted energy. Focus on clean, deliberate movements. Your arm should enter the water smoothly, with minimal splash, and exit in a controlled manner.
- Alternate Your Strokes: Paddling should be done in an alternating pattern, with one arm following the other. This helps maintain momentum and keeps the board moving in a straight line.
4. The Role of Core Strength and Fitness
Paddling is not just an arm workout—it’s a full-body exercise that involves your core, shoulders, and back. To become a better paddler, focusing on improving your overall fitness and building specific muscles can make a huge difference.
- Core Engagement: Strong core muscles help you stay balanced on the board, stabilize your body during each stroke, and keep you from swaying side to side. Exercises like planks, Russian twists, and leg raises can help build core strength.
- Shoulder Endurance: Paddling involves continuous shoulder movement, which can lead to fatigue if your shoulders are weak. Incorporate push-ups, resistance band exercises, and swimming into your workout routine to improve shoulder endurance.
- Cardiovascular Fitness: Paddling also requires good cardiovascular endurance, especially if you’re paddling through big surf or strong currents. Swimming laps, running, or interval training can help improve your overall stamina, making your paddling more effective.
5. Navigating Through Waves
One of the most challenging aspects of paddling is making it out through the breaking waves, also known as the impact zone. Here are some techniques to help you get through the breakers efficiently.
- Duck Diving (for Shortboards): Duck diving is a technique used by surfers with shorter boards to get under oncoming waves. To duck dive, push down on the nose of your board as the wave approaches, and then use your knee or foot to sink the tail. This will allow you to glide beneath the wave and pop up behind it.
- Turtle Rolling (for Longboards): For longboarders, duck diving is often not an option due to the board’s size. Instead, use a turtle roll: when a wave approaches, grab the rails of your board, roll upside down with the board above you, and let the wave pass over. Once the wave has passed, roll back over and continue paddling.
- Timing is Everything: Observing the sets and timing your paddle-out is key. Watch the waves for a few minutes before entering the water, and aim to paddle out during a lull when the waves are smaller and less frequent. This will make your journey out much easier.
6. Improving Your Stamina for Long Paddle Sessions
Paddling out to the lineup or catching waves repeatedly can be exhausting, especially for beginners. Improving your paddling stamina can significantly enhance your surfing experience.
- Swim for Practice: Swimming is one of the best cross-training activities for paddling because it works similar muscle groups. Focus on freestyle swimming to build strength and improve your cardiovascular endurance.
- Interval Training: Interval training can mimic the demands of surfing, where you need to paddle intensely for a short period, then rest. Practice interval sprints in the pool, or alternate between sprinting and light jogging to simulate the effort of catching waves.
- Paddle Frequently: The best way to improve your paddling stamina is to paddle as often as possible. Even if you’re not planning to catch many waves, spending time in the water just paddling around will help you build strength and improve technique.
7. Positioning and Timing to Catch Waves
Once you’ve paddled out to the lineup, positioning yourself to catch a wave and timing your paddle is the next challenge.
- Sit and Watch: Once you reach the lineup, sit up on your board and observe the waves. Watch how they form, where they break, and identify the best spot to catch them. Being in the right place at the right time is half the battle.
- Angle Your Board: When you see a wave approaching, turn your board towards the shore and start paddling early. You need to generate enough speed to match the pace of the wave. Angle your board slightly if you plan to go left or right on the wave.
- Commit to the Wave: When you feel the wave lifting the tail of your board, paddle with intensity, and commit to catching it. Hesitation will often cause you to miss the wave, so be confident in your paddle.
8. Avoiding Common Paddling Mistakes
There are a few common mistakes that many beginners make when paddling, and avoiding these can help you progress faster.
- Too Far Back on the Board: If you’re lying too far back, the nose of the board will point upwards, creating drag and making paddling much harder. Find the sweet spot where your board glides smoothly.
- Paddling with Bent Arms: Bent arms lead to weak strokes and wasted energy. Reach out as far as possible with each stroke and keep your arms straight as you pull through the water.
- Wiggling Side to Side: If you feel your board moving from side to side as you paddle, it could mean you’re not balanced properly or your stroke isn’t smooth. Focus on core engagement and long, even strokes to keep your board moving in a straight line.
9. Practice Makes Perfect
As with all aspects of surfing, mastering paddling takes time, patience, and practice. Spend time working on your paddling technique during every surf session, even if the waves aren’t ideal for riding. The more comfortable and efficient you become at paddling, the more waves you’ll catch, and the more fun you’ll have in the water.
Consider practicing on flat days by simply paddling out, working on duck dives or turtle rolls, and honing your positioning. Paddle fitness and technique are the building blocks of great surfing, and investing time into perfecting these skills will pay off significantly in the long run.
Mastering the art of paddling is not only about strength and endurance but also about technique, efficiency, and a deep understanding of the ocean. By developing a solid paddling foundation, you set yourself up for success, making the entire surfing experience more enjoyable. Whether you’re a beginner learning to catch your first waves or an intermediate surfer looking to improve, paddling is a crucial skill that will unlock new levels of confidence and control in the water.
