i have a DC 9' and a Starboard 14 Surfrace. I feel that with race style boards you need a longer paddle. The two issues are that you are higher out of the water on a race board and your stroke needs to be longer to generate power. Can those of you who have done a fair bit of race and down wind paddling give me some feedback. I am starting to paddle longer distances now and paddling for an hour into the wind 15+ knots and then downwind is a good work out for me.

Yes, it's a good workout.

Longer strokes feel like they have more power. But you do get plenty of power from short strokes too. Paddle is in the prime power zone for longer (on short strokes). Set yourself a course, and paddle at 55-60 stokes per minute, do it again at 40 strokes, and repeat a few more times.... observe results.

www.davidkalama.com/
http://www.davidkalama.com/2010/12/14/use-your-hips/

And get 2 paddles.

Hi johndg,

I've got the 14' Surf Race too, love it! Did a downwinder on it today with DJ. I use a paddle 15" over my height with the Surf Race, a Kialoa Methane. I've also got a Methane 12" over my height and I tend to use the 12' for flat water paddling.

Thanks for comments. Interesting comment by Kalama on using your hips to pull yourself forward. I will try it. I like the surface but have only paddled once with another race board. The conditions were 35kts cross off and I was just getting used to the board. Ben was on a carbon 14 naish and he went faster than me. The starboard has good secondary stability as it wants to self right. I have not seen them advertised and bought it after seeing them in a YouTube down winder where they are motoring. I live in Geraldton Wa and we get windy conditions. The race class here is limited.

13" over for me.. cos that's as long as they come..

DJ