Many beginner surfers, and even some with more experience, develop a habit of kicking their feet while paddling for a wave. It might feel like you’re generating extra momentum and power, but the reality is that this frantic flailing is likely hindering your speed and style in the water. Let’s dive into why this common paddling technique is actually counterproductive and what you should focus on instead to improve your surfing.
The idea that kicking your feet propels you forward in surfing is a misconception rooted in a misunderstanding of hydrodynamics and body mechanics. When you’re paddling a surfboard, your primary goal is to glide efficiently through the water. Think about it: your board is designed to displace water and move smoothly. Introducing chaotic leg movements into this equation disrupts that smooth glide and creates unnecessary drag.
Consider the physics involved. Every time you lift a leg out of the water to kick, you shift your weight forward. This causes the nose of your board to dip down, acting like a brake in the water and slowing your forward progress. Furthermore, when your foot slaps back down onto the surface, especially with force, you’re not actually pushing water effectively in the direction you want to go. Instead, you’re creating turbulence and resistance – drag. As one seasoned surfer aptly put it, “The bio-mechanics of the system works against speed by alternatively pushing forward and pulling back on the moving mass as the system (you) moves forward.” This means your legs are essentially working against your intended direction of travel.
Think about boogie boarders or swimmers who use fins. Their legs are submerged, and fins are designed to efficiently push water backward for propulsion. Surface kicking in surfing is vastly different. Your feet are mostly above the waterline, and the slapping motion is far from an efficient way to generate forward motion. The sensation of increased speed that some surfers might feel during kicking is often just the momentary feeling between kicks, masking the overall drag they are creating.
Beyond the physics, there’s also the aspect of style and experience. A surfer who paddles with smooth, powerful strokes and maintains a streamlined body position exudes confidence and control. Conversely, someone frantically kicking their feet appears rushed, unbalanced, and frankly, like a beginner who hasn’t yet developed proper paddling technique or the necessary upper body strength. Surfing is often about grace and flow, and spastic foot kicking is the antithesis of both.
Moreover, in certain surfing locations, particularly those known for shark activity, erratic kicking can be more than just inefficient – it can be alarming. The splashing and commotion created by someone kicking wildly can be unsettling to other surfers in the water, especially in conditions where visibility might be limited. It can create unnecessary tension and distraction in the lineup.
So, what’s the solution? Instead of relying on ineffective kicking, focus on developing a strong and efficient paddling technique using your arms and upper body. This involves:
- Proper Body Positioning: Lie centered on your board, allowing it to glide smoothly.
- Powerful Arm Strokes: Utilize long, deep arm strokes, pulling yourself through the water efficiently.
- Core Engagement: Engage your core for stability and power in your paddle strokes.
- Minimizing Drag: Keep your legs relatively still and streamlined behind you to reduce resistance.
The most effective way to determine if kicking is actually helping or hurting your speed is to test it. Try paddling a short distance with and without kicking and time yourself. You’ll likely find that paddling without kicking, focusing on proper arm technique, is faster and more efficient.
In conclusion, while the instinct to kick your feet for extra speed while surfing might be understandable, it’s ultimately a detrimental habit. It creates drag, disrupts your balance, looks unstylish, and is simply not an effective way to propel yourself through the water. Focus on mastering proper paddling technique with your arms and upper body, and you’ll find yourself catching waves more easily, paddling faster, and looking much more accomplished in the surf.
