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slsurf said..
That was my dream initially to be able to paddle a small board really fast
You can, but do it in fencing position (shoulder facing forward).
You will be super-efficient in frontside AND backside (something too had with a pure surfing position).
Losing the versatility of switching paddling sides during takeoff to adapt to the wave is too big a drawback for me in fickle beachbreaks.
In his case, with his heavy late drops, I guess he does not want even the small position change at the end of the takeoff between fencing and surfing stance.