15 de fevereiro de 2026

Are you paddling right?

The Most Common Paddling Mistakes

A lot of surfers struggle with paddling even after years in the water. It’s one of the most important parts of surfing, however it’s also one of the most overlooked. But the bottom line is always: if you can’t paddle well, you’re going to miss waves, burn out early, and get caught inside more often than you should and waste energy trying to get out.

Here are four of the most common paddling mistakes and how to fix them.

1. Poor Catch and Pull Technique

The most common paddling mistake happens in the first part of the stroke when your hand enters the water and starts to pull. A lot of surfers push downwards instead of pulling the water back when they paddle. This is a tricky thing to notice because if you push the water down you might feel like you have better positioning and buoyancy as your chest might lift, but you won’t be moving forward with this movement, and alas, it will be wasted effort.

What actually moves you forward when paddling is pulling the water straight back, not pushing it down. When your hand enters the water, it should immediately catch water and feel pressure as you start pulling back right away. If your hand slides through the water or doesn’t engage from the start of the stroke then you’re wasting energy and effort. This is what swimmers call a “low catch”.

A strong or “high catch” means keeping your elbows high, and getting your hand and forearm vertical early in the stroke and pulling water back along you, not down or sideways. If you’re doing this part right, you should feel pressure against your hand and forearm. That pressure is what drives your board forward.

2. Reaching Too Far and Wasting Energy on the Recovery

Some surfers try to reach way out in front, thinking a longer stroke is always better, however, it’s not. Reaching too far can actually throw off your timing and make you arch your back awkwardly. Worse, this big reach which is actually your recovery time ends up being too high and too wide, and can actually waste energy instead of restoring it.

The key to fixing this is to keep your stroke tight and reach just far enough to set a clean and effective vertical catch with your hand and forearm, then pull back. Your recovery should be relaxed, without having to strain a stretch for your next stroke.

3. Not Holding a Strong Arch

Your paddling posture matters just as much as your stroke, and a weak back or chest position can even slow you down. When you paddle, your chest should be lifted, and your lower ribs should be just above or lightly touching the board. This arch in your back helps keep your weight balanced and your board flat on the water. If your chest is too low or your head is hanging, the nose of your board might dig in making it harder to paddle.

A strong arch also helps you breathe better and keeps your paddling stroke in the right zone.

4. Slipping Through the Water Instead of Catching It

Sometimes paddling feels fast but it isn’t. If your hands are just slicing through the water without resistance, you’re not actually moving water, and consequently not moving you or your board.

Remember: You want to feel the water when you paddle. Go slow to feel the water, there should be pressure on your palm and forearm as you pull back, that’s what gives you propulsion. If your hand slips through with no resistance, you’re not catching water. Think of it like trying to pull yourself forward using a rope. If you just slide your hand along the rope without gripping it, you’re not going anywhere.

Final Thoughts

Fixing your paddling is one of the fastest ways to improve your surfing. You’ll catch more waves, conserve more energy, and stay out longer. Pay attention to how your hands enter the water, how your body is positioned, and whether you’re actually moving water or just wasting energy with unnecessary movements.

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