Stand up paddle boarding can be done for pleasure and relaxation, but many folks like to race as well. Be it on a lake or along the seashore, here are some SUP tips and techniques that will help you tighten up your strokes and increase your speed.
Paddling Speed
Two factors enter in when it comes to how fast you can paddle: distance per stroke, and stroke rate. There is no “one size fits all” technique for that perfect stroke. Your height and fitness level, as well as your paddle and board type all come into play. But, working on your distance per stroke and your stroke rate, you can increase you speed. How do you accomplish this?
First, increase your reach. Twist your body so your lower shoulder is forward and your top shoulder is back in order to reach as far in front as possible. Doing practice exercises and stretching to increase your flexibility will help enhance your reach. Second, push in deep. Use your whole upper body to dig the paddle in to the water; don’t use just your arms. These two tips will send more power to your strokes.
Stroking Technique
Don’t waste precious seconds when pulling your paddle out of the water. Much like crew rowers flip their blades to be perpendicular to the water’s surface before reinserting, you too should angle your blade so you are pulling it out with little resistance. A little 90 degree flip on the angle will get the blade up faster.
More time can be lost as you bring your paddle back to the front of the stroke. Don’t swing the paddle out to the side but rather, moving the paddle straight to the front helps maintain your forward momentum. Push the paddle down with your upper body, straighten up as you pull it straight forward. Make sure your paddle is adjusted to the right length as well. If the paddle is hitting the water as you swing it forward, it could be too long.
When practicing, take the time to assess your strokes. Relax your muscles and review the motions you have gone through to see if you are getting the most out of each stroke. And do practice. Programming muscle memory with the proper techniques can have you crossing that finish line in record time.
Images via a4gpa, Kayaker Bill
