Paddling problems.

[Dong Dong]

Hello, lately I found out that its hard for me to lift my head and chest up sometimes when paddling, is it normal? And I've seen surfers lifting their legs up when paddling, what is the purpose of that?

[Big H]

Was it not a problem before?

[oldmansurfer]

Is it a problem because of pain? I don't hink lifting your head and chest help paddling and in a study someone recently posted it doesn't. The leg thing is to adjust how the nose of the board rides by moving a little weight forward.....or maybe there was a shark nearby?

[Dong Dong]

Its hard to lift my head up, its tiring for me, is it any way to paddle better? And some tips?

[drowningbitbybit]

You don't need to lift your head up (or at least not much) until the very moment that you're catching a wave, so it shouldn't be tiring you out.
Just keep your head in a comfortable position and concentrate on paddling smoothly - good strong strokes with high elbows, legs together and not flapping out either side of the board, and body in the right position on the board so that its flat on the water.

[dtc]

You could have a weak neck/upper back - or kyphosis due to too much computing. If this is a factor, lifting your head up is pushing your muscles in a way they are not used to, tiring them out and possibly causing pain. You can google up some stretches and exercises (lots of weighted rows and pulls ups)

Lifting feet is usually when the board is shorter and your feet hang over the end. Some people allow them to drag behind in the water and some life to lift them up and get them out of the way.

[Dong Dong]

Oh okay, cheers