I like to say that 80% of your surfing will be paddling and the other 20% will actually be surfing on the waves. When you learn proper paddling mechanics you will start to have a lot more fun, straining less to get into waves and improving your overall wave count in the process.
For anyone thinking they’ve already maxed out their surfing (and paddling) ability, don’t be a fool. Learn how to paddle properly so you can find more confidence in the water and get yourself into bigger waves. To get to the level you see above, we will have to start from the beginning. This drill will lay the foundations for your proper paddling technique.
Do the cobra pose for 3 x 30 seconds when you wake up each morning.
This simple stretch is just the first step but it’s an important and often overlooked one. You need to make sure your back is limber and strong enough before you can give any other attention to your paddling technique. Many surfers don’t have enough flexibility in their backs to do this properly. Sitting in front of a computer too often and walking around with bad posture can do that to you.
Do the drill in this sequence:
-Lie on the floor on your stomach.
-Place your palms next to your ribs, elbows pointing upward ( aka the chicken wings position).
-Squeeze your glutes (to prevent strain on your lower back) and lift/push the upper body to the cobra position.
Make sure you do the drill the right way:
-Keep your arms straight (extended).
-Push yourself away from the ground through the palms.
-Pull your shoulders backward.
-Squeeze your glutes during the hold.
Typical mistakes:
-Hands (palms) are in front of the shoulder, not below.
-Your arms are bent instead of being straight (if you push yourself higher, it will be easier to pull the knees underneath your chest when you pop up.
-You don’t push enough through your palms.
Let me know if this helped you, or what you want me to cover next by emailing me at gershon@boostyoursurf.com. I created a simple cheat sheet that you can download here to track your paddling progress.
Yours,
