I'm trying to get some training in leading up to some races next month. At the moment we have strong off shore winds and when paddling down the coast it is hitting me on the side. Not only am I having to paddle on one side only but sometimes even have to stop, back paddle on the other side just to stop the board always wanting to head downwind.
Is this constant struggle to track straight a technique problem, fin problem, board problem, sup problem or all of the above?
BTW I'm paddling on a starboard 12'6" cruiser with a big jimmy lewis fin on it (The black one)
Thanks for any tips
In all fairness I don't think a lot of people bother going out in those conditions...
I am no SUP racer by any means but the below are things I have picked up over time from just paddling around even just in the surf.
Try draw stroking on the side that you want to pull towards rather than paddle on the side that turns you that way naturally. You can work out how many draw strokes are required to pull you that way per count to stay on course. It gives you a break from being always on the same side.
Also you can stand a touch further forwards to get the nose down closer to the water to take away some of the effect of the wind.
IMHAIO a ruddered board does not really overcome these conditions either, if you stay on the rudder full time it creates heaps of drag and slows you down, better to keep the board moving fast ahead...
Hope it helps in any way. They work for me anyway.
Welcome to the world of Aussie downwind/cross winders , good to get practice in that as you probably will race in it.
Shift your feet slightly more to surfing stance on the side you paddle most change your stroke angle a little pulling the away at the back helping push the nose around.
Grit your teeth and focus on the horizon........good luck.
Thanks for the advice guys.
If $ were no issue, I'd get an oc1 as its a magic time of year to paddling up and down the coast especially early morning except for these strong off shore winds.
Gday AK, I think there is a technique trick that can help a little - or at least is worth trying. I guess in your case if it's blowing from the east most of the time you are paddling on the west side of the board, as you stroke depress the west rail of the board a little, let the power of the stroke and the steering created by depressing the rail constantly steer you back to the beach. And as Lacey says, if there is any swell try and work with that and time the steering effect with push from the swell, the surfing stance thing really helps too. Standing further forward on the board lets the steering by depressing the rail 'thing' work better too.
You could also put the fin as far forward as you can, loosen the board up so that all the tips have a better chance of working, maybe even try a smaller fin if you have one.
We have the same problem with down winders where the wind isn't right behind you and every swell just wants to push you off course.
You didn't ask about rudder steering, but yes it's fantastic !!
For general touring, will you get a fair bit more speed/reward from other boards, like the 12'6 Surfrace, The New, The Catalina, and those styles of boards.
There is minor set-up time with some OC1's, attaching the outrigger. SUP's are drop & go.
You look like a man with a few boards.... Can you afford another? Because I can tell you that I really enjoy my 17, and if it was a 16, or 18, you'll still have loads of fun !! No matter which brand. The Unlimited Class gives you so much stability and speed in the open waters. Plus rudders help you when conditions are not right, or when conditions change.
But, with your 12'6 you can go pretty much everywhere a 17 will go, but nowhere near as quick.
The unlimited boards are brilliant tourers, whether it be open water, coast runs, island hops, inland waterways, lakes, rivers, swollen wetlands..... I doubt I will ever sell mine. Plus I see loads of different stuff on it every week. You can take them out in a pretty big range of conditions too, and feel comfortable.
Hey Hawk, there are some cheaper OC1's on Ausoutrigger right now. Time on the 1 man makes you better in the 6.
You sound like you really want one, talk to Barts over there i am sure he could locate you a good boat easily. No more wind problems....
