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downwind [2025/02/06 13:29] preavley |
downwind [2026/03/09 18:28] (current) pstureavley |
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| * When getting up to speed or regaining speed your best chance to catch a wave is paddling **perpendicular to the wave line**, perfectly parallel with the wave direction. | * When getting up to speed or regaining speed your best chance to catch a wave is paddling **perpendicular to the wave line**, perfectly parallel with the wave direction. | ||
| * There can be a moment when maximum power is applied to catch a wave when your boat may seem less stable. ([[https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-life-downwind-paddling-very-similar-dawid-mocke|Dawid Mocke on the zone of uncertainty]]) You have to get used to that. Incrementally increase the size of waves and conditions you practice in. Try to maximize opportunities when the water and weather are warmer when you don't mind (as much) getting wet. If you keep backing off to brace you won't be catching nearly as many waves. So you want to **build confidence** in being able to **continue applying power** until you are definitely on the wave and can then brace and/or steer a diagonal without losing the wave. | * There can be a moment when maximum power is applied to catch a wave when your boat may seem less stable. ([[https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-life-downwind-paddling-very-similar-dawid-mocke|Dawid Mocke on the zone of uncertainty]]) You have to get used to that. Incrementally increase the size of waves and conditions you practice in. Try to maximize opportunities when the water and weather are warmer when you don't mind (as much) getting wet. If you keep backing off to brace you won't be catching nearly as many waves. So you want to **build confidence** in being able to **continue applying power** until you are definitely on the wave and can then brace and/or steer a diagonal without losing the wave. | ||
| - | * You can also **catch a wave** a little **sooner** if you **lean forward** - moving your center of gravity a little forward | + | * Sometimes you can also **catch a wave** a little **sooner** or hang on to a wave longer if you **lean forward** - moving your center of gravity a little forward |
| * **Paddling Diagonally Across Waves** | * **Paddling Diagonally Across Waves** | ||
| * Once you have caught a wave you may **not** want to continue **paddling parallel with the wave** direction. | * Once you have caught a wave you may **not** want to continue **paddling parallel with the wave** direction. | ||
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| * If the backside of the wave in front of you is too steep/large to push through or jump over then **don't go straight down your wave face**; surf down at an angle. You can avoid diving into the wave back in front, while keeping your speed staying on your current wave. | * If the backside of the wave in front of you is too steep/large to push through or jump over then **don't go straight down your wave face**; surf down at an angle. You can avoid diving into the wave back in front, while keeping your speed staying on your current wave. | ||
| * One trick to paddling at angles and changing angles while surfing on waves is to not turn too far and [[:terminology#broach|broach]]. | * One trick to paddling at angles and changing angles while surfing on waves is to not turn too far and [[:terminology#broach|broach]]. | ||
| - | * In big waves you may not want or be able to angle sideways. If you are going to hit the wave in front of you, you can lessen your dive and loss of speed by leaning back | + | * In big waves you may not want or be able to angle sideways. If you are going to hit the wave in front of you, you can lessen the force of your nose plant and loss of speed by leaning back. You can also brace a little harder and/or drag a hand in the water to shed speed and sometimes avoid over running the wave you want to stay on. |
| * **Gateways** | * **Gateways** | ||
| * **changing direction -** the **intersections of waves** traveling at different angles **can provide easier "gateways"** for passage over waves. Look for these intersections to sometimes guide your angle on the waves you are angling across. These gateways are opportunities to switch to the other waves you are intersecting with and/or to jump ahead to the next wave in the direction you are currently following. | * **changing direction -** the **intersections of waves** traveling at different angles **can provide easier "gateways"** for passage over waves. Look for these intersections to sometimes guide your angle on the waves you are angling across. These gateways are opportunities to switch to the other waves you are intersecting with and/or to jump ahead to the next wave in the direction you are currently following. | ||
