10 SUP Techniques You Can Do Right Now To Be A Better SUP Racer! written by Maggie Adams

1. Basic arm position: Arms should be in an A frame or triangle position. Both your top arm & your bottom arms should be straight. 
2. Basic hand position: Align your top hand over your bottom hand & stack your shoulders. Weight goes on paddle.
3. Legs should be slightly bent &  neutral back. Lean forward & keep hips behind chest.
4. Fully submerge or plant your blade into the water. 
5. Hinge at the hips. 
6. Hip drive: When you plant your paddle drop your hips to the opposite side of your board. 
7. Maintain a vertical shaft at the beginning and end of each stroke.
8. Generate speed on your board by moving your bottom hand down & getting closer to the water. This can be done for short distances or at the beginning of races. 
9. Where are you standing on your board? Standing too far forward or back on your board can affect how your board moves through the water.  
10.  Feather your paddle out near your feet. The blade should exit just a few inches above the water, and parallel to your board.

Tips: Keep your gaze forward-focus on a buoy or another racer you want to pass.  Relax your grip.

Maggie Adams is owner and operator of Blue Paddle SUP.  She trains weekly with Anthony Vela at  Performance Paddling. She races and coaches beginner to intermediate paddlers. She has taken clinics with Dave Kalama through PaddleFitPro and Danny Ching at 404 SUP