Surfing is easy IF you can only get to the point of sitting out in the line up, and then catching a wave to drop into. Of all the things that lead up to the physical moment of surfing on a wave, paddling is the one that will make the most difference in improving your surfing, as well as prolonging your surf sessions!

Most beginning surfers and new surfers may overlook the importance of the simple act of paddling, dismissing it as a means to an end. And while that may be true to some degree – since all we really want to do is ‘surf’ – paddling is a vital part of being a stronger surfer in longer sessions. Paddling is what gets you to the line up, and it is what gets you into a wave. And although paddling looks easy enough when you watch experienced surfers, it has some distinct nuances that can make or break you as a surfer.

• The first point to realize about paddling is that it can be surfboard specific. You need to be able to find the specific “sweet spot” of your own board. Think of this spot as the paddling equivalent of a cross-hair on the surface of your surfboard. While in the water (sorry folks, land practice doesn’t work here!) and lying on top of your surfboard, your center of balance should be evenly distributed down the middle – usually along the stringer. If you don’t have a stringer or it has been designed over, your sweet spot can be easily found – you will know you are too far forward if the nose of the board is underwater, or too far back if the nose is more than an inch or two out of the water. Left and right balance will work itself out as you find your paddle improving!
• Now that you have found your sweet spot, you need to concentrate on how to better propel your surfboard forward. Although finding your sweet spot will involve paddling and propelling forward as well, the specific act of propelling yourself forward has some physical nuances. The biggest challenge for beginners in propelling forward – so you can out paddle other surfers in the line up! – is building the back and shoulder muscles to a point where you can easily arch your back continuously for extended periods of time. You will need to arch your back and use your arms to properly achieve planing and gain speed, as arching your back helps maintain your weight over the center of the board.

The aches and pain that you will experience after the first several sessions will be challenging, but you will build up enough muscle and get to a point where your back and ribs will not hurt as quickly into a session!

• Propelling yourself forward will require using the water as resistance for your hands, so make sure that you are taking long, deep strokes into the water. Try to keep your paddle as close to the sides of the surfboard as much as possible to reduce drag, and make sure your fingers are not spread apart. The best method is to keep your fingers together, and your hands slightly cupped.
• Although strictly a personal choice, paddling slightly under your board – rather than out and away from the board – in a sweeping motion will proper you more effectively and smoothly through the water as it reduced the overall surface area you are affecting on the water. However,  depending on the width of your board and length of your arms, doing this may be difficult.

The overall goal of training yourself for paddling is to give you better control of your surfboard as you paddle out into the lineup and into a wave. The more you practice, the better you get! On days when it’s too small to surf, practice paddling to build up your muscles and stamina, and you will be on your way to arching that back to more, and better waves.

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