How to Save Energy Paddling out to Distant Point Breaks

If you’ve ever surfed a point break, you know that paddling is part of the challenge. Unlike beach breaks where the waves are closer to land, point breaks often sit farther out. Sometimes it takes over 30 to 40 minutes of steady paddling just to reach the lineup. The first time I surfed a long point break, I made the mistake of getting too excited and sprinting like it was a race. By the time I got outside, I was exhausted, and the first big set took me out before I even caught a wave. Lesson learned.

Start Slow and Steady

It’s always tempting to paddle fast right from the start. You want to get out there and get waves as soon as possible. But if you burn yourself out on the paddle, you’ll be too tired to surf well and really perform. Think of it like a long hike. You don’t sprint the first mile, you pace yourself so you have energy at the end. On long paddles, treat it the same way: steady, calm strokes, and remember that there's no need to rush. Conserve your energy so you can last longer.

Look for the Channels

Every point has its channels a.k.a. safe lanes where the water moves out instead of in. They don’t always look obvious from the water, but from the beach you can usually spot them. A channel might look like a patch of calmer water between breaking sections. It might also be a riptide running alongside the wave. If you’re not sure, pay attention where the experienced surfers paddle out.

Choose the Right Board

Your board choice matters on long paddles. If you take a tiny shortboard with barely any volume, you’ll work twice as hard. A longer board or one with more foam helps you glide with each stroke. On trips to long point breaks, I often bring a board I wouldn’t normally ride at home, something that paddles more efficiently.

Ask the People Who Know

Every lineup has people who’ve surfed it for years. They know where the currents run, where the rocks are, and the quickest way out. If you’re traveling, talk to them. Even better, hire a guide for your first day. It’s a small investment that saves a ton of energy and keeps you safer.

Have a Plan

It sounds simple, but mapping the paddle out makes everything easier. Before you even get in, try and visualize where you’ll enter and which channel you’ll use so if you do get caught inside, you will know where to go. The surfers who get into the wrong spots at point breaks are usually the ones who charge blindly.

Final Thought

Surfing point breaks often require a lot of paddling but it doesn’t have to drain you. Go easy. Use the channels. Ask questions. Pick a board that makes sense. If you accept that paddling is just another part of the session, you’ll arrive at the lineup with a better mindset and more energy. And that’s when the real fun begins.

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