I wonder how long before this is a reality.
News Report to hand
The year 200? Beetle Slater (Kelly's son) Paddles into a triple over head monster
at second reef Pipeline on his 6'10''. As he drops down the face he reaches behind
his back and grasps the custom short board paddle (SBP) velcro'd to a strap on his
back. Letting it flail in the wind he gouges a massive bottom turn, ignoring the
implement until half way back up the face of the wave. Suddenly he plants the
paddle and using it as a pivot performs a complete roundhouse 360 INSIDE the
barrel. Later in the day he manages 2 stand up barrel rolls using his paddle to
acheive the speed needed to complete them. Since short board surfing started
incorporating a paddle the sport has grown in leaps and bounds.
Yeah, I keep on having this vision of being able to colapse my paddle and put it in a back pack. I don't use a paddle for turning, it slows me down and hurts my back. My boards are loose enough. I think today, that paddle turns were invented for the tankers. One vision of the future is paddles for paddling, tail lift for turning.
Rod
IMO the paddle is a crutial part of the surfing side of SUP. It allows you to get your body weight way out off the rail in conditions were you normally wouldn't. It adds power and extra drive to your turns when used correctly, and some of the freaks are now planting awesome airs initiated off the paddle (kind of like a hand plant). Sup for me know has changed a great deal since I first started. At first it was cool to be able to catch waves I normally couldn't, but now I love the surf ability of the board using the paddle. I think if you want to ride a 9'+ board and not use the paddle in turns, you should use a performance Mal.
Elbeau, I have been thinking about taking a shorter paddle out on my shortboard for this exact theory, well maybe not the 360 round house in the barrel, but as an addition to my surfing, especially in small gutless surf.
JB
JB,
Thats all good and I totally understand how the paddle helps initiate turns BUT we are all free to surf in what ever style that each of us likes. I sometimes prefer the pure surfing turns compared the use of the paddle. Its a bit harder to do without the paddle but with the advert of the newer shorter boards, its possible. I don't think in this sport anything should be discounted as wrong. A vert bottom turn with a slashy cutback is sick either way so lets encourage all styles.
Regards,
Scott
Its a bit like the Mal surfing argument, progressive versus traditional style of surfing. In this case traditional style is not using the paddle to surf with and progressive is using the paddle to surf with.
But my traditional SUP surfing style is progressive Mal style
Rod
I personally believe that paddles should be used on the wave because u can crank bigger and better turns when using them.
If u go in a SUP comp u get scored on how you use the paddle on the wave.
But everyone has there own thing they like to do.
Possibly the most pure and exciting moves in kiteboarding and windsurfing are the lay down toe-side carving turn, similar to the hard bottom turn on a surfboard.
I think most new SUPers think they are going to use the paddle as a rudder on waves. It's not until you try it and almost tear your arm off at the shoulder that you realise that the paddle is more of a hydrofoil and an extra planing surface.
I think SUP will develop along these lines with massive carving turns enhanced by the planing capabilities of the paddle.
Look I didn't set out to stir dissention among the members.
However you surf and with whatever is fine with me (Except maybe goat boats) The point I was trying to make is how long will it be before SOME shortboarders adopt paddles. The next logical step would be some wunderkind ripping at another level because of the paddle.
elbeau, no dissention here, just an open channel for raving about anything, opinions invited.
Rod
Hey Ben,
It's is interesting that;
1/ I agree the paddle helps crank bigger turns but I ask, if the board is up to it would you need to use the paddle? I guess we will see as new designs come out.
2/ It's assumed cos its paddle surfing that the paddle must be incorpoated to score points in comps. Well that might be true but if I saw someone cranking better turns without using the paddle, it would score just as high in my books.
Tow surfers still rip after they let go of the rope.....
Jeeze if kitesurfing could get rid of they kite once on the wave, the wave riding would improve.....
I've gone out on my SUP without the paddle and trust me u can't turn it.
I haven't seen anyone do big turns on a SUP with out using the paddle.
I'm always planting my paddle in the wave and turning around that (heel-side), pushing myself through a turn with the paddle (heel-side) or leaning on my paddle during a turn (toe-side). I have both hands on the paddle at all times and just about every major turn involves my paddle in some way.
I like it because it feels comfortable and gives you extra drive as well as stability.
But that's just me - and how I surf.
Check out this vid of me riding a mal the other day. Look at my hands - I don't quite know what to do with them. It's because I'm so used to using my paddle to turn with now. It feels weird riding a 9ft+ board without a paddle now.
I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY VERY INTERESTING TOPIC
I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE SOME FOOTAGE OF SOMEONE ON A SMALL SUP DOING MASSIVE TURNS WITH OUT A PADDLE
SHOW US ALL HOW IT’S DONE
IM KEEN TO LEARN
THANKS MARTY
Just come over to Coffs Harbour and do a demo. PM me or call, check my profile for details.
Rod
Why would he need to demo?
It looks like he can already surf a SUP by looking at his Avatar.
LOL i need a god dam paddle to turn there is no question about it! No way ever i could turn my sup with out one.
XX angie
I wonder how easy SUP boards will turn this time next year with or without a paddle.
I don't use a paddle because the twisting action of using a paddle, especially with cutties hurts my back, this is because of a previous injury. So I have made the boards I ride easier to turn without using a paddle.
I wonder how much faster they would turn if you used a paddle for the extra leverage?
Rod
Whats the point of supping without a paddle , i dont get it!The best thing about sup is the versatility.obviousley its horses for courses some guys like to surf more than paddle , but the thing i like the most about the bigger boards is they do it all generally ill park my car a k or so from the beach and paddle down river to the beach for a bit of fitness then catch a few waves , just stand around on my very stable board and then paddle back , i think going way small with sup is getting away from the reason it is so good in the first place.
Whenever I see someone surfing a SUP board and just holding the paddle they look a bit like a retard..IMO...It just looks a bit dumb.
That one little SUP bit in the OneCaliforniaDay movie is like that..He just holds the paddle in one hand and surfs the wave...It's not a good look.
I have seen footage of some people doing too much paddle work and that looks a bit dumb also...Does that make me fussy..
DJ
