Paddling and Laying on Your Surfboard

Getting on your Surfboard

When getting into the water, walk out through the waves crumbling into the shoreline as far as possible. Mount your surfboard from the side and then swing your legs up onto the board.

Center yourself on the board, keep your legs straight behind you (hanging your feet over the sides in the beginning helps you to stay stable), back arched with your chest slightly off the deck, with the board nose just above the water surface.

If you are having trouble staying stable on the board, put your hands out to the side in the water and slowly move them back and forward.

Most people starting out forget to arch their back, causing them to lay too far back on the board. You can always tell who is the beginner from this.... arching your back helps you lay further up the surfboard and stops your legs from dragging in the water and slowing you down.

Laying to far back on the surfboard

Your feet should be around the tail of the board, don't lay too far back on the board as the nose will lift high out of the water, pushing the tail of the surfboard under and slowing the surfboard down.

Also don't lay too far up as the nose of the board will go under the water usually causing you to nose dive (pearl) and fall off while paddling... does not look cool...

Paddling your Surfboard

Your paddle stroke should be essentially like a crawl swimming stroke. Keep your fingers relaxed and spread and use deep strokes. Get a feel for paddling around on the surfboard and the balance of it.

When you first start out you will get some chest discomfort after surfing, especially around the bottom rib bones. The next time you go surfing it can be quite painful. This is normal and after a few times out in the water you won't experience this anymore.

The other thing that you will get is a rash on your chest and nipples, this can be painful too!! This is also normal and will also go away after a few surfs. It is also the reason why a rash guard is called a rash guard/vest.

Paddling Tip
Once you get better at paddling, you can try the 'S' stroke this is not much different except that you curve your stroke so that your hands go under the surfboard. The S stroke helps the water move faster under the board giving you more power and speed.