SUP riding technique: Race paddling technique
SUP riding technique: Race paddling technique
The SUP paddle stroke is being completely redeveloped. Bart de Zwart, the unbeatable long-distance champion and Connor Baxter, currently the fastest man on the SUP raceboard, reveal how to turn a lame D-train into a speedy InterCityExpress. Not only racers benefit from the technique. In the waves, the effective paddle stroke counts just as much.
In the Hawaiian stroke, the paddle blade is thrust far forward and fully into the water. However, depending on your arm and body strength, you should stick the blade 100 per cent (strong racers) or 75 per cent (medium-strength racers, e.g. Connor or women) into the water during the catch (penetration phase).
You can download the complete report on SUP race paddling technique as a PDF below.
De Zwart: "When sprinting, my fingers grip tightly around the knob and the shaft so that I don't lose the paddle under any circumstances. Over long distances, however, the fingers must remain relaxed when paddling. Keeping the thumbs loose (as in the picture) allows the forearm muscle to relax. The force is distributed more over the upper body."
