SUP Support Strokes
Support strokes when on a SUP are one of the key techniques we use to remain on our paddle-board during rapids, if we lose our balance, or crossing eddy lines. But what options have we got and when/where might they come in handy?
Low Brace:
This is a stroke whereby your paddle is positioned to the side of your SUP in a horizontal position with your elbows in a downwards position. From here you can choose to either have the paddle just above the water in a reactive position, or on the surface of the water in a proactive position. This way, if you lose you balance you can gently press down on the water with the blade using it to stop you from falling in before slicing the paddle back up to either repeat the move or if it was successful return back to your original position. If the paddle is in a reactive position there is a momentary delay in this move whereby you have to touch the water with the blade first. This can come with a downside of slightly more force applied in the stroke which means that there is a higher risk of shoulder injury, but it also comes with an upside, because your paddle is above the water it isn’t slowing you down or turning you. This stroke is handy when going down rapids or when surfing. But is more useful on the first option. A slight downside to this stroke is we are not paddling and generating momentum, as such, we either need to generate speed before hand, or accept we are going the same pace as the water which means we are not controlling our SUP direction very much and as such need to have lined up the board correctly before hand so that we have the ability to drift with the current & relax with our only support being a Low brace if required to do so.
Stern brace
This stroke is very similar to the low brace except for the fact it is positioned at the very back of the SUP. This obviously takes more weight to the back and lifts the nose up more. And is exceptionally handy when surfing waves as we can place the paddle either on top of the foam pile behind us on even on small waves behind the foam pile in the marginally less aerated water allowing for more support on the blade with the water. It is easier at the back of the board to swing the paddle into more of a pry or stern rudder allowing for directional control on the SUP while surfing as well. And this stroke also comes in handy when going over any drops as it allows us to remain in contact with the water for long and helps to lift the nose of the SUP up for longer allowing for a more horizontal board to connect the water which in turn means we are less likely to get shot off the front on landing.
Back Brace
This one again is similar to the previous two – the paddle is place out on the water behind you to support you from losing balance backwards. However this comes at quite significant risk! You can’t see behind you and don’t know it is shallow or deep – if it is shallow this stroke could easily result in shoulder injury as the shoulders are already in an extended position by reaching far around behind you so if you hit a rock with the paddle there is no give in your body… As such this is really only acceptable in two instances (in the authors opinion) when you categorically cannot risk falling off i.e. the chance for injury or worse is horrific like paddling in Grade 5, or if you absolutely categorically know it is deep behind you – the only real time this is very likely is actually surfing waves as it is normally a deep pool behind a foam pile (although not always!). So we recommend you don’t use this stroke unless you really have to.
Paddling for Support
All three of the above options mean we are going at the pace of the water or slower than the water. This is the alternative option whereby we go quicker than the water. And in many respects if a preferred option for support. This is very easy – we maintain an active paddling stroke throughout the rapid – whenever our paddle is in the water in any means we naturally have an extra point of connection which assists with our balance and support. It means that we are constantly in control of the direction of our board and can drive through features like small waves/stoppers. Once we get to bigger features to be fair it becomes a combination of many different things but this is still our normal method of support for more experienced paddlers.
Overall we have four main support strokes but only three we can safely use in most normal circumstances. The author would recommend playing about with each and finding what works for you and what you like to use. You will likely find each has it’s own time and place.
If you want to find out for yourself and get coaching then why not book onto a lesson?