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How to knee paddle on a longboard

Knee paddling: one of the most popular paddling techniques used by longboarders | Photo: Naliboff/Creative Commons

It's a matter of preference and a great way to put different body muscles at work. Longboard surfers love knee-paddling. Here's how to do it right.

Paddling a surfboard while lying on your stomach is by far the most popular form of moving around in the surf.

However, it is not the sole option.

Knee paddling is a quite common technique among the longboard surfing community, especially if the board is not too narrow.

Although it requires a little more balance, it is quite easy and comes with quite a few interesting advantages.

One of them is that a kneeling position is many times better for taking off in a wave due to the faster starts achieved.

"Because knee-paddling is more effective on a long, stable, buoyant surfboard, it was virtually forgotten after the late-1960s shortboard revolution when the average board length dropped from 10 feet to less than seven feet," underlines surf historian Matt Warshaw, author of "The Encyclopedia of Surfing" and "Photo/Stoner."

"The 1980s-launched longboard resurgence brought a return to knee paddling."

Knee paddling: the most common paddling technique until de late 1960s | Photo: Ron Stone/Photo/Stoner

Knee-Paddling 101

Boards that are wider and thicker tend to offer more balance and floatation, so knee paddling works best on long, stable boards with plenty of volume.

Before trying it, make sure you're comfortable with prone paddling.

Once you know how your board behaves on the water, you can experiment with shifting your body position to your knees.

Let's break it down.

  1. Lower yourself onto the board by placing your knees beneath your hips. Spread them apart to create a stable base;
  2. Sit low on your board, resting on your heels. This position helps maintain balance while keeping your center of gravity low.
  3. Angle your hands so they dig deep into the water. Push your arms in a steady, simultaneous motion.
  4. As you paddle, lean forward to drive the board and then rock back to gain a smooth, powerful stroke.
  5. Keep a consistent rhythm. It will not only move you forward efficiently but also help you adjust your balance as the board shifts;
  6. Shift your weight forward to speed up or lean back slightly to avoid the board's nose diving (a problem also known as "pearling");
  7. Start on smaller, cleaner waves where you have time to feel how the board responds. With practice, you'll be able to make quick adjustments when the conditions change.

Over time, repeated knee-paddling can cause discomfort. Wearing padded knee guards or wetsuit knee pads can help reduce soreness.

On Your Knees: Pros and Cons

An experienced rider feels comfortable either prone or kneeling and can actually change from one to the other without missing a stroke in a fluid, continuous movement.

Nevertheless, knee paddling is not the perfect answer for log-riding enthusiasts. As with everything, it comes with pros and cons.

Here are the most relevant advantages and disadvantages of this technique:

Pros

  • Different Muscle Use: This technique uses muscles in your core and legs, giving your arms a break and reducing overall fatigue.
  • Enhanced Visibility: Sitting up on your knees gives you a better view of incoming waves, allowing for better set selection.
  • Warmth in Cold Water: With less body surface area in contact with the water, knee paddling can keep you slightly warmer.
  • Versatile Positioning: It provides a good alternative for moments when prone paddling becomes tiring or when you need to adjust your balance quickly.

Cons

  • Knee Strain: The repeated pressure on your knees can lead to soreness and even the development of "surfer's knots" (calcium deposits).
  • Slower Paddling: Knee paddling is generally a bit slower than paddling prone because it requires more effort and precise balance.
  • Learning Curve: Achieving a smooth, effective knee-paddle stroke takes practice and a good sense of balance, especially on a board that isn't ideally designed for it.
  • Board Limitations: Not every longboard is well-suited for knee paddling. Boards need to have enough width, thickness, and volume to provide the stability needed for this technique.


Words by Luís MP | Founder of SurferToday.com



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