| - | * **maintaining speed - **instead of losing speed because all you seem to have in front of you is the backside of waves either too large to climb, you are too tired to climb, or maybe most importantly - you want to minimize exhausting your energy supply on, look for gaps between waves or the lower outside edges or shoulders of waves. These gaps may not pull you along like the sweet pockets behind nice waves, but they can allow you to keep your speed up and give you time to spot and hop onto more waves to ride. | + | * **maintaining speed - **instead of losing speed because all you seem to have in front of you is the backside of waves either too large to climb, you are too tired to climb, or maybe most importantly - you want to minimize exhausting your energy supply on, look for gaps between waves or the lower outside edges or shoulders of waves. These gaps may not pull you along like the sweet pockets behind nice waves, but they can allow you to more easily keep your speed up and give you time to spot and hop onto more waves to ride. |
| * **Missing Waves** | * **Missing Waves** | ||
| * **Don't waste your energy** paddling up the back of a wave. If you miss a wave, let it pass underneath you and jump on the next. | * **Don't waste your energy** paddling up the back of a wave. If you miss a wave, let it pass underneath you and jump on the next. | ||
| * Repeatedly missing waves and sliding down their backsides is called "[[:terminology#wallowing|wallowing]]". | * Repeatedly missing waves and sliding down their backsides is called "[[:terminology#wallowing|wallowing]]". | ||
| * You are going to miss waves but if you miss one there is always going to be the next one. If your boat filled with water or you lost too much speed it may take a number of waves before you recover enough speed to get back in sync with the waves | * You are going to miss waves but if you miss one there is always going to be the next one. If your boat filled with water or you lost too much speed it may take a number of waves before you recover enough speed to get back in sync with the waves | ||
| + | * [[https://tcsurfski.com/2018/08/10/chasing-the-right-waves-for-you/|Chasing the Right Waves For You]] TCSurfski | ||
| * **Bracing While Surfing** | * **Bracing While Surfing** | ||
| - | * Boyan Z., in Tarifa, teaches students while surfing to **brace on the side you are angling toward**. Regardless of any steering effect, when you are on the front of a wave the side you are angling toward allows a brace on your wave somewhat higher than your boat level requiring little or no lean. | + | * Boyan Z., in Tarifa, teaches students while surfing to **brace on the side you are angling toward**. Regardless of any steering effect, when you are on the front of a wave the side you are angling toward allows a brace on your wave somewhat higher than your boat level requiring little or no lean. Most of the time what you want is very light contact with complete relaxation and little application of force so that you do not lose any speed but you still can instantly respond to any upsetting force if needed. |
| - | * But keep in mind, the harder you have to brace the more you will slow down. You CAN increase your turning capacity with your paddle via a brace or rudder stroke, but you have to BALANCE what you gain from extra turning/steering ability against the accompanying loss of speed which will lead to less control and more difficulty staying on or catching waves. | + | * Keep in mind - the harder you have to brace the more you will slow down. You CAN increase your turning capacity with your paddle via a brace or rudder stroke, but you have to BALANCE what you gain from extra turning/steering ability against the accompanying loss of speed which will lead to less control and more difficulty staying on or catching waves. |
| * **Steering** | * **Steering** | ||
| * //"Initiate your turns by tilting your ski, like a surfer uses her board to carve. Minimize the use of your rudder."// | * //"Initiate your turns by tilting your ski, like a surfer uses her board to carve. Minimize the use of your rudder."// | ||
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| * … | * … | ||
| - | ==== Paddling Upwind and Turning ==== | + | ==== Paddling Upwind ==== |
| <WRAP indent> | <WRAP indent> | ||
| - | If the wave coming towards you is going to break significantly as you go into it, you probably want to be stroking with a blade in the water applying power as the wave hits you. Beyond providing greater stability and reducing the amount you stall, this is also better than holding your paddle horizontal trying to keep it above the wave. If you have your paddle horizontal and the wave still catches your paddle you stand a pretty good chance of getting smacked by your paddle. | + | Upwind - If the wave coming towards you is going to break significantly as you go into it, you probably want to be stroking with a blade in the water applying power as the wave hits you. Beyond providing greater stability and reducing the amount you stall, this is also better than holding your paddle horizontal trying to keep it above the wave. If you have your paddle horizontal and the wave still catches your paddle you stand a pretty good chance of getting smacked by your paddle. |
