Beginners often make the mistake of holding the paddle of a SUP upside down. But how is a SUP paddle held correctly and why is that so important? The paddle is, next to the SUP board itself, the most important equipment in stand-up paddling. Without the paddle you will not move forward. You pick up speed with your SUP when you paddle properly and steer your board. Only the correct paddling technique ensures that you glide effortlessly through the water, prevent injuries, achieve an even greater training effect and quickly cut a really good figure with your new hobby. You want to know how to hold the SUP paddle correctly and how you can improve your paddling posture? In the following article, we have taken a closer look at how you can learn to paddle properly with SUP in order to ride even longer distances without taking a major break and to increase your riding fun.
Tip: With us you will find a large selection of high-quality paddles for your board, which make optimal handling easy and guarantee relaxed, sporty fun.
Holding the SUP paddle correctly is immensely important, as you can only use the SUP paddle to move on your board. It’s like the engine and your use of muscles ensures the drive. You yourself have it with your Paddle in your hand how much speed you want to pick up and where you want to go. Stand-Up Paddling only gains its special charm with proper paddling. Steerability, agility and maneuverability are related to correct paddle stance. As soon as you have figured out the right sequence of movements, you will be much more relaxed, targeted and safer. Curves and changing direction are thus no longer a problem. To hold your paddle properly, you need a special technique. We’ll tell you what it looks like in the next section. First, let’s take a look at the length of the SUP paddle, which is also important if you want to hold the paddle properly.
Before you settle on your Board swing, you should adjust the length of your paddle to your height. Most SUP paddles can be varied in size. Three-piece models are also easy to transport. Only when you are more advanced, you can think about a fixed paddle. As a rule of thumb to hold the SUP paddle properly, the paddle should be about 22.5cm to 25cm longer than your height. Remember: When you extend your arm upward, the paddle knob should be about the same height as your wrist.
In order to hold the SUP paddle correctly later on, the stand is the basis. For beginners, a simple starting position has proven effective. Later you can also try, for example, the challenging surfer stand. For the easiest paddling position, stand in the middle of the board. Your legs and feet are shoulder-width apart and aligned parallel to the edge of the board. Your gaze goes to the front part of your SUP board. To hold the SUP paddle correctly, you enclose the handle with one hand and the shaft with the other hand. When you later use the paddle and start the paddle stroke, make sure that your arms form a 90 degree angle and that your upper arm always remains stretched.
You now know how to hold a SUP paddle properly. Now it’s time for the paddling technique. Good to know: How do I hold the SUP paddle correctly?
If you look at a SUP paddle from the side, you will inevitably notice the kink between the paddle shaft and the paddle blade. But contrary to the opinion of many SUP beginners, the kink of the paddle has to point forward! The desired and targeted escape of water at the sides of the paddle blade is what makes straight paddle strokes possible in the first place. If the bend of the paddle blade points backwards, a controlled and straight paddle pull is not possible.
If you want to go to the right, paddle on the left side. If you want to go left, you apply several paddle strokes on the right side. Your gaze aligns with the direction of travel.
Bend your knees a bit and mobilize the power for the paddle stroke out of your torso. Tension this to do so. When paddling, a distinction is made between a basic stroke and a bow stroke. With the basic stroke you glide relaxed along the water. To do this, bend the torso slightly forward and dip the paddle into the water up to about the shaft. End of the paddle pull is at the level of your heels. Just before the end, you can turn the SUP paddle slightly outward, which improves straight-line speed. When paddling, make sure to hold the SUP paddle correctly and correct your posture if necessary.
The arc stroke is necessary for a change of direction and cornering. Here you dip the paddle in the front area of your board and move it in the largest possible radius, in an arc, away from the nose of the board. You can learn how to paddle the SUP correctly with a professional in around three to four hours. After that, it’s a matter of diligently practicing and learning.
At grandtourssports you will receive the ideal equipment to hold your SUP paddle properly.
Last day – On the ninth day of the Amazon SUP Adventure Tour, the travelers observed large macaws (parrots) early in the morning and everyone
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