Paddling Tips

Red Paddle Co ambassador and SUP Instructor Trainer Sam Ross has produced a great series of videos on how to get started with SUP looking at the basics all the way up to advanced paddling technique and turning. Sam also runs coaching clinics and instructor courses, to find out more about him and to book yourself onto a course check out his website here: www.sam-ross.co.uk

Set Up and Launching

Set Up and Launching

When learning how to paddle board it’s important to familiarise yourself with your SUP equipment before you hit the water. This video guides paddle board beginners through everything they need to know to about their paddle board and paddle including how to set them up correctly and how to launch safely.

This video also demonstrates one of the most important paddle board techniques – the prone position. This position is used when launching and landing, as well as for rescue and also if we have any problems on the water. Once the basics of prone have been learnt you can progress to. This video guides paddle board beginners through everything they need to know.

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Paddling on your Knees

Paddling on your Knees

Once launched, the next paddle board technique to master is paddling on your knees. This video guides you through your first few paddle strokes on your knees, introduces you to the basics of paddle technique and also how to turn the board.

Once you are comfortable with knee paddling and have control of the paddle board you can progress on to your feet and begin basic paddling.

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Basic Paddling

Basic Paddling

Having mastered the basics of paddle technique whilst paddling on your knees, you’re ready to progress to standing and finding your balance on your stand up paddle board. In this video we look at basic SUP techniques which form the foundation of everything else to come.

The key elements of the basic paddle stroke are the same as on the knees and expert SUP instructor Sam Ross guides you through the essential stand up paddle board techniques which will ensure you have both a fun and safe time on the water.

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Step Back Turn

Step Back Turn

One of the more advanced stand up paddle board techniques, the step back turn is a great way of turning around quickly. In this video, Sam Ross demonstrates the key elements of this manoeuvre and gives you plenty of tips to help you master it.

Before you initiate the step back turn, ensure that the paddle is on your leash side. Your non-leash foot moves into the middle of the board and you step back with your leash foot. To make the board turn, take wide strokes on the leash side, the more you weight the back foot the sharper the turn.

Also known as a pivot turn or buoy turn, the step back turn is a sharp way of turning round and is great in every water environment. Spin the board on the spot with style.

Paddling Using Your Core

Paddling Using Your Core

Once you have the basics of paddle board technique we can really start to look at improving efficiency and power within the paddle stroke. In this video we start to do this by looking at using larger muscle groups to power the board along. Using your core muscles will mean you will be able to keep the board paddling for longer at higher speeds and more efficiently.

To use your core effectively you need to let your hips rotate and your shoulders turn with the blade as you reach for the catch. As you reach forward let the hips follow and the shoulders turn away from the stroke. As the blade moves through the water the hips and shoulders return to square.

To use your core well, ensure you maintain a nicely extended bottom arm. The less this is moving the more you are engaging your core muscles whilst paddling.

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