Kick Paddling

[Rodrigo]

finding that I kick with my legs when paddling hard for a wave, usually just before takeoff to get that extra wham !

I suspect that the extra power it gives me may be more psychological than physical, and im actually wondering if it might in fact do the opposite and slow me down by acting as a drag on the back end of the board

any ideas ?

thanks,

[Hopupu]

I think (no scientific evidence) it creates a lot of drag, especially because it makes the board itself move more (and creating drag -> loosing speed).

I always put my feet up and I can catch waves with my longboard far back.

Although I see a lot of shortboarders catch waves kicking easy.

[bluesnowcone]

iv never realy got on with kicking, i always end up smaking my feet on the tail and it realy hurts

[kitesurfer]

Agreed it probably is psychological but i feel i put more effort into my paddling if im kicking as well.
KS

[gage]

it gives you balance and you paddle as if your swimming so ure paddeling alot harder and harder = faster and faster = catching waves it works for me

[rto3]

for me
longboard-just arms with feet raised out of the water.
shortboard-arms and kicking. yeah i dont know if it really helps, personally i feel it does, but yeah maybe all in my mind.

[^*^BATMAN^*^]

I would have to agree, its all in your head. Though if thats what it takes. Comming froma swimmign background, i know that kicking provides vary little forward movement(minus short races(under 200m). While I know that you think you sure as hell arnt paddling 200m, but because of your position on top of the water, you are not really getting a very effective kick, thus hardly any forward propulsion at all.

When I was in NC, i really learned about wave selection, and where to sit at a break. I got it down to being able to take about 3-5 strokes before I was on the wave. Once you figure it out, man does surfing get easier.....

[justloafing]

When I was in NC, i really learned about wave selection, and where to sit at a break. I got it down to being able to take about 3-5 strokes before I was on the wave. Once you figure it out, man does surfing get easier.....

Where did you surf in NC. OBX?

[Rodrigo]

thanks for the replies

guess it doesn't hurt then...