SUP Technique Tip
Keep your eyes on the horizon as you paddle.
Many of us tend to focus on the board (or the Speedcoach) as we paddle, but it’s important to get the head up and look ahead while paddling, and especially while racing and training.
Here are a few reasons why:
Improved Breathing
Try this: On land, bend forward at the waist, look straight down and take a deep breath. Now, without changing body position, lift your head and look forward. Take a deep breath — if you’re like most people, you’ll find it much easier to take a deep breath while looking ahead.
Better Tracking
If you’re looking ahead, it’s easier to ensure the paddle shaft is vertical, which improves your tracking.
Better Navigation
If possible, pick a landmark or buoy and head for it. It sounds simple, but it’s surprising how easy it is for us to drop our head and look at the board and suddenly find we’re pointing off in a direction we never intended going.
Improved Balance
Really. Many of our paddlers find they paddle right through the rough stuff if they just focus on the horizon and paddle right through it. Look down, and things get squirrelly. Look up, you slide right through the rough stuff — try it!
Increased Speed
We haven’t done a formal study on this, but we find our paddlers can pick up considerably more speed when they keep the head up. Just by forgetting about the Speedcoach and looking ahead, we often see a 10% increase in speed, which is pretty significant.
Better Scenery
Seriously, you’ve seen the nose of your board, so quit staring at it. Get your head up and drink in the view. It’s usually pretty epic.
And Finally…Fewer Speedbumps
It’s hard to see what’s in front of you if you’re staring at your feet, or your on-board computer, or the nose of your board. Sadly, we have to admit we’ve run over a number of obstacles because we were focused down instead of ahead. Turtles, trees, debris, small children (don’t ask) and the occasional lizard.
So keep your head up, eyes ahead — it takes practice, just like any other part of your stroke, but it will be worth the effort. Especially if it keeps you from running over a lizard.