| When paddling steadily upwind, experiment with your cadence. Slowing your stroke down somewhat may allow you to more easily adjust with a faster or slower stroke to time with the waves and insure a solid catch. Try to resist any inclination to brace as much as possible and just rely on the support you get from a solid catch. Also try to sense both of your heels and the pressure you should be feeling from each heel from each stroke on the same side as the pressing heel. Make sure you are not getting stuck with pressure on one heel/side (particularly when turning) which can also lock in a tilt to your ski to one side. Practice maintaining all of this feel and synchronized leg thrust as you make turns going from upwind to downwind and vice versa. | When paddling steadily upwind, experiment with your cadence. Slowing your stroke down somewhat may allow you to more easily adjust with a faster or slower stroke to time with the waves and insure a solid catch. Try to resist any inclination to brace as much as possible and just rely on the support you get from a solid catch. Also try to sense both of your heels and the pressure you should be feeling from each heel from each stroke on the same side as the pressing heel. Make sure you are not getting stuck with pressure on one heel/side (particularly when turning) which can also lock in a tilt to your ski to one side. Practice maintaining all of this feel and synchronized leg thrust as you make turns going from upwind to downwind and vice versa. | ||
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| * **Discussion** | * **Discussion** | ||
| * [[:paddle_placement_upwind_waves_9_5_2020|When to Paddle Going Upwind In Steep Waves 9/05/2020]] | * [[:paddle_placement_upwind_waves_9_5_2020|When to Paddle Going Upwind In Steep Waves 9/05/2020]] | ||
| - | * **Learning How to Turn Around in Rough Water** | + | |
| - | * [[:turning_around|Surfski Kayak (facebook) 10/2/2022]] | + | </WRAP> |
| + | |||
| + | ==== Learning How to Turn Around in Rough Water ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * **Turning to Go With the Wind** | ||
| + | * [[:turning_around|Surfski Kayak (facebook) 10/2/2022]] | ||
| + | * (If you don't want to practice anymore and/or are freaked out but have to make the turn to get going downwind or headed home, put your legs in the water and get turned. One leg on your downwind side will get your turned faster, but if you need more stability put both legs out) | ||
| + | * **Turning to Go Upwind****** | ||
| + | * Can be difficult or impossible in high wind solely using your rudder | ||
| + | * [[https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLULllRpJF0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MXBhY3pwcnNqN3Zoaw==|Instagram Video]] shows technique for turning when you have no rudder, but this technique suggests a way to make a turn upwind possible when trying to use your rudder alone is inadequate. Put your leg on your upwind side in the water to serve as additional rudder. | ||
| * … | * … | ||
| - | </WRAP></WRAP> | + | </WRAP> |
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| ---- | ---- | ||
| - | Downwinding in a double is one way to get experience on bigger runs if you can team with a more experienced paddler. Learning about bigger water in this manner is not without its challenges, though. In sitting in the back of a surfski with the more experienced paddler steering in the front, one may get enough water in their seat to feel like they will imminently float off and out of the surfski. The backseat paddler often gets a fairly steady shower of water in their face from the front seat paddle strokes. And even though the more experienced paddler may have the situation well in hand, it can feel to the less experienced paddler like their surfski is sometimes perilously off balance (though strong paddlers typically make double skis much more stable than the inexperienced paddlers can make them on their own). Some doubles allow steering to be done from either seat. But - bottom line - with a competent, experienced paddler in charge, a less experienced paddler can experience what an absolute blast downwinding can be in conditions that they are not yet capable of paddling solo. | + | Downwinding in a double is **one way to get experience on bigger runs** if you can **team with a more experienced paddler**. It is not uncommon for surfski instructors to introduce inexperienced paddlers to their first significant downwinding in a double surfski. Learning about bigger water in this manner can **have some challenges**, though. In sitting in the back of a surfski with the more experienced paddler steering in the front, one may get enough water in their seat to **feel like they will imminently float off and out of the surfski**. (Some doubles allow steering from either seat) The backseat paddler often gets a fairly steady shower of water in their face from the front seat paddle strokes. And even though the more experienced paddler may have the situation well in hand, **it can feel to the less experienced paddler like their surfski is sometimes perilously off balance** (though strong paddlers typically make double skis much more stable than inexperienced paddlers can make them on their own). //On the other hand, if your experience of your first big downwinder seems completely trouble free because you have an expert paddler in your double with you, don't be fooled into thinking it should immediately be as simple and problem free for you in a single surfski//. **B****ottom line - with a competent, experienced paddler in charge, a less experienced paddler can experience what an absolute blast downwinding can be in conditions that they are not yet capable of paddling solo**. |
| - | + | * [[:surfski_tables#double_surfskis|Double Surfski Table]] (measurements & reviews) | |
