I cant paddle fast enough to catch waves.....?

Question

i can paddle fast enough but my arms get tired really quickly so i cant keep the momentum going to catch a wave, even on a longboard!! i dont know if i can get any stronger coz im pretty thin and i drop any weight i build up just by climbing the stairs. can anyone help?

Answer 1

hmm i use to have this problem too. i just practiced and practiced... during lulls my friend and i would just paddle around like to a certain buoy or up to the pier. also it wouldn't hurt to jump into a pool and swim a couple of laps to help get the motion of paddling (like freestyle/front crawl when swimming). and as other people said it really helps to arch your back, it really does help. anyways just keep practicing and going at it and eventually you'll get it. good luck :)

Answer 2

work out

Answer 3

Your lack of paddle power may be more related to poor positioning on your board than any lack of ability on your part.  Try moving around a little bit and see where you seem to be paddling the most efficiently.  It could also be related to a poor board shape.  I have had some boards that just sucked to paddle due to bad rocker.  

If its not your board and its not your position the only thing left to do is paddle, paddle, paddle.  You use muscles for surfing that you do not use much otherwise so it takes some time to build them up.

Answer 4

You didn't tell us how old you are. Your profile says you are in fifth year. I'm not sure what that means, but I'm going to guess you are fifteen or sixteen?

If that's the case, you have lots of growing to do, and m,muscle mass to gain, but someone at 15 or 16 should have the stamina to paddle a surfboard. I suspect that you just aren't in real good shape. That can be fixed, by lots of exercise, good nutrition and spend lots of time in the water, practicing and building up your strength and endurance. I am 55, and Dr.s have told me to forget about ever getting any stronger, all I can do is Maintain what muscle mass I have now. But young folks like you can train hard an transform into a "lean, mean, surfin' machine'.

Just as another thought. I started surfing when I was 13 or 14. I was already an accomplished ocean swimmer before I ever started. maybe you need to just work on your ocean swimming skills and stamina first. good luck, and don't quit.

Answer 5

First you need to try arching your lower back a little more and you have to be constantly paddling, regardless if you're attempting to catch a wave or not...and don't paddle faster but harder.  This will help with several things such as building the strength in your strokes, building muscle memory, and strengthening your endurance.  Good Luck!

Answer 6

You absolutely can get stronger and have more muscle mass. In order to gain muscle you have to eat 1.5 grams of protein for each pound that you weigh. You WILL gain mass. Just go onto any muscle and fitness site and you'll see.

   As for paddling, it's all in your triceps and back. You have to build these muscles. Keep in mind you shouldn't be frustrated because these muscles aren't the ones that you use on a day to day basis; so their going to naturally be the weeker parts of your body.

   The best way to build muscles for paddling is obviously to paddle more, but there are two excercises that you can do out of the water that will help. Do close grip push ups (the closer your hands are together, the more it will focus the workout on your triceps). Also, you should do these pushup on your knee's. That will let you do more before you get burned out. Sure that sounds sissy, but your trying to build endurance not bulk.

   The next excercise you should do is to lay flat on your stomache with you arms and legs stretched out like you flying. Then lift your right arm and left leg to the sky while keeping them as stiff as possible (then switch to left arm and right leg).

   Many people get frustrated with surfing for the same problems that you are having. If I could only express in words how amazing it is going to feel when you can paddle into a wave and pop up with out a moments hesitation: You would understand why these excercises and eating more protein will totally be worth it.

Answer 7

this may sound weird but sometimes when its flat and im bored ill jump in my pool and tie my leash to a stair pole  and paddle away till my arm feel like their going to fall off.

or you could just go to the gym but the actual paddling motion will help the most

Answer 8

Just get out in the water and put your time in.  Be constantly paddling, not just when you are going to catch a wave, and you will not only build strength but also muscle memory.  Your body is just not used to doing that repetitive motion and it is tiring you.  On flat days, sometimes I will bust out my shortboard (more resistance), and just go paddle against the current to get some exercise and just get out in the water.  Also, try arching your lower back a little more and contracting your abs to get your shoulders farther out of the water where they can generate more power.  Surfing requires a lot of core strength, not only while riding a wave but also when your are paddling.

Answer 9

a couple quick things, first of all I always give a couple kicks with my legs into the face of the wave right before dropping in while paddling, the quick little burst from your legs can do a lot for you, don't know if you were doing that or not.  Next, try sitting and paddling farther towards the nose of your board so your weight helps you drop in.  The more you paddle the better you will get at it and the more endurance you'll build up, just like anything else.  And don't lose sight of the fact that wave and board size do play a big role in a wave's ridability, I don't think anybody's gonna claim a shin high wave is easy to catch!

Answer 10

Maybe try paddling longer and not necessarily faster. The minute you see the wave coming start paddling. Also, positioning is everything. I have a label on my board and I know the sweet spot is when my chest is right on that label. Also, maybe arch your back more so you can get into the wave. Good Luck!