Hi Paddle Pals
I have been doing a fair bit of paddling into wind and it's hard work. I was wondering if anybody has any tips or tricks other than pure grunt and hard work.
When standing up my speed into wind is about 2-3 kph. Downwind and in flat water I can get 6-8 kph. It's not bad for exercise paddling because you can grunt for the first 30-40 minutes then warm down for the return 15-20.
The most effective way of getting upwind in strong winds I have found is to simply lie down and hand paddle. This works ok for getting out to catch bay slop in winds up to 20 knots. You need to paddle a fair way out so you have time to rest and get settled for the paddle in to catch waves. Bay slop is just as surfable as ocean slop and you don't have to drive as far.
Kneeling doesn't help too much because your body still makes a substantial sail and the into wind effect amplifies the turning characteristics of the board.
For surfing in offshore conditions a little breeze (10-15 knots) can turn a good session in to a frustrating excercise in bashing at the water with the paddle. 2-3 kph is not enough to accelerate to catch waves and the sail effect of the board and my body is enough to get blown back off the wave.
The only way I found to catch waves in offshore winds was to lie down paddle, catch the wave, then jump up and grab the paddle and continue. This is verging on circus trick material and requires lots of stuff to work. It's probably better to just leave the paddle in the car and surf the SUP board as a giant mal.
Greg, I have found that using my short wooden canoe paddle whilst kneeling on the board is a lot more efficient than standing up battling into strong head winds. For this reason I've been thinking about attaching the short paddle to the deck when I go for a really long 'touring' paddle, such as the trip that we did across Westernport Bay. That way, if I get caught out in really crappy conditions, I have an option.
This solution won't help in the surf though, obviously.
A mate has found sitting on the board and using the paddle as a double-ender quite effective. You hold the paddle near the blade at one end and dip a long length of the handle end in for the alternate stroke.
It is very effective. I guess the area of a big length of handle is close to that of a paddle blade. It is not very efficient. You go very fast but you get tired pretty quickly and it feels really odd.
We've toyed with the idea of a collapsible velcro on blade but got no further than thinking it might be good. Lots of engineering problems spring to mind but no ingenious solutions so far.
imo, the only way to paddle on a SUP is standing up.
I respect beginners that paddle on their knees, we all had to learn
But as soon as you get a bit of experience you have to accept the challenge of paddling on your feet everywhere (to go through the breacking waves as well, no problem if you fall off, but at least try it...) and in any conditions (including chop and wind)
it's the same as riding a bicycle uphill, if you need to jump off and push, you're a loser 
A shorter paddle helps a lot as well
Thanks for the reply. So how exactly do you paddle into wind at a reasonable speed in a 20 knot wind?
I know what you mean Greg. The weather has been pretty hard going in Melbourne. I went for a paddle on Sunday. I think it was blowing about 15knots. I kind of enjoy gritting my teeth and battling it trying to stay straight and stable in the chop, I hate how the wind always blows you side on when you are paddling against it. However, I tend to agree with eric that you should stand up. Just remember the trip back is twice the fun.
So the real answer is you guys don't know any better than I do. Why didn't you just say so?
Me too...I'd rather stay standing even if it means going slower than kneel down and hold the paddle way down the shaft..I think it looks dorky.. 
There has been the odd time when I have had to kneel down but I only do it if I really, really have to..and hope no ones looking.. 
I think long deep strokes bending at the waist and swapping sides every few strokes is the way to go..I try and hit the wind square on rather than at an angle.
Stepping forward on the board also helps.. 
DJ
Must have been a windy weekend.
I know it was for me yesterday afternoon and I was thinking man this is hard. I remember seeing a video of Laird at Hookipa in unbelievably windy conditions so I searched for it and watched it again. Well I felt humbled with what I saw and it made me determined to practice, get fitter and stronger and master it.
Check it out
Living in Geraldton the wind surfing capital we have plenty of experience with strong winds. The solution I have is to paddle at 45 degrees to the wind. Like tacking on a yacht. Fighting upstream is tiresome. Lay on the wind and stroke on other side.
