Paddling Primer

Blog Layout

Paddling Primer

Ian Foo CEO of HYPR Hawaii • April 23, 2022

Paddling is a Total Body Movement

How to GET UP & Stand Up Effortlessly - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cxh5GDTz5iU&t=159s\

Stance & Catch : - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8nFJO0EX8M&t=28s

This is a sustainable paddling technique, unlike racing sprint mechanics, where the “pros” may pike at the waist and jab the paddle. You have to relax your legs or you'll get tired really fast. When you CROUCH like that to paddle, your HIPS are locked therefore you are actually less stable. Your Stability comes from your paddle entry as far forward as possible ( do NOT pull past your feet ). The FORWARD stroke allows you to create a very STABLE Tripod. Focus on the CATCH first by driving the ENTIRE blade into the water, do not "chip" the water and create a cavitation bubble which causes a loss of traction or GRIP in the water.

Think of it this way --- You are not pulling water, you are locking the blade IN THE WATER.. at the entry point and moving yourself UP TO THE ENTRY POINT - Enter the Blade at 45 degrees- EXIT at 90

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edxqrlizRPw
At the beginning of your forward stroke you GENERATE LIFT with your TOP ARM driving DOWNWARD as if you're a POLE VAULTER. Thus you have to engage your entire core i.e. your LATS which connect to your intercostal muscles, to your abdominals, to your Obliques and even to your HIP Flexors.

Learn to use your BODYWEIGHT and literally FALL your weight onto the paddle.

Have a very LIGHT GRIP, the harder you grip with your hand the more ARMS you use, and the less BIG muscles ( like your lats, lower back, abs, chest) you use.

Get your REACH from your rotation but by standing up as straight as you can.

SUP technique comes from OUTRIGGER paddling– the only difference is the LENGTH of the LEVER ( the Shaft ) and therefore the LOAD / Torque on the stroke. If you can do SUP correctly, you can do OUTRIGGER.. and VICE-VERSA .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJPU6OMduB8

It’s all about the FORWARD CATCH of the water... you cannot "BREAK" the Terminal Resistance of water by ripping a "Hole" in the water with your arm strength - or you LOSE TRACTION.

Speed :

If you want to paddle with a HIGHER stroke rate, INCREASE the speed of the RETURNING the paddle to the entry point, NOT by ripping a hole in the water at a Faster rate - that's SPINNING YOUR WHEELS ! Get AWAY from the concept of having to PULL BACKWARDS faster to move FORWARD faster. The downward Drive to Catch creates LIFT, If you pull with your bottom arm first, you’ll Perl (Dive) the nose of the board and that kills the glide. In terms of EFFORT and POWER, its more like 50% Top Arm ( Lat ) and 50% bottom as combined power of each stroke

Questions: Contact Darren or Jeff, or better yet, go to Hawaii and seek out a lesson from the Chief Eternal Optimist!

Aloha

Ian Foo

< Older Post

Like what you see, give us a share!

Congratulations Reiff

By rich • November 18, 2019

Race: Bay Sup Frost Bite Series! Congratulations to our good friend Reiff who competed in his first ever sup race on a board that he has never been on. Reiff came 1st in the 4km technical race on board the Gun and absolutely smashed it with no prior training on the board. We are looking forward to see what damage can be done when our new 14' Gun and race boards arrive here in the uk. Photography by Howard Shep

Buying the right board for you

By rich • October 18, 2019

So you're looking to buy a new board? With so many brands out there all selling different shapes, sizes, inflatable, solid and it can be a bit of headache trying to find what will work for you not just now but in the long run. First thing to do is grab one of the magazines which deal with the sup scene within the Uk either Sup Mag uk or Sup International , as both of these mags do reviews of every top brand so you can get a feel for what these professionals think of each board. Usually back issues are free to download online so no money wasted there. Once you have found a couple of brands that you like the look of, you can then dive into there website and see what collection they have to offer. If you know what direction ( touring, racing, surfing, leisure, yoga, all-round or downwind) you want to head in, then you will be able to see if they offer a range that would be suited to you. If this is a first purchase then why not give the brand a call. If you can get hold of the brand directly then you have the best chance of getting 100% of the facts rather than a salesman like pitch based on budget and stock. If possible then 100% ask them to demo a board, some brands will have a collection of demo boards as this is an important part of buying a board. Although you may have a rough idea of what board you think will be good for you based on size and literage it doesn't necessarily mean that the shaping of the board or build will be the same as other brands with similar literage so testing them out for yourself will save you so much frustration, time and money in the long run. Hope this has helped and if you would ever like to chat more or test out a board then comment below or give us a shout as we are here to help you make the most of your water time. ' Would you buy a car without driving it? ' Mahalo

New Collection Incoming

By rich • October 17, 2019

Our New Collection is incoming, we are super excited to receive boards that have never the uk shores. This year is going to be a game changer with our brand new 14' Raceboard, 7'0 and 8'0 Coffee table board with US and Tuttle foil box fitted and a board like no other in the WORLD, our 14' Low Volume Gun. Keep your eyes peeled as once these hit our shores they wont stick around for long.

Molokai Hoe

By Rich • October 14, 2019

The Moloka'i Hoe is an annual outrigger canoe race between the islands of Molokai and Oahu, Hawaii. The race is one of Hawaii's largest annual sporting events, drawing participants from Hawaii and the U.S. mainland as well as internationally. Participating countries include Australia, New Zealand, England, Germany, Japan, Hong Kong, and Tahiti. Canoes launch from the Hale o Lono Harbor off the west side of Molokai and travel approximately 41 miles across the Kaiwi Channel to Fort DeRussy beach, Waikiki. The channel is said to be among one of the most treacherous spans of ocean in the world, with the current record time for the passage being under 5 hours. Ians Words : Molokai Hoe ... 1st Masters 50s..the only Age Group crew to beat us was the Tahitian young 40s...This year Tahiti sent an unprecedented 12 crews to Hawaii ... Top 20 got real crowded ... we did beat the both 50s Tahitian crews though...not the sleigh ride that was forecasted ...just Brutal conditions..