Paddling is a crucial skill in surfing as without it you couldn’t get out or catch a wave. Being a good paddler will really improve your surfing and make the experience even more enjoyable. The main factors that affect your paddling are fitness/strength, positioning and technique.

• Positioning
  

Being in the right position is the key the good paddling. Your weight needs to be centered over the board so you paddle in a straight line. You also should not lead to far back as the tail will sink increasing resistance and making harder to paddle. If you are too far forward the nose will submerge also causing problems. The optimum is to have the nose a couple of inches above the water level.

• Technique

The correct technique for efficient paddling is to cup your hands to increase surface area and use long smooth strokes to pull yourself through the water. Don’t splash around slapping the water as hard and fast as you can, you’ll look like a right kook and will embaress your self when you fall off. There’s nothing wrong with putting a lot of effort into paddling, just make sure your utilising your efforts by have good technique. Doing this you’ll increase your wave count and tire yourself out less.

• Strength and Fitness

If your having problems with being able to stay out long enough because your aching from paddling it may be because of your technique (read above for advice) if not it would be a good idea to improve your strength and fitness. An easy way to do this is too go swimming as it is exactly the same movement as paddling. You should see an improvement after a month or so depend on your current fitness levels. You could also hit the gym, cardio for your fitness and weights will improve you strength. Paddling uses your deltoids (shoulders), triceps and back so try to target these areas. You should soon see results when out surfing and you’ll be able to go for much longer.

Looks like Kellys been working out...

The pop-up is an essential skill in surfing, it can take months to fully master it if you do not learn the right way. This is how a surfer progresses to stand-up surfing. Experienced surfers may make it look really easy but it can be pretty challenging. It would be wise to practise on land first to get the hang of it and improve your technique. You will also need to know wether you are regular or goofy.

• Step one – Prepare

You need to be lying central on your board with your weight centered. The nose (front) of the board short be raised around two inches above the water level to stop you from perling (when the nose gets buried in the water and you wipeout) When the wave comes start paddling hard just before you feel it start to lift you up (if your practising on land just to a few practise strokes)

• Step two – Catch the wave
  

As the wave starts to propell you forward, shift your weight slightly forward as leaning too far back will stop you from catching the wave. Extend your arms and plant your hands the on the rails (sides) of your board whilst keeping the rest of your body straight and low, like a push-up position.

• Step three – Standing up

So your in the right position and you’ve caught the wave, now you’ve got to stand up. In one fluid motion, push/spring up with your arms. Bring knee’s up to your chest underneath you and plant them firmly on the middle of your board, back foot near the tail and front foot near the middle.

• Step four – Balance

Keep your knee’s slight bent and arms extended for balance with around 2/3 of your weight on your front foot. Don’t forget to keep looking ahead and keep your center of gravity low

There you go! Get out there and practise! If your finding it hard practise the movement at home, doing simple exersises like press-ups and sit-ups will improve your strength which will make it much easier for you. Have fun!

Before you go surfing you will need to determine wether you are either goofy or regular footed. This reffers to which is your leading foot when surfing. The majority of people are regular (around 70%) and put their left foot in front, but if your right foot leads then congratulations, your goofy like me If you skateboard, snowboard, wakeboard etc. it will be the same for surfing.

But which one am I i hear you cry! Luckily there are a couple of easy ways to tell

• Close your eyes. Get a friend to push you forward. Which foot did you use to stop yourself landing flat on your face? This will be your leading foot.

• Put on some thick socks and find a slippery surface. Run and skid across the floor, which foot did you lead with?

Hopefully by now you’ve discovered if your regular or goofy. It doesn’t matter which you are, it’s just natural to have a dominant foot.