What NOT to Do When Learning how to Paddle Board – Part 2

We posted about the most common mistakes that people make on their first trip out in the water when paddle boarding, here is more on that front.

Holding the Paddle Wrong
How many positions could their possibly be? It is just a straight paddle isn’t it; obviously the only thing to take care of is that the blade side dips in the water. Right? Wrong! Holding the paddle just right gets you tons of favors with your performance at paddle boarding. Forget the forward stroke; you want to take care of the way you hold the paddle first. The paddle should cross over your body, when you switch sides, you should switch hand positions too. Both your hands must be positioned a bit wider than the width of your shoulders. When the paddle dips into the water, the side of the blade that you are facing matters as well. The tip of the blade should face outward. Plus remember that paddling across your feet is useless.

Believing that Only Dead Fish go with the Flow
It is not good for your balance if you keep your body stiff. Maintaining your balance is the key to it all. For paddlers the most common problem is always that they try to combat the way the water is rolling. When you stand all stiff, you stand a better chance of falling in the water. So relax and improve your technique while paddling with ease. The ocean won’t stop moving the board under you, so why go against it?
Your balance comes from the core. This is what lets your leg absorb the rocking of the board. It is a lot like the tiny bumps you feel when you are riding a bike. Also don’t forget to move, be super comfortable in wiggling your toes so as to have a better control over your balance.

Believing That It Is All in the Limbs
Make sure that you use your core and not your arms. People are taught in paddle board tours to pull and push through the ordeal which is a mistake. This is one technique that yields power from your arms instead of your core. Focus on your hips, chest, and your back. This is a full body exercise, where your hands stabilize your stroke instead of the stroke of your power. When you bring the paddle to position, you have to bend your knees so that you can paddle down right. When you don’t pull, your torso twists with every stroke, and when you reach the end of each twist, remember to straighten your legs and then take the paddle up out of the water.