The Journey Towards Having More FUN Surfing

During one of my Q&A sessions, I used a clip from Mark Healey paddling to point out some paddling techniques he uses and why or why not we might want to avoid those techniques.  

Longboards have a paddling advantage built in.  But there is still an efficient way to harness that advantage.  This video explains the general guidelines to paddling a longboard.  

Catching a Wave has slightly different paddling techniques than when you're paddling out to the lineup.  This videos breaks down those differences...

A lot of people ask me what type of stroke they should use when paddling on a surfboard.

I tell them there are two, not one, that we all use.  I suppose I should say, there are two that we all should use.

And the two surfing paddling stroke patterns we should use should also be used in certain scenarios.  This video outlines those two stroke patterns and when they should be used when you're out surfing...

Shortboards, longboards, and paddleboards are the three types of craft I’ve outlined and the two scenarios we have tried to define are paddling out (or cruising speed), and catching a wave (sprint speed), and for a paddleboard, prone versus knee paddling.

I’m going to feature each one of these scenarios in 6 different videos and at the end, I’ll provide a link so you can download this summary.

You can use this as a reference. Keep in mind this should only be used as a guide – general guidelines. In the Surfing Paddling Academy class (www.surfingpaddling.com), we focus on learning not only what the technique is and how you can do it also, but why it works, why it gets results. Again, if we know why something works, then we can adapt to any given scenario. Different boards, different surf spots, different conditions. We’ll have it covered.

The hands and arms are our main source of propulsion.  In this quick video, I answer a few questions regarding what to do with your hands.  Near the end of the video, I explain one of the fundamental mistakes I've seen taught and how to correct it.  

I couldn't resist posting this. Surfing Legend Mark Occhilupo (Occy) makes a comment in his telecast regarding how he thinks the best swimmers make the best paddlers. Thanks Occ.

Can you see what I see?

Here is a look at side-by-side views of eleven time World Champion Kelly Slater and up and coming WQS surfer Taylor Clark.

What does Kelly do in his paddling technique that Taylor needs to improve?  Find out if you make the same mistakes and how to fix it.

How Nat Young catches an impossible wave in the closing minute of Round 5 in the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach contest - the three techniques he uses to catch the wave that eventually led him into the Finals

In the video below I analyze a wave Nat Young caught in the dying minute of Round 5 against Josh Kerr that propelled him into the next round and subsequently led him into his first World Tour Finals appearance.  I cover three key techniques Nat uses, how they relate to swimming, and how you can use them to improve your paddling.

Below the video I have posted swim sets and drills for you to practice a few of these techniques.  Enjoy.

I welcome comments and questions. Please share with your friends if you find it helpful.

See you in the water...

A warm up and warm down are required for each of these sets:

1. SWIM SET - purpose: to feel the difference between head up and head down freestyle

8x50, 0:20 rest, alternate half laps between head down and...

An Analysis of the Kelly Slater and Bede Durbidge paddle battle at the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast - the top three paddling techniques Kelly uses

In the following video, I break down the paddle battle that took place in Round 4 of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast between Kelly Slater and Bede Durbidge.  I cover the three key paddling techniques that Kelly uses, how they relate to swimming technique, and how you can use and practice them for your own surfing.

I welcome comments and questions.  Please share with your friends if you find it helpful.

See you in the water,

Rob