Howdy
I have just discovered a great way to paddle out and over large broken/foam waves that is pretty effective 90% of the time, - after catching a wave and paddling back out - and if the wave breaks in front of me then I tilt the nose up a bit and do a hard paddle stroke to get/climb over it as normal but if it is too big/looks to big and messy to make it over (usually over 1/2 meter etc,) then I continue to lean back (please note I need to be in a complete side on surfing stance) and push my board over the wave/foam with my feet as I lean/flip backwards into the water just before the wave hits me (I do not have any photo/s. This has worked most of the time as my board has not been stressed by the wave and there is no risk of breaking a leg rope and I can quickly continue and get back on my board etc, (but I did nearly get hit in the head and nearly sprained my ankle once but I think I know the correct technique now:-)
Just wondering what anyone else thinks and does,- and any ideas when paddling thru a decent surf quickly and effectively etc.?:-)
Thanks

You mean, like this (at 2:37) but on a wall of foam?



I must say I do not dare do it by fear of having the board hurled at me, I tend to do it with some angle to the side so if I miss and the board is pushed back to me I wont be in its path

Hi Colas
Yes but usually the wave has broken sooner as I probably would had tried to punch thru that wave of yours (it is much better if your board has a pointy nose and more rocker/flip in the nose) not like your small Gong, and as I said the trick is to get over the wave as best as possible with out too much stress on the board and the rider. Also if the board is at a bit of an angle then there is more of a risk that the board will hit you / flip at you but if you are dead straight your legs take the full force and you can push with them (but you need to be in a side on surfing stance) as you surf up the foam but if your legs are in a straight paddling stance then the board is more unstable / less control :-)

Yes that is the best option in crowded waves. Safer all around to get your board over the breaking wave.

Yes. It does work a treat. Never had a problem with this, but of course not saying I never will. And Im sure as with myself you don't do it on top of or around others as suggested. In the event of finding others paddling out behind you, it is actually a safer option than just jumping of and letting the board go loose to nail who is ever behind you. I have not as yet had this go wrong but do have a limit to the size of white water before going to the jumping of option.
All your best intentions of paddling out choosing a clear way in front of you with no one behind can quickly change when someone else decides to paddle across in front of you or behind you.
I had this situation not long ago. Paddling out, a set started forming directly in front of me. A short boarder started paddling across towards me, all the time only looking out to sea. My options. I carnt just disappear. So will he stop before he gets to me, will he keep paddling across and pass me. Shall I move left or right to compensate, where is he going to stop and jack around to catch the wave. Still hasn't broken. Choice made I stay straight ahead. Sure enough he turns right in front of me. He was so focused on what he was doing he couldn't here me alerting him to , hey, Im here. Yes collision . Not bad but coped abuse for being where I was.
You can always make your best judgement call, but you can never mind read what someone else might do.
Yes I have digressed a little from the subject.
The options when paddling out a paddleboard change with size of wave, weather its braking or not. We don't have the SB option of duck dive everything. So you have to get inventive, always keeping safety in mind of course.
I am at the moment experimenting with a wave that is just about to break on top of you, paddle hard for speed and go to your knees and punch through it. Has been successful as long as the wave hasn't broken to much. JMTCW

Colas at 2.37 is the perfect situation for what I'm talking about. To elaborate you go down to one knee and grab the rail with one hand and hold paddle along board with other. soon as you punch through, back to your feet and dig the paddle in hard and hold too get your balance.

Select to expand quote

broadman said..
Yes. It does work a treat. Never had a problem with this, but of course not saying I never will. And Im sure as with myself you don't do it on top of or around others as suggested. In the event of finding others paddling out behind you, it is actually a safer option than just jumping of and letting the board go loose to nail who is ever behind you. I have not as yet had this go wrong but do have a limit to the size of white water before going to the jumping of option.
All your best intentions of paddling out choosing a clear way in front of you with no one behind can quickly change when someone else decides to paddle across in front of you or behind you.
I had this situation not long ago. Paddling out, a set started forming directly in front of me. A short boarder started paddling across towards me, all the time only looking out to sea. My options. I carnt just disappear. So will he stop before he gets to me, will he keep paddling across and pass me. Shall I move left or right to compensate, where is he going to stop and jack around to catch the wave. Still hasn't broken. Choice made I stay straight ahead. Sure enough he turns right in front of me. He was so focused on what he was doing he couldn't here me alerting him to , hey, Im here. Yes collision . Not bad but coped abuse for being where I was.
You can always make your best judgement call, but you can never mind read what someone else might do.
Yes I have digressed a little from the subject.
The options when paddling out a paddleboard change with size of wave, weather its braking or not. We don't have the SB option of duck dive everything. So you have to get inventive, always keeping safety in mind of course.
I am at the moment experimenting with a wave that is just about to break on top of you, paddle hard for speed and go to your knees and punch through it. Has been successful as long as the wave hasn't broken to much. JMTCW

Yes Broadman I agree with you and I also do the punch thru on knees but only on some waves (mainly if its crowded:-)