This video responds to the frequently asked question: Does kicking actually help you catch waves? While no study has yet confirmed its benefit in wave catching, the video analyzes a scientific study and provides anecdotal evidence showing kicking provides a significant speed advantage in flat water scenarios.
Key Takeaways & Tips
Kicking Boosts Flatwater Speed
A 2010 study proved that paddling peak speed with kicking exceeded peak speed without kicking by about 8% over a 5 to 10-second paddling bout. This is a huge advantage, equivalent to between 0.8 and 1.6 meters over a short burst.
Use for Short Bursts
Kicking is proven to help when you are attempting to increase your speed in a paddle battle, to reposition yourself, or in any instance where you need an increase in speed over a short period of time.
Pro Surfer Anecdotes
The contest footage shows several instances where pro surfers were witnessed using kicking while paddling during elimination rounds and quarter-finals to increase their speed.
The Catching Question
While kicking is proven in flat water, the conclusion cannot yet be applied to wave catching. The angle of attack of the surfboard and additional hydrodynamic variables change the experiment, but anecdotally, most surfers feel it does help.
Mechanics of Kicking
The angle of attack of the bottom of the surfboard at various stages of catching a wave is an element that needs to be investigated in relation to kicking.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Assuming No Benefit
Assuming that kicking does not help is incorrect. It provides an 8% speed advantage in flat water, which is a significant difference.
Ignoring Speed in Battle
In a paddle battle situation, failing to use kicking means you are sacrificing a significant speed advantage (up to 8%) to your competitor.