6 Game-Changing Reasons to Perfect Your SUP Stroke Technique
Posted: 4 January 2025
Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP) is a popular and enjoyable water sport, but like any physical activity, it requires proper technique to ensure safety and efficiency. Here's why having a good paddle stroke technique is crucial for paddling safety:
Fatigue: A proper stroke allows you to glide smoothly through the water with minimal effort. This means you can paddle longer distances without quickly tiring, making your less strenuous, especially if you have some way to return back to base.
Balance & Stability: Using correct technique helps you maintain balance and stability on the board. This reduces the risk of falls and injuries, ensuring that you can paddle confidently and safely.
Injury Prevention: Proper technique minimizes strain on your muscles and joints. This helps prevent overuse injuries, particularly in the shoulders, back, and wrists, allowing you to paddle for longer periods without discomfort.
Control: Mastering a good paddle stroke enhances your control over the board, making it easier to maneuver, stop suddenly when confronted by hazards, and navigate different water conditions safely and effectively.
Speed: Efficient strokes allow you to paddle faster and more effectively, which is crucial when you need to quickly avoid hazards.
Enjoyment: When you paddle correctly, you can enjoy the sport more. You're not constantly struggling with balance, fatigue, or discomfort, allowing you to fully appreciate the experience and have fun on the water.
What Paddle Stroke Level Are You?
ASI has established three distinct skill levels for paddle strokes in enclosed flat water and coastal flat water settings, catering to everyone from new paddlers to those with technically precise techniques.
Basic Level
At this level, you can paddle safely and perform basic SUP skills and techniques with relative ease and a degree of consistency, though not technically correct in many areas. You demonstrate correct position and posture, balanced and confident, with basic paddle control, paddling in a relatively straight line, achieving some power and speed at 30 paddle strokes per minute.
Foundation Level (Moderate Paddler)
Here, you can paddle safely and perform key SUP skills and techniques with ease and a degree of consistency, though may not be technically correct in a few areas. You demonstrate correct position and posture, balanced and confident, with good paddle control, paddling in a straight line, achieving moderate power and speed at 40 paddle strokes per minute. (SUP Instructor minimum level).
Technical Level (Strong Paddler)
At this level, you can paddle safely and perform key SUP skills and techniques with ease, consistency, and technical correctness in all areas. You are a strong paddler, achieving 50 paddle strokes per minute. (SUP Technical Coach minimum level)
Where Can You Develop Your Paddle Stroke?
To improve your paddle stroke and advance through these skill levels, consider enrolling in programs offered by ASI accredited schools or the ASI SUP Wise Intensiv course.
These programs are designed to provide comprehensive training and guidance to help you become a proficient and safe paddler.
By mastering good paddle stroke technique, you'll not only enhance your performance and enjoyment but also ensure your safety and well-being on the water.
Happy paddling!
More Information at:
Find ASI Schools
https://www.academyofsurfing.com/schools/search
ASI SUP Wise programs
https://www.academyofsurfing.com/about-asi-learn-to-sup-programs
ASI SUP Wise Intensiv
https://www.academyofsurfing.com/courses/sup-wise-intensiv-enclosed-flat-water
