53 years of paddling, much of it at Ocean Bch SF, has taught me this: except for sprints, keep your fingers slightly loose, otherwise too much tension for the long haul. Don't sweep; dive your hand and forearm down front but stroke an S somewhat beneath your board to shed turbulence and grab new water. Roll slightly along a straight longitudinal axis to lift the elbow and arm and complete the stroke at the halfway vertical point instead of wasting energy doing a long upstroke past the halfway vertical point. If not sprinting, don't outpaddle your breath. Practice "no splash" paddling for efficiency (and less of a shark call). Exhale through your nose only. Use strokes per breath to set a pace, and change that number like they are different "gears". Your head should be up enough to look around but, except for takeoffs, look under your lifting arm pit while tucking your chin if you need to glimpse behind you.

"Waves are the currency of happiness for a surfer". 👍

I just love how you really dive into technical details which makes it possible to "learn online" and implement this learning!! Great Great work man

Watching Kelly Slater power stroke in a wave is pure perfection. 🌊

Thanks! Here are my takeaways: - minimal movement, minimal muscle, avoid compensating with other movements - position the body so the nose is just a couple of cm above the water when you paddle - keep legs together when paddling: knees together, toes pointed - don't twist your spine, chest, shoulders, and head as you paddle - travel stroke: low energy, don't reach too far, hand depth in the water, hand open (fingers not glued together), alternate inhale/exhale with each stroke - power stroke: 3-5 explosive strokes to catch a wave, deeper depth, longer reach, faster tempo, closer to the board - relax all the unused muscles

Thanks fella I eat paddle pops before a surf they help me paddle and pop

I’m land locked and only get to surf on vacations. Thanks for tips and tricks 🤙. Heading to Nicaragua in April.

I've been bodyboarding for 34 years, and I finally decided to learn how to surf. I'll be going to Hawaii again this winter, hope to get this right lol 😅. Thank you so much for the video!

Loving your series on technical improvements. Im just getting more into surfing and am finding myself without guidance. Im watching one or two every time I go out and trying to focus on improving. Well done and thank you 🙏🤙

keeping your chest up makes so much of an insane difference i couldn't believe it, not onyl that but helps you see further and just think it makes you more aware when you're not just lying like you would on the beach!

Thank you so very much for this video introduction for paddling. I'm a 47yr beginner in nor cal.

Good job explaining. Thanks man.

wow easily the best paddle training I have ever seen. Thanks

Great focus on technique! (Boogie boarder here) Two things I was left wanting to integrate more with this lesson: 1- recommended workout for the glide stroke; seems we want to maximize our stamina, and I could be stronger. 2- breathing practice. Your emphasis on breath was a game changer for me (and I practice pranayama). Really appreciate your presentation. You get straight to what we need to know, and emphasize primary points well. Happier surfers = healthier people = better world.

Thank you!

SO HELPFUL!! Thank you ❤

it's extremely helpful

Thank you. Great video 🏄‍♂️

The best surf lesson I’ve ever had 👏🏻

FANTASTIC CONTENT!

Thank You

Great tips mate been surfing on and off for years my paddling is allways my week point. Defo going to try your technique cheers.

Great tips!

Good stuff! I have a tenancy to flex my core abs when paddling which burns me out fast! Going out now and excited to try your tips! 🤙🏽

Thank You so much! i've been struggling a bit while paddling because I felt like really slow in comparison to other surfers I know ans there are so many good tips in this video I'll apply and try to impove!!

Thanks bruh. Cool techniques

Thank you mister 🎉

Great video

This is the best video about surfing!! I beg you to share more please 😢

Thank you

Thank you bro.. just watched this and your wave selection vid and your explanations are so good

Really useful dude! Nice one! 🤙🏼

Thank you very much for this video. answers questions that I had in my head and much more

Where are all the videos of you surfing?

Thanks for showing me proper technique. When I started, my paddling stroke was never corrected. Will definitely focus on this lesson and look forward to longer sessions. 🤙🏻

Like the weak side breathing idea, makes sense.

Great instruction, thanks! Here I thought I was just horribly out of shape or everyone else in the lineup was an Olympic swimmer as they effortlessly glide past me. Really I'm probably just bruning myself out too fast in pretty much every way described and just never considered all these aspects. Liked and subed!

How is that resistance band fixed to the wall? What did you use? Good vid

Where were you for me in the 90s? "You're done." lol _

I keep going down in size so I’ve never allowed myself to become comfortable. That being said I’ve been hooked forever but always knew I would not be satisfied until I could ride the smallest board for my size. This is only because o am craving that skate feel. I need to be way ahead of time to ride even 42 L at 180 lb 5’8” 45 yrs

Thanx! I have recently started surfing and still paddling is exhausting. I will be mindful of good technique, and also devise a plan with stretch bands or something to practise those paddle muscles!! Thanx!

Every winter, I get in the bad habit of grabbing the rails and then need to work my way out of it.

Paddleing the right board for you is going to improve your paddle-ability

3:26 "That's not a good place to be" 😅 I'm quite ok for the first half hour, but then I get more and more tired and struggle keeping the head up...

What are the wall stretch bands called? Can I get them in Australia?

Should you finish your session if you’re find yourself compensating on your paddling

🤙‼️

Boss

Good posture should be aimed but is only possible with some practice and fitness. New surfers don't get back pain because of bad posture, they get pain because they lack the back fitness needed for good posture. With a few weeks of practice it gets better.

🤣😂🤣😂

Paddling is about pulling the water backwards with your hand and forearm, so your hand should be firm and aiming down always, not loose like you show. And if you have enough power in your arms, you should (and all pros do) submerge your forearms also, as they increase pull power.