Here are a few key takeaways for the stance required to maximise the benefit of height management :
PADDLER 19
Below : Davide dropping to both knees on the Tara River , Montengro . Photo : Jim Miller
Here are a few key takeaways for the stance required to maximise the benefit of height management :
SIDE BY SIDE
It can be a bit trickier to lower your centre of gravity as far as possible in this stance as the width of the board limits you you are on as to what is your optimal width to stand on – on top of that , it means you go through a wave , both your legs hit the water at the same time / the board balance impacts on your feet at the same time – this means you naturally move your weight onto your heels or toes at the same time as well and as such are slightly more likely to fall off . But it has a huge upside : you can swap sides and crossdeck paddle much easier if in a side-by-side stance .
SHOULDERS WIDTH SURFING STANCE
This is the normal stance for white water paddle boarders and allows you to place your feet at a width that feels natural to you – generally around shoulder width or marginally wider . Another benefit is the ability to rotate your hip and utilise your core to paddle and stand up from one knee a little easier . But one of the huge benefits to this is the fact that when the water hits your legs , it hits them one at a time or impacts your balance one foot at a time , allowing you time to compensate with the other one or possibly lower your centre of gravity to assist as well . As such , this is the stance that we benefit most from regarding height management and is why most people opt for this as their go-to stance for moving water .
REALLY WIDE SURFING STANCE
This is initially the most stable platform but comes with a downside as well – once you are fully stretched out in your legs in some crazy wide stance , it is very hard to lower your centre of gravity any further ( unlike the previous stance ) as such while initially stable it reduces your ability to counteract what the water does to the SUP and your balance point – so who you lose your balance you are more likely to swim . A big plus is subconsciously ; it makes you feel more stable and gives people the confidence to try bigger rapids .
SO , WHAT SHOULD YOU DO / LEARN FROM THIS ?
If you ’ re interested in height management , play around with the three stances above and go paddle a rapid / get someone to give you a gentle push to see what happens to your balance in all three stances ( make sure a mat or soft landing is below ). By doing this , you will find out where your optimal stance is to maximise the ability to lower your centre of gravity to assist your balance .
PADDLER 19