Surfing Waves

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....

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.

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

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

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

waikikikichan wrote:

XiloRider wrote: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.

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.

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