Downwinders!

 

Downwinders are FUN! Lots of fun! Less effort, more glide, more surfing, they are an incredible thing to do. Choose your location carefully so that you know exactly where you are getting in, out and also any access points in between the two. On rigid boards, this will involve car logistics, with inflatables, it could also involve checking public transport times too!

 

Using unbroken swell as it passes underneath you gives you an extra push and speed on the water, even bigger waves enable you to surf them. On small to medium sized swell what you are wanting is to look for a bit of water in front of you that looks like its downhill (or anticipate a bit of swell coming from behind you that may do this), you then want to lean forward and PADDLE HARD to get onto this unbroken wave. You should find the board accelerates downwards towards the waves bottom (its ‘trough’), you want to use the acceleration but not go completely into the trough. This means you then want to bring your weight slightly further backwards to stop the boards nose going in the trough, and keeping you accelerating forwards. In larger swell, it may involve you popping into a surf stance, to keep the acceleration, and to stop the nose going into the trough. Downwinders are great practise for the pop of getting into your surf stance, as you can do it over and over again.

Effect of wind and waves.

 

Wind and waves have a huge effect on stand up paddleboarding. Too windy and, because of how the board sits above the water,the board will struggle to move well upwind. Too wavy and tactics and planning getting in and out are needed. If you believe that the conditions are above your skill level, then find a venue more suitable, if you are still happy to go out, lets look at how you can make your life easier.

 

is move your weight forward on the board, this means that much less of the boards surface area is in contact with the wind, and also you, the paddler, are controlling much less of the board, so its easier to keep the board facing up wind.

 

When you are paddling directly downwind, moving your weight slightly backwards on the board has a similar effect, you are now controlling less of the board as less of the board is being affected by the wind.

 

The distance you move up and down the board will change depending on the conditions and your personal preferences, but should make a difference in your paddling. Next time you see the lines of a gust on the water coming towards you, have a practise of a slight shift of positioning on the board and you will notice the difference.

 

When you are out in conditions that are not just flat and calm, try to always have an active blade, by this we mean that your paddle is always either doing a stroke or in the vicinity of the water. The board moving gives you more stability than staying still, and having a blade near or preferably in the water means you can keep moving, and also use the paddle as a brace for extra support.

 

Wave Paddling Techniques

 

Wind also creates waves, these may not always be breaking ones like the ones that we surf on but they can still be used to our advantage.

 

When paddling out through unbroken waves, look at always having an active paddle and an aggressive posture to get through them, when paddling across them, it can help to use the following tactics to aid you. Paddling across the waves the waves are making you unstable pushing you away from your preferred destination, so paddle mainly on the down wave board side to keep the board pointing to your preferred destination. Using a ferry gliding technique, of paddling on the downwave side combined with angle the board slightly into the waves, and upwind of your final destination is a very effective technique. It means that the waves mean you are less unstable and the waves help propel you across to your final destination point.