There's a few things that can help you catch more waves than your friends; the right board choice, going out in the right conditions, choosing the right spot to catch a wave, learning to read waves and picking the best one, keeping surf fit, surfing as much as possible in varies conditions. These are all factors that will develop your surfing and skills to catch more waves.
However, there is one thing that gets seriously over looked and seems all so simple.
I was recently surfing in Ireland, it was a 2m swell at 13 seconds on a right hander reef...not a beginner spot for surfers. It was a good clean swell and waves for everyone, getting and catching waves was not an issue...in theory. There was a group of 3 friends, 2 of which surfed really well, the third guy was struggling. He hardly caught any waves. He wasn't a beginner, when he did catch a wave, he could go along no problem. So why was he struggling to catch them? He had the right board, he was well positioned in the lineup and it wasn't his first rodeo! So what was it!?
It was blatantly obvious when I first saw him paddle for a wave and I felt his surf friends might not actually be real friends after all...they weren't helping him in the slightest! Maybe it was part of their plan, they wanted more waves for themselves!
Now, I'm at an advantage here, I'm a surf geek and I coach surfing! I have the curse of analysing every aspect of body mechanics and board performance. ..I'm not the only one and what I'm about to share with you is not ground breaking news. It's tried and tested by guys way more qualified than I am.
It was simple, it was his paddle technique. Now, paddling seems to some as a simple and easy concept. This guy and plenty of advanced surfers I've coached might not have thought they needed paddle advice. Some simply reply..it's easy, your hand and arm reach out towards the nose of the board, cup hand, enter the water, pull and push the water, alternate with opposite arm and repeat....easy! Well, that's the basics of it. ..but there is more!
If you want to catch more waves, if you want to conserve you energy for longer surf sessions and you want to minimise back and shoulder pain, here a some tips in the right direction to improve your paddle technique.
The tips come in 2 parts...basics and then some advanced tips and to save you reading, I've attached some video links that I've found useful for improving my own skills and those I coach.
The Basics
- Body position and posture when laying on your board.
- Long reach paddle
- Depth of paddle
- Arm retraction
- Rhythm and flow
Check this video for more info:
Advanced Tips
- Head still
- Keep elbows high
- Slight roll
- Catch phase of your paddle
Here are a few videos that relate to proven paddling techniques used in freestyle swimming:
Now, if you don't have access to actual surf and you want to train in the pool, here are some training tips that a water polo player taught me recently. This will help improve your paddle technique and your fitness, keeping you ready for your next surf session.
10 Minutes warm up lengths.
8 Lengths front crawl with closed fists. Focus on pulling and pushing on the water using your forearm through out your stroke in the water, really feeling the water resistance. This will help train you to not rely solely on the cupped hand for paddling and improve your catch phase.
2 lengths normal front crawl with usual cupped hands. You'll notice an improvement instantly.
8 lengths mega catch-up drill. Start by kicking off the wall with head down underwater and hands and arms stretchered out in front (as if you just dived into the water). Then start a paddle with your right arm, keep the left hand stretched out in front, finger tips pointing to the far end of the pool, just underwater. Keep it there until you complete the right arm stroke and you tap your right hand on your left hand, now start with the left stroke whilst keeping your right hand stretched in front until you tap it with your left hand...repeat. This will help you focus on smooth paddling and breathing. You can make this a little easier by holding a flat float in your hands, helping you float the outstretched arm whilst completing each stroke.
Now, here comes the killer bit:
1 Length full front crawl full throttle. Pause for 10 seconds. Repeat 5 times
Pause for 1 minute
2 lengths front crawl full throttle. Pause for no more than a minute. Repeat 3 times
If this isn't enough, then try this:
1 Length front crawl full throttle, with your head above the water and then duck dive every 3rd stroke. At the end of the pool, get out of the pool as quick as possible and do 10 press ups (you can do surf take off/pop ups to really push it, just be careful not to slip). Then jump back in the water, tread water and do this exercise
...repeat for 1 minute.
1 length walking or very slow swim to catch your breath and as soon as you reach the other end, repeat the above exercises.....do this till you can't do it anymore!...good luck!
Hopefully
nic34
Friends?