Lesson Library
Explore surf lessons, coaching answers, live-session replays, and conversations designed to help you understand what to practice next.
Browse by Fundamental Skill
All Lessons
- Paddling Technique
Matt’s checking in after a recent run of good swell had him gassed from the paddle out. Should he have been out there? How can he improve his paddling fitness?
- 11 mins
- Free, Paddling Technique
Beginners often look at paddling and assume the most important aspect is your shoulder and back strength. While this can be a factor in at certain moments of surfing, it’s hardly the difference maker and it’s the reason why children and dainty little surfer ladies can still be excellent and fast paddlers.
Yes, your stroke is a physical task, but perhaps more so a mental one.
Like the steps you take on the way to a mountain peak, you must be willing to do one more forever.
Endurance, and the ability to hold good form are more important characteristics than strength.
Think of your strokes as the breath of your surfing. You can do it laboriously and controlled by whatever state-of-mind you’re in, or calmly, long, slow and drawn out, with intention on maintaining a consistent and balanced rhythm.
- 1 mins
- Paddling Technique
If surfing fundamentals is the foundation of excellent surfing, then paddling technique is the first brick you lay when you begin to construct this foundation. Do not dismiss this vital and important skill. You should have a strong passion and desire to be the best paddler you can be. Glide, efficiency, speed, power…they can all be cultivated by proudly pursing improvement in your technique no matter how good you get.
For those truly yearning to improve their technique, make sure you’ve listened to KookCast episode 104, “How To: Perfect Your Paddling Technique” to further supplement your training.
- 3 mins
- Free, Paddling Technique
There’s a lot of elements that must work together in order to catch waves with that effortless glide you’ve seen other great surfers display. In this week’s video, I want to talk about just one of those elements…your position on your board as it is compared between myself, and my student.
- 2 mins
- Paddling Technique
The weight stored in the keel of a ship is called “ballast” and it’s what keeps her seaworthy and stable. In surfing, proper position and good form is your ballast while paddling and is what keeps you seaworthy and stable while paddling over waves.
- 2 mins
- Paddling Technique, Podcast
Coach Ev and I really appreciate these kinds of questions because it shows how much David cares about the most basic aspects of his surfing. Of course, you already know…perfecting the most basics skills and nuances of those skills is what ultimately lays the foundation for excellent surfing. Without perfect paddling technique, you’ll struggle to progress in surfing. Thanks for your question, David.
- 9 mins
- Paddling Technique
In this episode, the Coaches stress the importance of board control and illustrate what can go wrong when you don’t hold on to your board. They also discuss how to stay in shape for paddling even when you can’t surf as often, and the value of proper paddling technique.
Check out the Basis Surf Podcast and Basis Paddle Trainer!
Check out the Basis Surf Podcast and Basis Paddle Trainer!
- 65 mins
- Paddling Technique, Podcast
I’m so glad I finally got to speak with Rob for a KookCast episode. He invited me on his podcast, the Dropping In Surf Show, a few years back, but having him on KookCast was a pleasure so I could nerd out with him on paddling technique, among other things.
- 67 mins
- Paddling Technique, Question
Sarah asked about paddling technique and form…specifically, what should she be doing with her legs while she paddles ? This is an important thing to get right, because you’ll see a lot of people, even great surfers do different things with their legs (lift them in the air, peddle kick, etc.) I approach this question from an athletic perspective, and to be the most efficient and high level athlete, you want to have the best technique at the most basic things.
- 5 mins
Recommended Focus
- Live Studio
Coach Ev and Naomi hop into the Live Studio to review some of the clips they acquired together after a recent session.
- 63 mins
