one-arm surfing

[tedsurf1950]

Hi. My name is Ted Preciado and I live in Cape Town, SA. Been surfing since '69 (I'm 59 years young!). I just want to ask as many people as I can about surfing (actually taking off and getting up) with a very weak wrist. My friend's wife just tried surfing a few days ago and she has a very very weak wrist, which makes it difficult to push up and stand on take off. Does anyone have any advice at all? I suggested perhaps if she can't use the one arm, to try a SUP (Stand Up Paddle board). I'm sure there are people that surf with only one arm. I also suggested she start immediately knee paddling, so the take off wouldn't be so severe on her one bad wrist. I'm not sure what's really best or easiest. Any suggestions?
Cheers and keep surfing. It keeps you young!

[SDCali]

Bethany Hamilton... young surfer from Kauai, Hawaii, surfs with only one arm after being attacked by a shark several years ago, but I think she has some sort of handle modified on her board.

[parrysurf]

^ I don't think she ride a modified board, just center push on the take off.

Have a friend who has a birth defect and he has mostly no right hand...he does the the Bethany Hamilton style one arm take off..he centers his good hand on the board and his other arm just helps balance him as he gets up. He rips too!
Hope you can take some help from this.
good luck

[isaluteyou]

^ I don't think she ride a modified board, just center push on the take off.

The modification(handle) is for duckdiving saw her compete on one of the live web streams and she uses it for that purpose. The pop-up is one handed though from the centre of the board.

However keep in mind she is young (not taking anything away from her as its totally amazing) and she already knew how to surf. For someone who is just begining and im assuming much older it would be very difficult to develop that technique. Perhaps you can try get her to pop-up to her knees first and then to the feet so do it in two steps you need hardle any effort to get to the knees and totally doable with one hand. After that is perfected she could develop the full method.

just my 2c

[IB_Surfer]

Get her a bigger board and have her paddle into the wave on her knees.

[oldgrom]

Use a wrist brace to support that wrist.

[tedsurf1950]

Hey, just wanted to say thanks for all the replies. I also thought of a center one hand push up, but she is just a beginner, which may or may not be that difficult to master. Some of the replies also reiterated my suggestion of knee paddling take offs. I would like again to thank everyone for taking interest. I'll pass on the info to my friend. PS. Had a cooking session at a surf spot here just outside Cape Town at Melkbos, with strong off-shores and 4-5 foot fast running waves. Such a good way to end a hard day's work! I'm stoked!

[santiagonewman]

I have a parolised right arm and am adicted to surfing. Just recently I baught a Bic Super Magnum 9'4''x27.5'' wide. It catches waves like a dream and turnes easily. I use my forarm accross the width of the board to get to my knees and pop up from there, now it is very fluid and quick. As I prefer surfing and not too much paddling I usually enjoy a sandy bottom take off. I slide the board into the oncoming wave and slide onto the board. This meens one stroke is enough to catch a wave of up to 5 feet. I would sugest padding on the forarm of the wet suit! But I also knee paddle the Bic as it is very stable. However I really want to practice a one handed pop up, but at 48 years old Im not too sure how much it would drain my energy, as in one hour I often catch 15 or more waves, but the Bic makes the wave last all the way to the beach, riding along the face. I hope this helps

[surf patrol]

Hi santiagonewman, welcome to Surfing Waves!
Thanks for posting, it's great that you've not let your arm hold your surfing back and spoil the stoke. An inspiration to every surfer
Welcome to the forum.

[MiloBali]

Hello guys,
I surf two years, move to Bali because that. Also had paralysed right hand so I paddle just one. After two years could say, its work. You have to find a good technique how to paddle effectively(I start a using paddle glove now and its like 20% more energy!), standing like go with hand slightly in the middle and support by the other hand. Once you stand up, its no matter. I start at 9,2" now after few boards move finally to 6,2" single. Its hard, lot of energy, but it works and on the end is all about a passion you give to that. hope everyone have same difficulties fight it and be a great surfer. Cheers.

[surf patrol]

Hi MiloBali, welcome to Surfing Waves!
Great first post, there's inspiration for anyone to get started.

[oldmansurfer]

Bethany Hamilton's take on one arm surfing