Quick Tip: Performance Technique

1. Connect your coiled safety leash on your race boards at the front of the cockpit. This allows you to have an uncluttered step back for bracing moves and pivot turns. If your board has no connection point here, we sell a nifty sticky mount compatible with most boards. In surf conditions do not use a coiled leash and run the leash from the stern. This is because a coiled leash can slingshot the board back to the paddler causing potential injury.
2. Use shoulder and hip rotation to create torque (power). This is a subtle move so don’t over do it! It helps protect the shoulder joint and utilizes the bigger muscles. Let us show you how and sign up for a lesson.
3. Bury your paddle blade completely roughly 3 inches up the shaft on every stroke. This will give you more control, better balance, and maximum power. Check out our current favorite premium adjustable paddle, the Hippo Stick Size-It.
4. Upgrading your fin can make you faster, more stable, and make your board easier to turn.
5. Experiment with both a tall and condensed upper torso position for more performance or to make paddling more relaxing.
6. Always keep your head as level as possible and your eyes focusing on where you’re going. This will make you more comfortable in all conditions and make balancing easier.
7. Every paddling session, allot time for walking forward and backward along the center line of your board. Start with two to three steps in each direction and then move back to standard stance. Over time with practice you can make it all the way to the boards stern, which is the setup for a pivot turn. Practice in a area free of rocks, submerged tress and roots, and boaters. Make sure to wear your PFD, cause if you’re not falling in, you’re not trying hard enough!
8. Learn to feel how the hull glides with more efficient propulsion. When done correctly it will fell silky smooth and glide is, maintained and can even be increased. If you feel you board changes speed consistently, a lesson might be needed.
9. Assertively manage rolling boat wake and chop. Stay loose and move with the waves and wake. Speed up your strokes and what ever side the disturbance is coming from, paddle on the opposite side to meet and manage it.

To learn more about our award winning stand up paddle board coaching including private in-person, virtual remote, and on location group clinics, call, text, or email us!