Josh Kerr teaches the essentials of paddling in to catch a wave with ease. The lesson emphasizes utilizing your paddle power at the exact right moment to accelerate into the wave, and adapting your board’s angle to match the curve of the wave face.
Key Takeaways & Tips
Acceleration Timing
Paddling in is like an airplane taking off; you want to be moving from a slow speed to a fast speed. You must accelerate into the wave right as you are getting picked up by the wave. This ensures you make the wave quickly.
The Two Key Paddles
Every wave has two really important paddles that will help you get into that wave quickly. These are the last two powerful strokes you take as the wave begins to lift your board.
Board Angle
Do not keep your board straight. You must make sure your board is matching the curve of the wave face as it’s going down. This helps you accelerate and gain speed sooner.
Chest and Board Match
As the wave lifts you, press your chest down to make sure your board matches the wave face. This is necessary to avoid pushing water and to maintain the correct angle.
Avoiding the Stall
A common mistake is trying to lift the nose up because you fear a nose dive. You should point the nose down to get into the wave sooner. Lifting the nose will stall you at the top of the wave and risk going over the falls.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Paddling Too Fast Too Early
Paddling too fast too early is a common mistake. If you max out your paddle speed before the wave comes, you decelerate, which makes you get sucked up the face, onto the lip, and over the falls.
Board Straight
If you keep your board straight as the wave is picking you up, you will lose acceleration. The board must match the curve of the wave.
Kicking Too Soon
Kicking and scratching too early (before the wave gets to you) maximizes your paddle speed too soon, leading to deceleration when you need the speed most.
Pushing Water
If you point the nose up as the wave is picking you up, you will push water, which slows you down and lifts you higher up the wave face.