Stick or twist?

[Dantastic1985]

Hiya dudes,

Im after a bit / a lot of advice please regarding a traction pad on my board and boards in general.

Ive got a 7ft 3 mini mal which I picked up cheap. I would class myself as a half decent beginner (can catch green waves, trim occaisonally and can stand up easily on the white water) but I struggle to duck dive my board. I was under the impression that a traction pad would help as it would have the kicker bit on the back to push my back foot off when trying to sink the beast.

Alternatively I have been toying with the idea of going to a smaller but good volume size fish for easier duck diving, or the other way and getting a 7ft 6-8" mal again to try and improve my surfing and just deal with the fact that it aint gonna duck dive.

So basically I am asking if you think a traction pad would help with duck diving my current board and as far as a new board goes would I be better to hone myself on the current mal and go for a fat fish or get a bigger board to hopefully advance quicker?

Any advice much appreciated.

Dan

[kitesurfer]

WHe you try to duck dive your current board if your foot is slipping off the tail then possibly yes a traction pad might help. However ducking diving bigger boards is tricky. I'd like to say i can do it but realistically, i suck. However surfing well is more important than good duck diving so i would get a little more confident with 7ft3, carry on trying to duck dive and finally when the frustration of struggling to get out when you think you could riding those bigger waves gets too much. Then go for a smaller board and you will suddenly find that duck diving is easy! ish.

KS

[themathteacher]

I never used a pad on any of my longer boards

[Dantastic1985]

Cheers Chaps,

After a long weekend in Rhossilli I think ill not bother with the deck grip. It can just about duck dive but my real issues are poor paddling stamina, not getting in the sea often enough and only being able to surf 2-3 ft waves. More gym/pool time I think.

Thanks

Dan

[jaffa1949]

Cheers Chaps,

my real issues are 1. poor paddling stamina, 2not getting in the sea often enough and 3only being able to surf 2-3 ft waves. 4 More gym/pool time I think.

Thanks

Dan

To fix 1 change 2 to more which will probably fix 3 as well. Use 4 sparingly and only if 2 is not available as 2 would be better.
Another thing to fix 1 is to paddle on lakes dams and streams and even a pool if you tie you leash to something on the side of the pool, PS don't try this at your local municipal pool!

[Dantastic1985]

Thats a good reply jaffa. Id not thought of getting in the local lakes, theres a few near me that are only about 4ft deep. Would you suggest a circuit style? Med paced long distance then fast sprint? .

[jaffa1949]

Circuit interval type paddle training is a good way to go. This is because surf paddling has all speeds .
Make sure your paddle stroke enters the water right next to your board and pulls the way back along the board not with any action out to the side, check that your position on the board allows you to get maximum glide.
A question or two;
Are you still riding that 7' 3" minimal you had when you first started posting?
Did you fix the cracks and stuff adequately?
I have some thoughts about that too!

[dtc]

I recently read an article about one of the junior pros whose training circuit was something like:

- 2 minutes paddle at 50%
- 30 seconds at 75%
- 15 seconds at 100%
- hop off the board and stay underwater to a count of 10 (I suspect 5 or less is the limit for us mortals at the end of this paddling circuit)
- get back on board. Rest 60 seconds and repeat until exhausted (actually, I think it was repeat 5 times - which is only about 20 min total - but 5 times will be exhausting)

You will probably find, if you are anything like me, that even 15 seconds at 100% is pretty tough. So adjust as appropriate - as with everything exercise related, what a pro does/can do may not be suitable for a non pro. That said, the exercise is somewhat self regulating, in that your 100% will be less intensive.

[Dantastic1985]

Circuit interval type paddle training is a good way to go. This is because surf paddling has all speeds .
Make sure your paddle stroke enters the water right next to your board and pulls the way back along the board not with any action out to the side, check that your position on the board allows you to get maximum glide.
A question or two;
Are you still riding that 7' 3" minimal you had when you first started posting?
Did you fix the cracks and stuff adequately?
I have some thoughts about that too!

Cool, thats what i had in mind. i think there is definitely room for improvement on my technique as well as my stamina.

Still on the same board. The cracks and dings etc are all fixed to a really poor standard! Seriously though I have done what I think is a reasonable job. The boards de laminting a bit above the fins but its not that bad. Makes a slight cracking noise when waxing hard.

Id love to hear your thoughts. What makes you ask?

[Dantastic1985]

I recently read an article about one of the junior pros whose training circuit was something like:

- 2 minutes paddle at 50%
- 30 seconds at 75%
- 15 seconds at 100%
- hop off the board and stay underwater to a count of 10 (I suspect 5 or less is the limit for us mortals at the end of this paddling circuit)
- get back on board. Rest 60 seconds and repeat until exhausted (actually, I think it was repeat 5 times - which is only about 20 min total - but 5 times will be exhausting)

You will probably find, if you are anything like me, that even 15 seconds at 100% is pretty tough. So adjust as appropriate - as with everything exercise related, what a pro does/can do may not be suitable for a non pro. That said, the exercise is somewhat self regulating, in that your 100% will be less intensive.

That sounds quite good. Its the sort of thing that will stand you in good stead if you get it all wrong and get rolled over the top of a good sized wave after you have paddled your little arms off and are breathing out of your ears!