Hi all,

This is probably going to sound rather strange, but I've been paddling on & off for a couple of years now, having gone through the 'beginners wobbles' re. balance etc. as most do. But...

For the past 18 months I've been stable & solid as a rock on my board, but for some reason in the past month I seem to have developed a SUP version of the 'yips'. Can't seem to get my feet set right, and am constantly struggling with balance. Now, I don't have some skinny race board or a tiny Surf SUP - I'm on a 2015 10' Naish Mana which is (or at least was...) like a stable table.

No significant weight changes for me, nothing's changed in the board, and there's nothing else I can think of that would be having an effect like this.

Anyone else ever gone through a period like this? Or am I just going a bit nuts and it's a mental thing ala golfing 'yips'? Very frustrating...

Are you experiencing balance problems when you are off the water too? So for instance, if you are using a balance board, or if you try to balance on one leg with you eyes closed, or walk along a narrow beam?

Are you taking any medication now that you did not before? Have you recently suffered an injury?

I would have thought that the first thing to establish was whether this might have a physical cause. There are lots of medical conditions that can lead to balance difficulties, and it may be just that you only notice it when you SUP because that is the only time you are really testing your balance skills to their maximum.

Can you pinpoint the start of this problem to one event, or did it come on gradually, and if so, over how long a period?

go see a doctor
get an MRI. dont waste time

Buy a wider board..

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petedorries said..
go see a doctor
get an MRI. dont waste time

I agree - good advice. I had some issues at one point that ended up being serious. Go see a professional.

Thanks guys. No balance issues anywhere else but haven't exactly tested it a lot. Have been having some Kidney issues of late, and antibiotics to help with it, but wouldn't have thought that would affect balance. Up for review this week though so will let the Doc know and see if he'll give me a referral for an MRI just to rule anything else out. Appreciate the input - just getting p!55ed off with the wobbles...

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DavidJohn said...
Buy a wider board..

Reckon this'd do the trick DJ? One-up?

Get thee to a doctor!
Fifteen years ago, I developed Tulios Syndrome that came on very suddenly - losing my balance entirely - temporarily ending my shortboard riding days and any kind of surfing for that matter. A very astute doctor and extensive testing that was funded by the RPA neurological department at the time - diagnosed Superior Canal Dehiscence - which was only treatable by fairly severe surgery. However, I opted to belay any such measures and implemented an attitude of "make or break" - and kept working on my balance in various physical activities and sports. Eventually, I overcame the disorder.. by compensating with other senses, and today, very few can tell that I have it. It took a few years before I returned to surfing - but pushing myself was the only way - and I now forget I have it most of the time - apart from when I either think of it (like now), or when the going really gets tough, in testing my balance. If you indeed are diagnosed with this.... take heart, for it can be overcome. It is being discovered to be more than the rare disorder it once was thought - but bugger being stuck in a wheelchair.. as many sufferers to this day are! As for getting a wider board.. or something "easier" - f... that! You wont get better, only worse!
I am happy to share how I have overcome this, more extensively.. if you do have it.. or something similar. However, I do not wish this on anyone - its been a struggle at times!
Regards
Kuz

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LordKuz said...
Get thee to a doctor!
Fifteen years ago, I developed Tulios Syndrome that came on very suddenly - losing my balance entirely - temporarily ending my shortboard riding days and any kind of surfing for that matter. A very astute doctor and extensive testing that was funded by the RPA neurological department at the time - diagnosed Superior Canal Dehiscence - which was only treatable by fairly severe surgery. However, I opted to belay any such measures and implemented an attitude of "make or break" - and kept working on my balance in various physical activities and sports. Eventually, I overcame the disorder.. by compensating with other senses, and today, very few can tell that I have it. It took a few years before I returned to surfing - but pushing myself was the only way - and I now forget I have it most of the time - apart from when I either think of it (like now), or when the going really gets tough, in testing my balance. If you indeed are diagnosed with this.... take heart, for it can be overcome. It is being discovered to be more than the rare disorder it once was thought - but bugger being stuck in a wheelchair.. as many sufferers to this day are! As for getting a wider board.. or something "easier" - f... that! You wont get better, only worse!
I am happy to share how I have overcome this, more extensively.. if you do have it.. or something similar. However, I do not wish this on anyone - its been a struggle at times!
Regards
Kuz

Thanks Kuz - your openness with what you went through is very much appreciated. Will call up the Doc first thing Tues and get moving on finding out what's happening. The original post was just to see if the 'yips'-type thing is something that happens in SUP. It seems not!

