Paddleboard technique: choosing paddle length, the forward stroke and how to turn

TUREFF• •0

Once you can stand on a paddleboard, good technique turns a wobbly, tiring outing into a smooth glide. Most of it comes down to three things: a paddle at a sensible length, a forward stroke powered by your body rather than your arms, and a few ways to turn.

Getting the paddle length right

Most SUP paddles are adjustable, which is ideal while you learn. Common starting points for flat water and touring are:

a paddle roughly 15 to 25 centimetres (about 6 to 10 inches) taller than you, or
with the blade on the ground, a handle that reaches comfortably above your head with your hand resting on top.

Treat these as a starting point. A practical check on the water is that with the blade fully buried at the front of the stroke, your top hand is somewhere around eye or forehead height. People standing on a thick inflatable board are higher above the water and may want a slightly longer setting than on a thin hard board. Surf SUP paddles are usually shorter.

Holding the paddle

The blade angle points forward. The blade is angled relative to the shaft; the angle (the bend) should point towards the nose of the board. It feels wrong to many beginners, but it is correct.
Hands: one hand on top of the handle, the other on the shaft roughly shoulder-width or a little more below it. When paddling on the right, your left hand is on top, and vice versa.
Grip lightly. Tight hands tire quickly.

The forward stroke

Reach: hinge slightly from the hips and reach forward, with your lower arm fairly straight.
Catch: plant the whole blade into the water near the nose, cleanly and vertically, before you pull.
Power: pull the board past the paddle using your core and back, keeping the shaft as upright as you can. Your top hand stays over the water, not over the board.
Exit: take the blade out around your feet. Going further behind you just lifts water and wastes effort.
Recover: feather the blade and swing it forward low over the water to the next catch.

Short, upright strokes close to the rail keep the board running straight. A few strokes on one side then a switch to the other is normal; as your technique improves, you will need to switch less often.

Turning

Forward sweep: plant the blade near the nose, a long way out from the board, and sweep a wide arc back towards the tail. The board turns away from the side you sweep on. This keeps your speed.
Reverse sweep: the same arc from tail to nose, using the back of the blade. It turns the board towards that side and slows you down. It is quick and useful for tight spaces.
Combine them: a forward sweep on one side and a reverse sweep on the other spins the board almost on the spot.
Step-back turn: an advanced turn where you step back towards the tail so the nose lifts, then sweep. Fun, but learn it in shallow, warm water, because you will fall in.

Stopping and going backwards

A couple of reverse strokes, the blade placed behind you and pushed towards the nose, stops the board. Look over your shoulder before going backwards.

Stance and body

Feet hip-width apart, parallel, either side of the handle.
Knees soft, back straight, head up, eyes on the horizon.
Power from the legs, hips and core. If your arms are burning, you are pulling with them too much.

Practise on calm water. A short video of yourself from the bank is surprisingly useful for spotting a bent shaft or a stroke that runs too far back. What helped your stroke the most? Share your tips or ask a question in the comments.