Question on width of surfboard, paddling problems.

Just wondering if the width of a surfboard is much wider than the surfers shoulder width and wing span, would this create problems with smooth paddling. I have noticed on my friends board that when I paddle, I rock from side to side. (Right arm forward, board sinks to the right same for left.) The board is 24" wide. Would this create the rocking problem?

Rob

No, with good paddling technique you should be steady and not rocking side to side. If anything extra width should be more stable

Any other ideas, as to why the board rocks side to side when I paddle?

Does the board have a domed deck and thin rails?

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Any other ideas, as to why the board rocks side to side when I paddle?

Bad technique, or heavy roll on the bottom of your board, combination of both + domed deck

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Just wondering if the width of a surfboard is much wider than the surfers shoulder width and wing span, would this create problems with smooth paddling. I have noticed on my friends board that when I paddle, I rock from side to side. (Right arm forward, board sinks to the right same for left.) The board is 24" wide. Would this create the rocking problem?

Rob

we would assume from the width its a longboard. or is it a custombuilt shorter board ( say under 7’8")?

The board is a 7’10". 24". 3" N:17". T:16" funboard. It does have a crowned deck and a super flat bottom. Never figured the crowned deck would effect the board that much. Thanks all.

I believe the answer is “yes”, it’s width. In rocking, you’re attempting to attain the attitude of maximum power which is elbows arcing thru the pull just outside the shoulder line, and elbows bent at around 45-50 degrees to allow the pull to follow the body centerline.

The guys from taraval blew me away when i saw em paddling alternating arms like the american crawl they stroked like the salamanders[water dogs] at camp marwedell in mendecino…I never said it out loud{ Kohler and Foley were big boys} but I called it salamander paddling.this not only instigates potential rocking but it also opens the door to a body squirm that weaves from side to side in order to dip the forearm into the water deeper could this lend the board to rock…yep. Odd but true yer hand can dip over the side of a 27 0r 28’’ wide board thing! the centerline drive being static and secure down the centerline of the board from contacted chin,pectorals,quadricepts,and instep or toes is the paddle riding posture {we are riding whenever we are on top of the board} I prefeer to drag the board along with me while my arms dip -pull then push off specific water molecules I choose to insert my paddle shaped hands inbetwixt and between to achieve carnal Knowledge and spiritual as well as physical direction in my otherwise undisciplined life…tipping ? try to keep both pectorals down tite… My father had a rolled chest -rib cage and when I took him paddling on the tandem board the year turned sixty I couldnt keep him from overreacting and rolling off while we were paddling out and pushing through…keeping yourself ““DOWN TITE”” to the deck and maintaining symetry could solve the problem,reorientating your Dip-centric paddle style to a sweeping style can help overcome the compulsion to squirmulate…the swimming stroke known as the butterfly is an advanced or evolved breaststrole and as such has a glide moment in its cycle that is missing from the crawl stroke …this glide can help restablish symetry in deck posture…ambrose…the board dont rock by itself

Ambrose… Jim? Dan?, Mike?..which generation?

dan foley…jim kohler…I thimk…If I allow things to roll off my tounge the have an oppertunity to be more accurate,direct questions open te door to self,memory doubt but I think thats right heck it coulda been ricky wwalstrom those guys were almost interchangeable at one time…ambrose…hot morning in waipouli no wind