Question… i raced this weekend gone on a inflatable sup. 43km. the only issue I’m having is in pools of water with head winds. I am bending knees and smaller strokes keeping nose down but it doesn’t feel I’m going fast and dragging. Have played around with strokes etc but nothing. Any ideas or anyone who may be able to give me things to try to see if i can improve.
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Wish you luck, because 43 km into a headwind is “thirsty-work.” Tough it out, stay low, and have some “cool ones” at the end of the race!
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You could try moving towards the front of the board as suggested by Starboard. I also drop to my knees and choke up on the paddle, although knee paddling isn’t allowed in some races… or it’s only allowed for a few strokes if you’ve fallen off.
I agree with Jyak. 43 km! Thirsty work, indeed.
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I’m not sure I could stand that long.
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Thanks guys yes tried moving to front and playing around in different positions. I dont do the knees thing as its against rules only in some rapids spots did i knee to rest the feet but back up again. Sounds like i just neex to play around with stroke and my body position
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Does it have to be an Isup? Inflatable SUP would be my last choice for anything to race over distance in wind. If you are into racing Infinity in Orange County makes some fantastic racing SUPs, easy to find a few used on the west coast.
Yes due to river and rocky rapids it cant be hardbody as they damage quite easily. The guys on these ended up with some major holes. I did come third overall but felt sluggish and not right so trying to figure out different techniques
Headwinds are the nemesis of every kind of inflatable paddle craft; be it SUP, IK, canoe or packraft I don’t race(too old now)but I do use a seat and a kayak paddle in place of sup paddle. And although I’m competent in rapids above Class II when using either canoe/kayak, with an ISUP, Cl. 2+ and up is above my pay grade. Throw in wind and FUHGETABOUTI!
Stepping down on to a collapsible foam seat and plopping my butt works just fine against headwinds though…But raising sail and tacking and genuflecting helps too!
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I did 36 miles once, just once on the Schuylkill river and in a kayak and it damn near killed me.
I was running down stream, so I had that going for me. but still 9 hours of constant paddling and the portages they all wanted to end me.
I give you kudos to 43km on a sup. that’s some hard work.
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No inflatables are good in the wind. Get on the water early and plan to stop early if the winds come up.