The Carbon Fiber Stand Up Paddle Instructions

The burgeoning sport of paddle surfing, also known as paddle boarding, combines elements of surfing and kayak paddling. The hybrid sport allows for mellow paddles out of the breakers or paddling into raging swells and surf. The paddle you use plays a direct role in your success or failure at the new sport. Take the time to use a lightweight carbon fiber paddle in the proper way.

Instructions

• 1

  Assemble the carbon fiber paddle by placing the two pieces together at the middle connecting point. Push the two pieces together and listen for a click indicating the paddle's lock mechanism has taken hold.

   

  2

  Hold the paddle next to your body and look up. An ideal fitting paddle should be six to eight inches taller than you. Look down and notice the elbow bend where the paddle blade meets the shaft.

  
  

   

  3

  Launch your paddle board into the surf off the beach. Stand up and put the bend of the elbow at the front of the paddle so the elbow's obtuse angle is facing the front of the paddle board. Place the paddle blade three quarters of its length into the water toward the front of the board and propel yourself through the water. Your arms should be reaching just slightly in front of your torso and your body should have a slight twist at the waist.

  
  

   

  4

  Keep the board going in a straight line at first. Practice paddling on either side, keeping the elbow facing front, to keep the board moving forward in a straight line. As you first paddle on one side, the board will have a tendency to move to that side. Paddle a stroke on the opposite side to straighten the boards trajectory. Over time you will develop a feel for keeping the board straight with subtle paddle strokes.

  
  

   

  5

  Begin to turn the paddle blade 5 to 15 degrees off the blade behind the board. The angle should be against the board, meaning angle the paddle blade at the back of the board like a sailboat rudder is perpendicular to the hull of the boat. The greater the angle, the sharper the turn will be to the board. Use the paddle/rudder to steer the board in the direction you wish to go.

  
  

   

  6

  Catch a wave and begin to surf. Use the paddle blade like a rudder on the wave. As you begin to descend off the wave, keep the paddle blade at the back of the board and in the water. Turn the blade between 5 to 15 degrees to correct the board as it gets pushed by the wave. Try and keep the board moving across the wave at an angle of 45 degrees to its crest.