| Paddle Surfing | | | | to paddle out right down the middle of it. You will |
| So you have taken your SUP out for a lazy | | | | find that the waves aren't quite as steep in this |
| Sunday afternoon cruise across calm waters, and | | | | area. One major issue that people with paddling |
| now you think your ready for some stand up | | | | out over waves is the lack of longitudinal stability. |
| paddle surfing. First things first, do you have | | | | Your feet are side by side as if your riding on |
| enough experience to hit the big waves? Things | | | | calm waters, but your balance will not be able to |
| are quite a bit more hectic out on the surf.. | | | | handle going up and over the waves. Use your |
| | | | paddle as much as you need to, and don't be |
| Get the right board... we're not saying it is | | | | afraid to drop to your knees if need be. Some |
| impossible, but it can make the experience much | | | | people find it easier to put their dominate foot a |
| less enjoyable if your out there with the wrong | | | | little bit back, just to get a little front to back |
| board. Kind of like riding through sand with a thin | | | | stability on their stand up paddle surfer. One thing |
| tired road bike... even the most experienced riders | | | | to keep in mind, no matter how out of balance |
| will find it difficult. That being said, makes the best | | | | you feel, keep your board straight on the waves. |
| of what you've got, and go for it! It would | | | | The second you go sideways, your most likely |
| however be a good idea to wear a life jacket | | | | going for a swim. |
| when paddling out on the surf for the first few | | | | Catch the Wave |
| times. Worst case scenario, you fall onto the | | | | Once you're out beyond the waves, paddle away |
| board, and bust yourself up a bit. This is why | | | | from the rip current, towards the breaks. It will |
| having multiple people to spot each other is | | | | still be wavy beyond the breaks, but the waves |
| always recommended. Most importantly, USE A | | | | are much less steep. Stand up paddle surfers |
| LEASH! | | | | have the unique advantage of being able to see |
| Choose a Good SUP Surf Spot | | | | much lower into the trough, and they can also |
| Assuming you have an average sized stand up | | | | spot waves much easier. So at this point, your |
| paddle board, you're gonna want to start out on | | | | just gonna want to cruise around and wait for the |
| some pretty small waves. Anything between two | | | | right wave to come. This is a good time to greet |
| and four feet should work well. The last thing you | | | | all of the sharks that are circling below your feet;) |
| want to do is go out in six footers and get | | | | Once you see the wave, position yourself so |
| rocked... which also might decrease your interest | | | | you're looking at the wave behind your left |
| in the sport a bit too. So don't go overzealous | | | | shoulder. You want to start paddling to the left or |
| when choosing the stand up paddle board surf | | | | right side of the break point when the wave is |
| spot. You want to start on waves that are less | | | | about fifty feet behind you. It's important to be |
| than waist high. | | | | aware of where the wave is going to break. Look |
| Get To Know the Rip Current | | | | over your shoulder and postition yourself so you |
| Even though you're starting out on small waves, | | | | are right on the edge of the break point. When |
| you want to get into the practice of using the rip | | | | the wave is right on your tail, paddle your heart |
| current to your benefit. It is almost easier to spot | | | | out and try to match its velocity. Depending on |
| the rip current on a stand up paddle board, simply | | | | the paddle surf board that you're riding, you will |
| because you have a better view of the waves. | | | | want to start off at an angle to the wave. In |
| You will notice that they tend to crash more in | | | | some cases, when the wave begins to catch the |
| some spots. In between the break points, the | | | | tail of your board, it can push the nose of your |
| water is actually flowing slowly out away from | | | | board underwater. |
| shore. Stay in these areas when paddling out... it | | | | Ride It Home |
| may not seem like it helps, but when you get into | | | | Some stand up paddle surf boards are not easy |
| big waves you will be amazed at how much | | | | to turn, especially when you're riding a wave. If |
| easier it is to get out beyond the surf when riding | | | | you are having trouble steering your board on the |
| one of these. This is probably the number one | | | | wave, try laying the paddle in the water for a bit |
| mistake that is made by new surfers and stand | | | | more resistance. You'll be surprised at how little |
| up paddle surfers: they will exert all of their | | | | resistance it takes to get you pointed in a |
| energy paddling out through the waves, only to | | | | different direction. |
| find they are exhausted when it comes time to | | | | Now you're up and riding! Just remember to stay |
| ride a wave. | | | | over the board and the wave as long as you |
| Paddle Out | | | | would like. Enjoy, and keep paddling! |
| After locating the rip current, you're gonna want | | | | |