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surf academy

How to Catch a Wave – the double paddle finish

Tyson Greenaway

When it comes to catching waves and explaining the technique clearly then we have to tip our hats to Rob Case. Here he provides an excellent tutorial using Nat Young in a World Surfing League heat as an example.

This is well worth 10 minutes of your time. He breaks the technique down clearly as well as providing some excellent pointers on how to improve your paddling technique, speed and power.

These surfboard paddling techniques should form part of any surfer’s arsenal and can be easily applied to your surfing whether you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced surfer.

[themedy_media type=”youtube” url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iynJTbudlI”]

Pretty good huh?

I just have one little tip that you could add to those that you’ve already seen and that’s the ‘double paddle‘. You can see Nat Young starts paddling in the wave using the standard front crawl – one arm then the other arm, then the first arm and so on.

As he reaches his top speed he switches into a double arm paddle – more like the ‘butterfly’ in swimming terms – both arms at the same time.

There are a couple of reasons for this. The front crawl alternate arm technique is great for quick acceleration and getting your surfboard up to maximum speed.

It’s drawback is that it’s not particularly stable. Think of all those forces being created as you fling your arms forward in alternate strokes.

The double arm paddle is great for those last few strokes as it’s more stable, super powerful (both arms at once so double the power) and great for maintaining that momentum that you have worked so hard for.

It also has another benefit in that as you withdraw your arms from the water at the back end of the stroke they are both in line and ready to be put on the surfboard deck for you to pop up.

You won’t need to use this double paddle technique for every wave that you attempt to catch but if you find yourself paddling for waves and not quite able to ‘get over the ledge’ then it will definitely help.

 
So why don’t you double paddle all the time?

I’m glad you asked.

Because you are fitting two strokes in the place of one it’s tiring and while it’s a great technique for maintaining momentum it’s not so efficient for gaining speed in the first place.

Try this technique next time you go surfing  and let us know how you get on in the comments box below.

May Bank Holiday & Half Term Opening Times

Tyson Greenaway

Spring is nearly behind us and we are surely heading into another, ahem, Barbeque summer at the surf school. Just writing it has almost certainly put a jinx on it but ho, we are tremendously happy here whatever the weather.

The surf has been cracking for the last couple of weeks so lets hope this good run will continue. Not that we have been surfing anywhere near as much as usual – our time has been spent fruitfully getting the surf school ready for a manic period of surfing lessons in Gwithian during the Bank Holidays and Half Term holidays. A lick of paint here, new doors there and a new tarmac drive. The surf school is looking good and, thankfully, ready for Half Term.

The surf school will be open every day from 10am to 6pm for surfing lessons, surf hire and SUP lessons. Even if you just need a bar of wax or just want to pop in for a chat then come on over. We might even put the kettle on.

 

We’re Open!

Tyson Greenaway

There have been a lot of paint brushes and rollers slain this week but we are delighted to announce that we are open once more and ready for what promises to be our most exciting season yet.
Surf Academy Manager Ian (Gab to you and I) has been working his fingers to the bone this week so that when we throw open the doors tomorrow we will prepared for anything.
So what’s new this year? [Read more…] about We’re Open!


Get In Touch:

Gwithian Academy of Surfing,
1, Godrevy Towans,
Gwithian,
Hayle,
Cornwall.
TR27 5ED.
Tel: 01736 757579

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Gwithian Academy of Surfing

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