SUP Skills: Mastering Foot Placement & Stances

episode 2 | watch episode 3 here

Hey, it's Kimberly Kenyon here, standup paddleboarder, certified instructor, and AQ Outdoors ambassador. Welcome back to episode two of our Basic and Intermediate SUP Skills Series. In this episode, we're focusing on foot placement and paddling stances. Understanding and mastering these stances is essential for anyone looking to improve their stability and performance on the water.

Foot Stances: The Basics

We're going to dive into the three main foot stances: standard (square neutral), staggered, and surf stance. Each of these stances offers unique benefits and is suited for different situations on the water.

Square Stance

First up is the square stance. In this stance, your feet are positioned about shoulder-width apart and in-line with each other, providing you with a solid and balanced foundation. This stance is ideal for lateral stability, making it a great choice for beginners or when you're in calm waters. By keeping your feet at shoulder-width, you maintain an even distribution of weight, which helps you stay upright and balanced.

Stagered Stance

Next, we have the staggered stance. This stance involves placing one foot slightly in front of the other, which enhances your stability both from nose to tail and laterally. The staggered stance is particularly useful in situations where you need to maintain stability while moving forward or backward. By shifting your weight between your front and back foot, you can easily adjust to changes in the water's flow and maintain control of your board.

Surf Stance

Lastly, we have the surf stance. To achieve this stance, you step one foot towards the center and the other foot back, similar to the stance used by surfers. This positioning offers excellent stability from nose to tail, allowing you to navigate through waves and rough waters with ease. The surf stance is perfect for those looking to tackle more dynamic and challenging conditions, as it provides the flexibility and balance needed to react quickly to changing situations.

Thanks For Tuning In

Stay tuned for more tips and tricks to help you become a better paddler. Thanks for tuning in!

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