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Hi,
I have been trying to master downwinding on my 2011 Hobie 14 elite, without achieving the sort of result expected.
First attempt was about 8km from Yaroomba to Mudjumba on the Sunshine Coast Qld. That was in around 20 knots + of northerly with a NE swell. I have had some instruction since then as well as learning from some videos, I have improved, however I am having to paddle all the way, not able to catch any runners, maybe one short runner in 3 kms. I have also tried a different board to see if that makes a difference, a Jerry Lopez 14 footer, no difference. I went out again on the hobie last weekend from Maroochydore to Mooloolaba, generally a SSW direction with a NNW wind at around 20 knots and NE swell. Still only caught one short runner.
My expectations of downwinding was like in this video, (see link).
Try a Naish Glide.. 
It can be very frustrating but keep trying and things will start to click.
I think your Hobie is a great board but may be holding you back in the DWing department .. 
DJ
i think you should watch dj's videos when he has the camera behind him. watch carefully.
he's looking for the bump/trough in front. when he's see that and feels the back of the board lift thats when he puts in the strokes.timing is the key
you only have to get on it and stay there.
don't go madly charging down the swell unless you can get over that bump in front.
hold it in the spot where the board went under its own power.
don't look behind like you do surfing- watch the troughs and bumps in front and in your peripheral vision
obviously there is a lot more too it but it comes with time in the ocean.
small swell high wind is ideal
big ocean swells, high wind is a rush but is usually multi directional which is tricky.
you will get it, but try to find someone who knows how too,and give some on water tips- will save time.
cheers
ps would be happy to do a run with you if your on the loldie at any stage
I'll add to Dj's splendid advice - sounds like your conditions are a little tricky - definitely easier when wind and swell come from the same direction, even easier if that swell is low-fetch windswell and not ocean rollers. The most common errors I see is paddling at the wrong time, poor paddling technique and standing too far back.
Your board has a sweet spot where it will pick up runners more willingly, on the old Glide this is a fraction ahead of handle on the new Glide it is just behind the handle - try and ask others that ride same board.
Don't be fooled by how easy JR and the gang make it look - when they paddle they plant their blade and get substantial purchase on each paddle stroke.
Lots of videos around on how to improve paddle stroke - and then find protected flatwater to practice it - don't try and learn paddlestrokes on a downwinder.
And then it's the timing, to sum it up - don't paddle uphill, only paddle when your nose is pointing down, look for a "hole"/dip in front of your board to paddle into.
Applying all of above should get you into runs in no time - and don't despair my first downwinders were also long paddles with wind in the back....
KennyK - great topic.
I'm in a similar situation. I've probably done 8 or so proper (>15 knot) downwinders now in Ballina northern NSW and am just starting to get the hang of it ('starting' being the operative word). Ocean swell is probably the most frustrating thing for me, then temptation as a long time surfer is to look over the shoulder, line up a big crest coming towards you, only to have it slip under you at about twice the speed your travelling. Then the effect that a NE swell will have on a N wind chop makes things pretty frustrating, let alone swell bouncing of headlands, etc.
A couple of things that are helping me:
- Before I go out - if I can't see lots of whitecaps then I don't expect epic rides.
- Get out to sea a bit. If I'm in close, the swells peak up on the shallower reefy sections (say 5m depth) and I get into the whole surfer mindset again. If I get out say 1km out things get a little bit more organised and more wind dominated.
- It's possible to catch runners without paddling at all. I'm trying to get into the habit of waiting for some good wind gusts and concentrate on keeping weight forward and just let the wind push me into little short runners, then steping back so the nose doesn't bury in to the wave in front.
My key issue is maintaining momentum and it's all related to balance. I'm finding I often get into a reasonable runner, but then need to brace with the paddle to stop falling in - this is just enough to knock the momentum down so that I can't link into the next runner.
I'll be keen to see what other replies and advice you get!
FB's notion on the windstrength is a good one - the windier it is, the easier it gets. Light wind dwds you can still catch bumps but it's way more work and technical.
And yes, you never, ever, look behind you, it's all about whats happening in front of your board.
Catching small swells in a surfbreak teaches you good control of the craft but I find it does very little for teaching you how to catch runs on a dwd run - it's just very different.
If you look at DJ's vids with rearmounted camera you'll see he is always putting his nose into a dip - behind the dip is a mound and that is what you are riding.
I'm always looking for the biggest wave.. Letting it go.. and getting in behind it.
Hey Ken.. Just wondering.. How heavy are you.
DJ
I don't know about you Kenny, but another problem I get is that there's no real protected local spots to launch from on a NE wind, so it's a ocean beach launch with say 500m of paddling perpendicular to the wind to get out enough to clear the next headland. One thing I've noticed is that the north winds go through gust cycles, maybe 15mins hard, then a bit of lull etc. It makes so much difference to just sit on the beach and wait for a gap to do that initial paddle out.
