Is the Secret to the Paddle Stroke Catch Hiding Just Within Reach?

Lets start with a quick review of some important universal stroke pointers.

1.) We are trying to drive down (“setting” or “catching”) our paddle blade face at the correct angle with nothing more or less!

2.) Your blade should enter the water quietly and with precision, minimizing splash and feedback from the water (think Olympic divers). Hold off on starting the power (or pulling) phase until fully submerged.

3.) The goal is to pull our board past the paddle, not pulling our paddle through the water.

Now if you’re looking to get your catch dialed in, please experiment to find what works best for you, but take heed of these important tips:

1.) Shorten your reach to a more appropriate length that is less stretched out. The further you stretch past your peak load point, the more power you ultimately lose.

An example of a reach that may lead to power “leakage”. Instead, try keeping the shoulder packed and tight and bending at the waist with a powerful hip-hinge if you feel like you need to reach a little further.

2.) If your reach is more concise, your initiation and entry or “catch” of the paddle blade will require much less thought and effort.

3.) By using the correct length reach, your athletic stance along with power and balance will increase tremendously.

4.) Spend time learning and focusing on the proper water entry angle.

Get playful and open your senses and have a blast experimenting and learning while paddle boarding.