Just wondering if anyone has experienced a muscle / body imbalance due to always / most of the time (specially when catching a wave) preferring to paddle on one side because it feels more comfortable & stronger - eg. I am a natural footer and so I paddle in a semi natural stance always (also it is the only way to go over waves), I have tried to use a more common even stance but that is no good. Maybe I should switch to a more goofy stance when paddling around - and then back to my natural stance when catching waves ?:-)

On the opposite, the "semi natural" (aka fenced, staggered) is much more efficient, but do not feel natural to most people (including me), and they have to learn to be comfortable with it. So keep using it!
My advice would be to try to switch foot positions form time to time, to balance the efforts on the muscles.

Don't know if this is helpful, or relevant, but when landpaddling I am in natural surf stance all the time - square on just doesn't work, and likely to end in a face plant in to concrete.
It is easier to paddle on the natural side, and as steering is coming from the board more than the paddle, no need to swap sides. But as it is quite high impact paddling on concrete rather than water, I make a point of swapping sides and paddling across my body, "backhand", to balance load.
Once you get used to ignoring the strangeness, it's pretty easy to get almost full power. Don't think you would paddle for a wave backhand, but for cruising / waiting around, to balance things out , it should work.
Similar to moving back to turn, then swapping right turn for left.

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colas said..
On the opposite, the "semi natural" (aka fenced, staggered) is much more efficient, but do not feel natural to most people (including me), and they have to learn to be comfortable with it. So keep using it!
My advice would be to try to switch foot positions form time to time, to balance the efforts on the muscles.

Yes that is what I am doing guys - I just thought maybe there was another way to balance the muscles so to speak, maybe with other training like weights etc. (I am no longer young - in my mid 50s now?:-)
thanks

I brought a left handed paddle .Im goofy.

on a serious note.drop your blade size may help . .less stress on us ageing masters.

Try catching right handers in a semi goofy stance, paddle on left.... will feel odd for a while..until you are used to it. This should even you out and gives the added benefit of seeing the wave better as it approaches

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Johndesu said..

colas said..
On the opposite, the "semi natural" (aka fenced, staggered) is much more efficient, but do not feel natural to most people (including me), and they have to learn to be comfortable with it. So keep using it!
My advice would be to try to switch foot positions form time to time, to balance the efforts on the muscles.

Yes that is what I am doing guys - I just thought maybe there was another way to balance the muscles so to speak, maybe with other training like weights etc. (I am no longer young - in my mid 50s now?:-)
thanks

Hey!!!!!! 50's IS still young

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Johndesu said..
maybe with other training like weights etc.

Land training is so boring, it is easier to just switch sides on the water.

On the land, what helped me most is things complementary to SUP, especially stretching of the hips and legs joints & muscles.

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Tardy said..
I brought a left handed paddle .Im goofy.

on a serious note.drop your blade size may help . .less stress on us ageing masters.

You got one too, mine came with the goofy foot board and they throw in a screw driver set just as a bonus!

You need to paddle just as well on both sides keeping your feet in the surfer stance , really important on take off stops you looking over your shoulder. I don't have a favorite side and that's just from practice. This will also stop unintentional drop in's so you can look back the line up as you paddle in on your backhand side and really helps on late take off's and popping over waves.

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DaveSandan said..

Tardy said..
I brought a left handed paddle .Im goofy.

on a serious note.drop your blade size may help . .less stress on us ageing masters.

You got one too, mine came with the goofy foot board and they throw in a screw driver set just as a bonus!

And don't forget the left legged leg rope ...

here's a quiz...why do some board brands have 2 leg rope plugs .got me stuffed .

Is it because we paddle on one side ??

So you can connect your leash to both plugs so it never pulls out , on those really big days.....

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Piros said..
So you can connect your leash to both plugs so it never pulls out , on those really big days.....

Forgotten what a big day is........

i am regular footed, but can ride switch. had to learn switch to skate fakies in pipes and pools, back when i was a durable young man, who could run it out trying skate tricks in pools---dem days be over.

when i turn to paddle for a left, i always go clockwise, paddle on left side of board, in surf stance, but goofy (frontside). i stay goofy for the drop, then switch to regular stance (backside) when i want to turn more. occasionally i'll take the whole wave goofy.

just one of my self-taught routines--works well for me

Come on guys......Just as I thought I was going OK,along come a few of you telling/enlightening me to the benefits of swapping from regular to goofy foot stance depending on whether the wave is a left or a right!

Seriously, I don't know why I hadn't considered it.I paddle surf stance,regular foot all the time and steer the board with my feet as a result I'm starting to get a pectoral muscle imbalance so this will help, plus all the benefits of sighting the wave etc!

Thanks of the advice and challenge. It is why I like this site and the sport!

also--i wear a leashlok waist leash, so no legleash tangles when i switch stance

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boundeast said..
also--i wear a leashlok waist leash, so no legleash tangles when i switch stance

Sounds interesting - can you post a photo ?:-)

Thanks Guys - DiscoStupid, Piros etc., I do sometimes try to switch feet near the end of the wave but it is hard on a small board (a bit better on bigger boards), and I will also try to catch waves & paddle in an opposite stance (sounds like good fun :-)