Paddling on a surfboard

Authors
Affiliations

Nate Yomogida, PT, DPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, PT, DPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

Paddling

Here are some resources to help understand paddling:

Lets start with a paddle “stance.” You should try to keep your position as hydrodynamic as possible.

Optimal body position while paddling
Region Optimal Position Why Cueing tip
T/S Extension Better vision & better shoulder position for striking the water
Pelvis Posterior pelvic tilt (PPT) Reduce low back fatigue Drive pubic bone down into the board
Legs Together (not apart) Less drag

Position on the board:

Paddling into waves

Outcome Measures

  • See.
  • Surfing paddling energetics.

Interventions

  • Maximal Strength Training Improves Surfboard Sprint and Endurance Paddling.
  • Reductions in Sprint Paddling Ability and Countermovement Jump Performance After Surfing Training.

Exercises

References

1.
Loveless DJ, Minahan C. Two reliable protocols for assessing maximal-paddling performance in surfboard riders. Journal of Sports Sciences. 2010;28(7):797-803. doi:10.1080/02640411003770220
2.
Furness J, Bertacchini L, Hicklen L, Monaghan D, Canetti E, Climstein M. A Comparison of Two Commercial Swim Bench Ergometers in Determining Maximal Aerobic Power and Correlation to a Paddle Test in a Recreational Surfing Cohort. Sports (Basel, Switzerland). 2019;7(11):234. doi:10.3390/sports7110234
3.
Borgonovo-Santos M, Zacca R, Fernandes RJ, Vilas-Boas JP. The impact of a single surfing paddling cycle on fatigue and energy cost. Scientific Reports. 2021;11(1):4566. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-83900-y
4.
Coyne JOC, Tran TT, Secomb JL, et al. Maximal Strength Training Improves Surfboard Sprint and Endurance Paddling Performance in Competitive and Recreational Surfers. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 2017;31(1):244-253. doi:10.1519/JSC.0000000000001483
5.
Secomb JL, Sheppard JM, Dascombe BJ. Reductions in Sprint Paddling Ability and Countermovement Jump Performance After Surfing Training. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 2015;29(7):1937-1942. doi:10.1519/JSC.0000000000000843

Citation

For attribution, please cite this work as: