Paddle Better, Catch More Waves – Without Burning Out
Most surfers paddle wrong.
Not dramatically wrong – just wrong enough to make everything harder than it needs to be.
You move slower, tire quicker, and miss waves you should have caught.
The good news? Small technique changes go a long way.
Here’s how to fix your paddling so it works with the water – not against it.
1. Start With the Sweet Spot
Every board has a zone where it glides smoothly. Too far forward and your nose dips. Too far back and you drag water like a barge.
Here’s how to find your sweet spot:
– Your nose should float just above the water (~5 cm)
– If you put your chin down, the nose dips
– If you cobra pose, the nose rises
It’s subtle – but once you find it, you’ll feel less resistance and more glide.
2. Stay Centered – Or You’ll Sink
If your board keeps tipping left or right, you’re probably off-center.
Test it: lift both hands out of the water. If one side dips, adjust.
Don’t try to compensate with your legs – they’ll sink, drag, and slow you down.
3. Pull, Don’t Slap
You’re not splashing forward – you’re pulling the water backward.
Good paddling starts with an early vertical forearm:
– Hand enters forward of your shoulder
– Elbow stays high
– Fingers point down
– Arm moves water back, not down
If your elbow drops, you're not pulling – you're just wiggling.
4. Recover Smoothly
After the pull, your arm should exit relaxed and bent.
Lead with the elbow, not the hand — like there’s a string pulling your elbow forward.
This phase doesn’t add speed – it just sets you up to paddle longer, without wrecking your shoulders.
5. Enter Clean
No splashing.
Your hand should pierce the water fingers-first, just outside your shoulder line.
Elbow above wrist. Wrist above fingers. Like a controlled dive.
On wide boards, aim closer to the rail to stay efficient.
How TRAX Helps You Paddle Better – Automatically
Even when you know what good paddling should feel like, it’s hard to know what you’re actually doing.
TRAX tracks your paddle rhythm, stroke path, and board drag, helping you identify:
– Whether you’re stalling from poor form
– How consistent your stroke timing is
– Where you waste energy or build speed
With session feedback and cues, TRAX turns paddling into something you can improve – not just endure.
Related Reading:
→ How to Catch More Unbroken Waves – Better paddling is useless without the right positioning.
→ Fix Your Surf Pop-Up – It’s not just about standing up – it’s about how you get there.
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