PADDLING
OUT
Ok, you've got beyond the stage of playing around in the white water,
and you're fully equipped with a pair of swimfins and of course
a board. You're raring to go and get out the back beyond the white
water and catch some bigger waves on the green water. The first
thing you need to learn is how to paddle out without using too much
energy.
The key to easy paddling is to develop a rhythm and to alternate
between arm paddling and leg paddling, especially on long paddle
outs. You can paddle with both at once for short bursts of speed,
but it is best to reserve it for when you need to move fast to get
over that last big set wave which would otherwise unload on your
head.
Before you hit the water take some time to watch the surf. Try and
time your paddle out between the sets so you don't have to confront
wall after wall of churning white water. While your watching, warm
up your muscles with a few stretching exercises. This will help
to avoid cramp.
LEG PADDLING
1. Your hips should be over the tail of the board and your hands
should be on the front keeping the board flat on the water. Arch
your back slightly so that your upper chest isn't resting on the
board.
2. Make sure that you are kicking under the water and not slapping
the surface.
3. Propulsion comes from the downward kick. Kick with your whole
leg, from the hip down to the ankle, keeping your knee slightly
bent. Your feet should be pointed and your ankle fairly firm.
4. To give yourself a little bit of extra propulsion, towards the
end of the down stroke, snap your ankle down.
5. On the up stroke, your ankle should be relaxed unless your want
even more power–in which case keep it rigid.
ARM PADDLING
1. Move up on the board so that your nose is a few inches from
the top of the board and bring your legs out of the water to minimise
drag
2. Arch your back slightly but make sure that your board stays flat
on the water with the nose only slightly out of it.
3. Cup your hands so they catch water while paddling.
4. Stretch your arm out as far as it will go in front of you, plunge
it into the water up to your elbow and pull it back quickly and
smoothly. Alternate with your other arm and work up a rhythm.
COMBINED LEG AND ARM PADDLING
When you need maximum propulsion, position yourself on the board
as if you were kick paddling. Without your arms on the front, the
nose of the board will lift up out of the water, which will slow
you down. To avoid this, don't arch your back as much and push down
with your chest on the front of the board.
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