If you paddle hard and almost pick up a bump but not quite, use the momentum to hopefully help you get onto the next one. Try to put the nose of you board into the back of the bump in front of you. It is a different feeling to riding a wave. Sometimes feels more like being pulled along rather than pushed along by a wave.
Sounds like I'm getting some really good advice. Certainly some stuff I will try to use going forward.
Thanks heaps guys!
Ken.
I struggled in a Northerly the first few runs I had. Around here it seems the Northerly makes for steep bumps but they seem harder to link up. Maybe because the bumps from the wind will travel in a North- South direction but the swell will rarely be doing the same. I found it easier to learn in a Southerly. The bumps seem to be more groomed somehow and you don't have to chase them as much.
Somewhere like Mooloolaba -North in a 15 -20 SSE wind would be perfect. Or even just Alex headland to Maroochy Rivermouth. The forecast for Friday/Saturday this week looks good for paddle up there.
I've no expert at all but my technique is too wait till swell goes past then paddle hard the next swell will pick me up when I drop off that paddle hard again and repeat so far worked for me but once again no expert at all.
Maybe stilly question but do u surf on ur sup? Maybe a good form of training for u and good fun
G’day KennyK Downwind Paddling is a very unique sport I love it. I’ve Been doing it now since May 2003 (11 years) Jamie Mitchell introduced me to the sport one day when he was paddling past me while I was surfing. I got in his face I thought this would be fun to do and the fitness side of things would be beneficial when the surf gets blown out. So Jamie introduced me to Adrian Burse and shaped me an 18ft Prone Paddleboard stoked. In 2007 I went to Maui to paddle in the Hennessey’s Paddleboard Championship and saw a 16ft Open Ocean Downwind Stand Up Board for the first time and defected from Prone paddle-boarding stoked.
KennyK it’s going to take you about 2 years to work it all out and become proficient at Downwind Paddling, it’s not a sport you can learn over night theres a lot to it than you think. Remember when you first started surfing it takes 10 years to become any good at it. It’s just time in the ocean.
3 simple steps
1. Always look straight ahead you’ve got 180 degrees peripheral vision. Never look over your shoulder focus on the nose of your SUP and look no further than 15 feet ahead 4 metres a head.
2. When you feel the tail of your SUP lift you’ll be on a swell or in the trough or on a small bump. If the nose of the SUP is sticking in the air means the swell you just mist is under your SUP so try not to paddle (e.g. paddling up hill)
3. If you can get the nose of your SUP into the swell in-front of you the swell will suck your SUP along with it like a vacuum cleaner
You will find a good SSE wind and Swell is much more fun and easier to Downwind Paddle especially if you live on the East Coast of Australia. The NE winds and Swells are not as good for Downwind SUP I recon s##t, I'll only paddle a paddleboard when it's NE just for some different muscle fitness.
Small ocean swells are good but big ocean ground swells are much more fun when the wind is 25+ knots you’ll surf for a few hundreds of metres. The longest swell I’ve ever Downwinded went for like a minute “Yes Please Mr Wizard”
I have 3 Downwind SUP’s KennyK
f18 for flat water or winds 15 knots or less
f16 for Open Ocean goes unreal in 25+ knot winds
Bullet that fits in-between the f18 & f16
Left to Right Bullet, f18, f16
My 18 foot Prone Paddleboard
How good is the spray job on the Paddleboard right where your chest goes
Kenny K,
I am not an authority by a long shot, but I can comment on the runs you mention as I have done them,
I live at Yaroomba and regularly paddle south from there. I stay in close as I usually paddle alone.
One issue that I think is occurring is that in a North Easter and you are going south from Yaroomba, both the wind and swell are at about a 45 degree angle to you. If you want better runs and more push from the wind you may need to follow FB's advice and get further out to sea. There are guys that do these runs you mention but they head out over 1km to get at the same angle as the wind and waves. If you do this you are able to get the wind and swell behind you and then take a nearly straight run into you destination.
The runs north in a South Easter from Mooloolaba to Mudjimba or Maroochy River mouth are better as the wind is more behind you and parallel with the beach and your direction.
As the other guys say above, I wait for the nose of my board to dip before putting in a few hard strokes to pick up the swell.
Good topic thanks for posting. It is great to get advice from guys like Lacey and DJ as they have a lot of experience.
Enjoy.
ET.
That's really interesting about northerlies versus southerlies on the East Coast. I've only done northerlies, mainly due there using being a much bigger groundswell to deal with during a southerly blow (and the fact it seems to be blowing a northerly just about every day lately). Is there some theory behind southerlies being better?
So much great advice on this topic for all us new at DWing from some of the best around at it DJ LL and DW cheers guys this has helped me massively also!
