The sport of paddleboarding requires strength, balance and endurance. One of the essential skills you’ll need to develop is how to turn a SUP board while paddling. Becoming proficient at turning a paddle board can greatly enhance your enjoyment of the sport. Here are 3 techniques that can help you turn your board with ease:
Turning a Paddle Board
Table of Contents
The Basic Forward-Sweep Stroke
The forward-sweep stroke is a simple propulsion method that provides stability and control. Here’s how to perform this turn:
To turn left:
- Stand with a wide stance and slightly bend your knees for balance.
- Reach forward with your paddle and submerge the whole blade in the water on the right side of the board near the board’s nose.
- In a wide arc, perform a sweeping motion towards the tail of the board.
- Your board will begin to turn to the left as you complete the stroke.
The Cross Bow Stroke
The cross bow stroke is an intermediate technique for a quicker turn.
To perform a left turn:
- Twist your body to the left and place the paddle in the water on the left side of the board.
- Bend your knees and maintain a low stance for balance.
- Sweep the paddle in a wide, arching stroke across the nose through to the tail of the board on your right.
- Your board will respond by turning quickly to the left.
The Step Back Turn
Also called the Pivot Turn, this is an advanced maneuver that’s used in SUP racing:
- First, make sure your paddle is out of the water.
- Step one foot back to sink the tail of the board into the water.
- Keep your front foot near the middle of the board for balance.
- Place the paddle into the water and perform an arching sweep towards the tail.
- The board will turn rapidly and tightly.
Tips When Turning
Always wear a leash to prevent the board drifting away if you fall.
Keeping the blade of your paddle in the water can provide additional stability.
Bend your knees if you feel unsteady, as staying low makes it easier to balance.
The more you practise your turns, the more you will improve your skills. Start with the basic forward sweep stroke, then progress to the more advanced techniques when you feel confident to do so. Remember to practise in calm water before tackling more challenging conditions.
Common SUP Board Turning Mistakes to Avoid
Even the most tranquil SUP session can become frustrating if you don’t know how to avoid mistakes that can hinder your ability to turn your board effectively. Here are some pitfalls you should avoid to ensure a trouble-free paddleboarding session:
Relying exclusively on arm power:
Beginners often make the mistake of using only their arms to paddle. However, this leads to rapid fatigue and will limit your ability to turn. Instead, engage your core and use your whole body to power the paddle.
Irregular weight distribution:
Your stance on the board can greatly affect your ability to maneuver. Poor weight distribution can make turning more difficult. Make sure you stand balanced; adjust your stance as needed when preparing to turn.
Over-compensating with the paddle:
Use smooth, controlled strokes to maintain direction and stability. Over-zealous paddle strokes can disrupt your balance and cause over-correction.
Ignoring environmental factors:
Wind, waves and currents can significantly impact your paddleboard’s behaviour. Be aware of these conditions and adjust your turning technique accordingly to maintain control.
Not bending knees:
Keeping your knees straight can make you unstable. Bending them slightly will lower your centre of gravity and improve your balance, especially when you turn.
Stalling the paddle to regain balance:
Although it’s tempting to stop paddling and use the paddle to balance, it can stall your turn. Keep the paddle moving to maintain momentum and steer through the turn.
Over-using the Pivot Turn:
Although the pivot turn is effective, it’s not always necessary and can be overused. Use this turn judiciously for a quick direction change, not as your standard for every turn.
Not enough practice:
As with any skill, proficiency in turning your SUP comes with practice. Spend some time on practising the various turn techniques in different conditions to build your skill and confidence.
Focusing on proper technique and avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll find that performing your SUP board turns will become a more intuitive and enjoyable part of your paddleboarding sessions.
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