Are your knees together when you paddle?

[XiloRider]

Everything I've read says to keep your legs together when you paddle.

I find that spreading knees out a bit gives a "tripod" effect, adding stability. Do you guys keep your knees together? Just wondering....

[BaNZ]

I think as long as you don't drag any part of your legs across the water then it is fine. When my legs are not together, I tend to drag them and it causes me to slowdown.

[oldmansurfer]

Probably not a good habit to have. You will learn to paddle more stably with practice and not need to spread your legs for balance then it will be just a bad habit

[waikikikichan]

Everything I've read says to keep your legs together when you paddle.

Is the "everything" you read, pertaining to both shortboards and longboards ?

[XiloRider]

Everything I've read says to keep your legs together when you paddle.

Is the "everything" you read, pertaining to both shortboards and longboards ?

I don't remember any distinction being made. Videos, forums, articles...seems like "keep your legs together" is the mantra.

[Oldie]

I am very guilty of doing this. When I become aware of it, I try to enforce the feeling by crossing my feet while paddling for position or paddling out. It is one of the things that makes my paddling very inefficient. I think you need more core strength as it is more active balancing than just using your feet as counterweights.

[IB_Surfer]

Keep feet together, if not your toes will drag. Very common beginner mistake