I have been experiencing the same thing.
I was looking at going down to a smaller board but over the last month or so have been struggling to balance . I thought I might go to the gym and work on my general strength and fitness to see if that helps.

Hey Roscoe,

sometimes a long flatwater paddle can help to get your 'Mojo' back.
Although this sounds a bit simplistic, a flatwater paddle can help your re-evaluate your balance issues in a low stress environment.
No harm in trying I reckon.
Good luck, i hope it all sorts itself out for you.

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Antho said...
Hey Roscoe,

sometimes a long flatwater paddle can help to get your 'Mojo' back.
Although this sounds a bit simplistic, a flatwater paddle can help your re-evaluate your balance issues in a low stress environment.
No harm in trying I reckon.
Good luck, i hope it all sorts itself out for you.

Cheers Antho - will give it a go

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bazell said...
I have been experiencing the same thing.
I was looking at going down to a smaller board but over the last month or so have been struggling to balance . I thought I might go to the gym and work on my general strength and fitness to see if that helps.

Hey Bazell,
Yeah I'm pretty good with doing my core strength work but could absolutely do with more general fitness and some weight loss. Thanks for the response

When are you falling off (or getting the wobbles); just paddling around, turning for the wave, or on the wave? The faster you paddle the more stable you should be. But being wobbly when turning for the wave or riding the wave may be corrected with technique (and practice).

I get the yips occasionally; especially if I lose concentration and fall. It seems to take a little while to feel solid again. Our brains play games. The more you think about it, the wobblier you get. But now you are probably always thinking about it... Maybe you need to take out a Go Pro or something to take your mind off it (assuming it isn't medical).

Mate I'm a nurse, sounds either neurological or inner ear to me, see a Dr.

Yep, I agree a trip to the quack is advisable.
Lots of factors can combined to impact on your balance (physical that is but I guess the same goes for the mental side)
If you have had recent medical problems and been on a pharmaceutical program then side effects can be an issue
Yoga is a good path to try especially if you are getting on in years
good luck

Have you had a birthday lately?

Age has a way of challenging the balance.

i found my ears were causing a similar problem, I'm in the water most days, i felt my inner ear was getting sloshy? started using aqua ear again, seems to have sorted it

Thanks guys for the responses. I'll get in touch with the Doc tomorrow methinks. Never hurts to get it checked!

In terms of where it's happening, it seems to be more at lower speeds with cross-chop. Sounds obvious but never used to have this much issue with it. Might try and get into some super flat water and see if I can get my mojo back.

Thanks to all for the assistance

Well it MAY be that the mystery is solved...have been on a few courses of antibiotics lately, and the Doc advises me they can occasionally cause dizziness as a side-effect. I told him what was going on re. balance probs on a SUP but nowhere else, and he said the effect on balance (via the middle/inner ear) of the drugs, combined with the natural motion of water (especially movement that is not predictable ie. sidechop or confused seas) is most likely the culprit.

I'll just have to take it easy off the water til the drugs get out of the system, and see what happens!

God, when I was 18 I could go out and get p!55ed as a newt then go surfing with a monster hangover & associated dizziness/seediness the next morning with no problem! Just pushed past 40 and a puny little antibiotic puts me on my arse??

I'm getting too old for this sh!t...

Yeah.. Happy ending..

Still might need a wider board..

Good to hear. 40 seems like a long time ago...

+ 1

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DavidJohn said...
Yeah.. Happy ending..

Still might need a wider board..

This big enough DJ?

Have you checked that your board hasn't taken on water? Causing it to have less floatation?

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roscoe1974 said..

DavidJohn said...
Yeah.. Happy ending..

Still might need a wider board..

This big enough DJ?

Nice.. You Only Live Once..

Good news Roscoe...at least you know what the problem is now.