Some people spoon their paddle through the water as if it were a gourmet yoghurt: just half of the paddle blade dips into the water. This has nothing to do with pleasure paddling - it's called water scraping. And it's a waste of energy. So: scoop up the spoonful and enjoy it. However, Mathieu Fouliard from Tahiti clearly shows us with great drone shots that immersion alone is not enough for perfect navigation and optimum progress.
Paddling properly needs to be learnt - our SUP ancestors, the canoeists, know this too. The key questions are: How far should the paddle blade be pushed forwards? How far should the blade be pulled back before it loses effectiveness? And what role do body and foot position play on different courses? We give you the answers to these questions here. Dig in!
Paddling secret no. 1: Punch far in front
The first secret: Put the blade as far forward as possible into the water (this phase is called "reach"). The energy is in the first third of the board.
Paddling secret no. 2: immerse the blade completely
The second secret: If the blade is not fully immersed in the water, the paddle does not have its full capacity. So: Immerse the blade 100 per cent (this phase is called "catch") and only then initiate the paddle pull backwards (this phase is called the "power phase").
Paddling secret no. 3: Don't pull back too far
The third secret: don't pull the blade too far back. The power zone reaches approximately to the height of the paddler.
Paddling secret no. 4: Dive in vertically
The formula is simple: if you paddle correctly, you will make good progress - even when cruising at a relaxed pace. The secret: the paddle shaft must always be dipped as vertically as possible into the water when catching. The knob hand (upper pressure hand) is directly above the shaft hand. If the technique is incorrect and too casual, the pommel hand would be over the other half of the board and the shaft at the wrong angle. If the shaft is not plunged vertically, the blade cannot be pulled back straight and effectively.
Paddling secret no. 5: The triangle of forces
The upper body, the arms and the upper third of the paddle shaft form a triangle during the effective catch (dipping phase) - the triangle of forces.
Paddling secret no. 6: Bend your upper body forwards
The body supports this process in the power (pull) phase by folding forwards. The upper body straightens up briefly in the return phase. Secret 6 only works if secret 5 (upper arm remains extended in the power triangle) is used.
Paddling secret no. 7: The paddling frequency
The repetitions of the paddle strokes in the power zone (paddle frequency) form secret 7: the faster the paddle frequency, the more propulsion you have. Training or blade size now determine the duration of a fast frequency.
Paddling secret no. 8: Pressure on the blade
The further the body folds forwards, the more pressure can be exerted on the blade. It is important that the upper arm pushes the paddle handle forwards with physical effort and that the forearm pulls the shaft firmly. The forearm grip should be as wide as possible (about shoulder width).
