You can (and should) definitely practice buoys in open water, but you also need to practice getting around an actual buoy. It’s difficult to work on position and precision without a buoy in place, and you probably don’t want to see an actual buoy for the first time in a race, right?
Our favorite practice buoys are recycled Hoppity Hops (new ones are only $15USD at hoppityhop.com), but we also use 1 gallon milk jugs (glued shut and painted yellow).
We DON’T recommend using hard fixed objects, like old pilings or poles, as practice buoys. But whatever you use, be sure to get out and practice those turns!
SUP The Step Back Turn from Sam Ross on Vimeo.
