How to paddle board in a straight line
1. Keep your paddle shaft vertical
Keep your paddle shaft vertical during the power phase of the stoke.
If you paddle with your paddle at angle your board will start to turn. In fact that is a good way to turn a paddle board. Get low and move your paddle blade out away from your board. Now paddle at that angle to urn your board.
2. Look through the A frame
In order to keep your paddle shaft vertical your top hand must go just over the edge (rail) of the paddle board. The paddle shaft and your top are will form the capital letter “A”. You should be looking through that “A” as you paddle. This will ensure your paddle shaft is vertical.
3. Angle your stroke from outside-in
The J-Stroke
Plant your paddle blade a few inches from the edge of the board and pull the paddle closer to the board. Angle your stroke toward the board. This is a subtle move at the start of the stoke and is called a J-stroke.
Pull the blade slightly inward then let it run and exit close to the board. The slight inward angle at the beginning helps keep your board moving in a straight line.
Angle the blade to slightly facing you
Keep your paddle blade angled slightly to face you as you pull the paddle toward your feet. This will help keep the board going straight. If you angle your blade away from you your board will slowly start to turn.
4. Run and exit the paddle close to the board
You want to angle the stroke inward at the beginning. But be sure to end the stroke with the paddle blade close to the board.
You want to run the blade close to the edge of your board. But don’t touch or rub the edge with your paddle. Avoid scratching the rails of your board with your paddle stroke.