| - | * [[https://tcsurfski.com/2018/09/14/the-best-things-in-life-are-those-we-can-share/|TCSurfski Tandem Paddling Experiences & Advice 9/2018]] | + | * **Advice** |
| - | * [[https://youtu.be/XayZWCL4ylo|Boyan Teaching in Double in Tarifa (Gibraltar Run) 9/2022]] | + | * [[https://tcsurfski.com/2018/09/14/the-best-things-in-life-are-those-we-can-share/|TCSurfski Tandem Paddling Experiences & Advice 9/2018]] |
| - | * [[:double_surfski_tips|Tandem Paddling Tips Whatcom Paddlers 1\09\2023]] | + | * [[:double_surfski_tips|Tandem Paddling Tips Whatcom Paddlers 1\09\2023]] |
| - | * **Richard Forbes - Video Lessons in Doubles** | + | * Remounting in a double is different than in a single - practice and master your [[:remount#double_surfski_remounts|Double Remounts]]. |
| - | * [[https://youtu.be/hSMWEPnYB5c?t=94|Inexperienced Paddler Commenting On Miller's Run With More Experienced Paddler]] 12/7/2023 | + | * **Video Lessons in Doubles** |
| - | * [[https://youtu.be/uPjshdjp0bk|Out of Their Depth Miller's Run Double]] 12/29/2023 | + | * **Boyan Zlatarev** |
| + | * [[https://youtu.be/XayZWCL4ylo|Boyan Teaching in Double in Tarifa (Gibraltar Run video) 9/2022]] | ||
| + | * **Richard Forbes** | ||
| + | * [[https://youtu.be/hSMWEPnYB5c?t=94|Inexperienced Paddler Commenting On Miller's Run With More Experienced Paddler]] 12/7/2023 | ||
| + | * [[https://youtu.be/uPjshdjp0bk|Out of Their Depth Miller's Run Double]] 12/29/2023 | ||
| * … | * … | ||
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| * …. | * …. | ||
| + | </WRAP> | ||
| + | |||
| + | from **PonoBill on Standupzone.com: ** (talking about SUPs but this holds true for surfskis also) | ||
| + | |||
| + | <WRAP center round tip 95%> \\ | ||
| + | “The primary reason swells roll under riders (paddlers) is that they (//the swell//) are moving too fast and have no definition or steepness on their face. The best riders accelerate their boards with small swells, hop to medium sized ones and then get the biggies. You really can't paddle fast enough to get the big on your own. If there isn't enough of that kind of texture (//smaller and slower waves//) you're not going to make it no matter how good you are…" \\ | ||
| </WRAP> | </WRAP> | ||
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| * [[https://www.epickayaks.com/post/ready-for-open-water|Epic Kayaks "Ready for Open Water"]] | * [[https://www.epickayaks.com/post/ready-for-open-water|Epic Kayaks "Ready for Open Water"]] | ||
| * [[:downwind_technique_eb|Eric Borgnes' Downwind Technique pdf]] | * [[:downwind_technique_eb|Eric Borgnes' Downwind Technique pdf]] | ||
| + | * [[https://surfskischool.co.za/product/downwind-pro/|Mocke Online Downwind Course]] $ | ||
| * [[:nautical_charts|Online Nautical Charts]] | * [[:nautical_charts|Online Nautical Charts]] | ||
| * [[:places_surfski|Places to Surfski/Downwind]] | * [[:places_surfski|Places to Surfski/Downwind]] | ||
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| * **Boyan Zlatarev** | * **Boyan Zlatarev** | ||
| * [[https://youtu.be/rZVyl06BPxQ|Downwind Surfski Basics ]] | * [[https://youtu.be/rZVyl06BPxQ|Downwind Surfski Basics ]] | ||
| - | * [[https://www.facebook.com/578374501/videos/1405033240227827/|Downwind Tactics]] | + | * [[https://www.facebook.com/578374501/videos/1405033240227827/|Downwind Tactics]] (facebook) |
| * [[https://www.facebook.com/surfskicenter/videos/731644591001372/|Making Choices]] | * [[https://www.facebook.com/surfskicenter/videos/731644591001372/|Making Choices]] | ||
| * **Darryl Khng** | * **Darryl Khng** | ||
| - | * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oRd_eufYjc|Catching Runs and Transitioning]] | + | * [[https://youtu.be/0oRd_eufYjc|How I Catch Runs]] |
| + | * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPd-OrMm20E|How I Catch Runs II]] | ||
| + | * [[https://youtu.be/cav57ZAmMZQ|How I Catch Runs III]] | ||
| * **Dawid & Jasper Mocke** | * **Dawid & Jasper Mocke** | ||
| - | * [[https://youtu.be/8pLyPcswt-E|Interview about Downwinding]] | + | * [[https://youtu.be/8pLyPcswt-E|Epic Kayaks Interview about Downwinding]] |
| - | * [[https://surfskischool.co.za/product/downwind-pro/|Online Downwind Course]] $ | + | |
| * **Greg Barton** | * **Greg Barton** | ||
| * [[https://youtu.be/AYiJdYZ1o34|Interview - Practice, Practice, Practice]] | * [[https://youtu.be/AYiJdYZ1o34|Interview - Practice, Practice, Practice]] | ||
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| * [[https://youtu.be/_0k0dAp0IF0|Downwind Lessons]] | * [[https://youtu.be/_0k0dAp0IF0|Downwind Lessons]] | ||
| * [[https://vimeo.com/84756305|Choosing Where to Go and Being Patient]] With Boyan Z. in Tarifa | * [[https://vimeo.com/84756305|Choosing Where to Go and Being Patient]] With Boyan Z. in Tarifa | ||
| + | * **Pierre Vilella** | ||
| + | * As of 2026 Pierre is offering to analyze your downwind videos. Check the video of his first analysis ([[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIKwlrl1iXw|1st Analysis Video 2026]]) which tells you how to submit videos for analysis. | ||
| * **The Paddle Channel** | * **The Paddle Channel** | ||
| * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3qydK-OxsM|Reducing Swamping During Downwinding]] | * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3qydK-OxsM|Reducing Swamping During Downwinding]] | ||
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