How to Improve Stand Up Paddleboarding Strokes Using High-Quality SUPs from Maui SUP Rentals! Call 808-353-6621 to Schedule a FREE DELIVERY and PICK UP Appointment in West Maui.

Front Office
Feb 20, 2024
4 min read

Improve Stand Up Paddleboarding Techniques Using High-Quality SUPS from Maui SUP Rentals - Affordable, Reliable, and Convenient Top Stand Up Paddleboard Brands on the Market Today. We also do FREE DELIVERY & PICK UP in West Maui. Local SUP Rental Shop near Ka'anapali, Wailea, Makena, Napili Bay, Maliko Run, Olowalu. Call: 808-353-6621 — Maui SUP Rentals is a Top-Rated TripAdvisor Local Stand-Up Paddleboard Rental Shop in Lahaina and offers every Top Brands on the Market Today! We also do FREE DELIVERY & PICK UP in West Maui. Call: 808-353-6621

Stand up paddleboarding in Maui is a once in a lifetime experience! Out in the waves, you are fully surrounded by nature — the wind, the sun, and the smells of salt water. It's easy to get lost in this beautiful setting while riding a wave toward shore. Now that you've rented a SUP at Maui SUP Rentals and learn how to propel it, let us give you some proper instruction on how to use it.

Let’s start with the proper paddle grip. The blade of the paddle is a bit counterintuitive for most first-timers.

Rookies tend to assume that the angled part of the blade should face the paddler so that they are better able to “scoop” the water. In actuality, you want the angled portion (where the logo is) to face towards the front of the board. Because the blade is offset by about 10 degrees, the paddler is able to perform more paddle strokes per side without switching sides. This is important because every time you switch sides, your forward motion slows.

Maui SUP Rentals - Island's Best Rental Rate Options. Blog Post: Improve Stand Up Paddleboarding Techniques Using High-Quality SUPS. Top SUP Brands on the Market Today! We also do FREE DELIVERY & PICK UP in West Maui. Authorized Dealer of Naish, SurfTech, and Blue Planet. Affordable, Reliable, and Convenient Local Stand Up Paddleboard Rentals Shop near Lahaina, Ka'anapali, Wailea, Makena, Napili Bay, Maliko Run, Olowalu. Call: 808-353-6621

To grip the paddle, start with your right hand lightly on the t-grip at the top of the shaft. Place your left hand on the shaft so that both arms form an “A” on the paddle shaft. In other words, your arms should form 90-degree angles on the shaft. This will be your hand position for paddling on the left side of the body and you will switch the hand positions when it’s time to paddle on the right side.

When it comes to SUPing in Maui, there are some general tips that everyone should keep in mind. First off, be aware of the local rules and regulations. The ocean can be unpredictable and it is very important to keep yourself and others safe.

We’re going to break the SUP paddle stroke into five distinct phases.

Phase one starts with the “reach”. You will want to have your knees slightly bent and your upper body in an “athletic posture” as you begin your stroke. The reach is the extension of the paddle at the start of the stroke in front of the paddler’s feet. Picture “throwing” the blade out in front of your feet as far as you can without losing the grip of your lower hand or throwing your balance off.

Keep your back straight and bend your stroke-side knee slightly to maximize extension before placing it in the water. You will also want to keep your paddle blade as close to your board as possible. The next phase of the SUP stroke is known as “The Catch”.

This is the portion of the stroke where the paddle meets the water. At this point, you will fully submerge the blade in the water so that it is aligned perpendicularly to the rail of your SUP for maximum resistance on the blade. The key here is a smooth insert. Focus on making little to no splash, as water displaced above the surface means less resistance and drive going into the next phase.

Phase 3: “The Drive”.

The Drive is also known as “The Power Phase” of the SUP stroke. A common mistake in this phase is “arm paddling”. If you just rely on your arms to propel you, you are going to tire very quickly and not generate much power. The trick here is to keep your lower arm straight and the paddle shaft vertical. Focus on pulling your body forward to the blade rather than the alternative of pulling the blade towards your body. You will want to pull as steadily as possible in this phase so as not to sacrifice power and loading as much bodyweight as possible onto the paddle at this phase is critical. You will end this phase when the blade is at your feet.

Phase Four is known as “The Release”. During this phase, the blade exits the water. To execute a proper release, you will want to exit the blade from the water slightly behind your feet to avoid deceleration between strokes. In order for the blade to exit the water efficiently, lift the paddle by dropping your upper hand down and inward as opposed to pulling your lower hand up and back.

You can give yourself a little bit of a push as the blade exits the water. It’s important that the blade not be too far behind your feet or the paddle angle will cause deceleration. The fifth and last phase is called “The Recovery”. Time to give your muscles a very brief reprieve. The recovery phase is the transition between one stroke and the next.

Once the blade is released, twist your wrists inward with the thumb of your lower hand rotating back to turn the shaft 90 degrees, and feather the blade for a smoother, faster recovery. Picture how crew rowers feather their blades upwards between strokes to limit wind resistance. You will find this especially helpful when you take your SUP out in windy conditions. A smooth recovery sets up your next stroke so focus on your technique.

One technique is to finish the stroke just before changing hands and to attack the next stroke just after. Avoid crossing your hands because they tend to become tangled with your paddle. The hand that is highest needs to slip under the lower hand that is still holding the paddle. This will allow the lower hand to slide along the handle without losing contact with it.