Paddling is a fantastic experience. Becoming a paddling expert is even more fun.
But do you know what the most enjoyable part is? Catching a wave on a stand-up paddleboard! Why? Because it makes you feel unstoppable. And today, I have a few tips and tricks that will make you feel like a paddleboarding hero. Keep reading to get started.
Maybe you started paddling because you were sick of small surfing practices. Maybe you dreamt of a better way to stay active, apart from the gym. Maybe you saw it as a deeper way to explore your need for water adventures. Whatever the reasons were, trust me—you made the right decision. Water paddling is full of excitement!
Now, let’s face it: catching a wave isn’t rocket science. Yet, it’s not a hard thing to do. Here are a few things to know when it comes to wave catching:
Know the Direction the Waves Break from
If you want to catch a wave, knowing where it breaks from is the first job you have. Look for signs of whitewater, which will usually indicate where waves are breaking from. Once you know the breaking direction, it’s time to catch it.
Stay Outside of the Wave’s Breaking Point
The most common wave catching technique is to make sure you are seated about 10 feet on the outside of where waves break. When you do this, you give yourself ample time to gain the speed necessary for catching the wave.
Watch out for Waves from a Far Distance
Even if you only visit the beach on occasion, you can probably tell when a wave is coming. This is a good thing to know while paddling. Pursuing a heavy wave requires a lot of speed to avoid slipping and other water accidents. Look for incoming waves from afar and prepare to catch them with ease. If you see it coming, it’s easy to tell how heavy it is and what speed is required to catch it.
Paddle in a Perpendicular Direction
Catching waves is easy when you counter them. If you want to easily catch waves, paddling perpendicularly makes the work easy for you. On the other hand, paddling in a staggering style helps you to keep your balance stability. A wave is always faster moving water which can easily drag you away. Paddle in a staggering motion to retain your balance, and perpendicularly to advance onto the wave.
Bend Your Knees
Bending your knees toward the front of your paddleboard is the style most commonly used for catching waves. The idea is to bend your knees forward from your waist, which shifts your body weight forward. Bring your feet to the surf stance once you catch the wave.
Immediately after you’ve successfully caught your desired wave, the next thing to do is maintain stability. This requires you to keep your feet in the surf stance and allow the weight of the wave to move you along. At the end of the wave, just paddle out from it and kick around until you’ve spotted a new wave!
Always remember to stay safe out there; and not to catch just any wave—catch your wave.
