Mastering Paddleboard Turns: A Step-by-Step Guide
Hello everybody! I am going to go over the 4 different ways to turn your standup paddleboard progressing from the easiest to most challenging. There’s no right or wrong way to turn your board, but there are certainly ways that are more effective in different scenarios. Let’s go over them now with some step by step instructions. (Or as well as I can do via blog post. Accompanying video links included.)
1. Backstroke Turn: Standard Turn
The backstroke turn is the most first technique every paddleboarder must learn. It’s the easiest way to change directions on your board. It’s not the fastest, but it gets the job done. Never send someone out on a paddleboard without this showing them this essential skill. Here’s how to do it:
- To stop forward momentum and turn the board, simply reach behind you with your paddle and place the paddle in the water nice and deep and take a stroke in the opposite direction that you have been. From the back to the front. A Backstroke.
- Paddle backward on the side of the board that you want to turn toward. A leftside backstroke turn will turn the board left and a right side backstroke turn will turn the board right.
- Following the backstroke, complete the turn by paddling with a forward stroke on the opposite side of the board.
Here are some key tips for the backstroke turn:
- Paddle Deep: Make sure to dig your paddle in deep and pull hard during the backstroke. Avoid shallow strokes; they won’t offer enough power for the turn.
- Limit Backstrokes: Stick to one or two backstrokes. If you do too many, your board may gain backward momentum, which counteracts your intended turn since boards are designed to track forward.
- Steering Stroke Variation: Incorporate a steering stroke by making your paddling arcs wider, which helps turn the board more efficiently. Pull from close to the board and push away as you complete the forward stroke making a semi circle around you body with the paddle.
2. Crossbow Turn: A More Efficient Technique
Once you’re comfortable with the backstroke turn, the crossbow turn is the next step. This technique allows you to turn more efficiently without changing hands on your paddle. Here’s how to perform it:
- While paddling forward, instead of moving your hands to change your paddling side in order to do a backstroke on the opposite side, keep the paddle in your paddling side hands and while you reach across the nose or bow of your board and perform a backstroke with the paddle in front of your body on the opposite side of the board.
- Complete the maneuver with a forward stroke on the paddling side. You are essentially doing a backstroke to forward stroke, but your paddle never changes hands, making it much more efficient of a turn.
This strategy is useful for making larger steering corrections, typically effective for turns between 15 to 90 degrees. For sharper turns, you may find yourself needing to do this crossbow stroke combo a few times in order to get the board all the way around, or revert back to the backstroke turn.
3. Pivot or Buoy Turn: The sharpest way to turn
Folk often say this is the fastest way to turn your board, but I disagree. It’s only the fastest if you are really good at it, which is a skill that takes loads of practice. The fastest turn is the turn where you stay dry and confident throughout the maneuver.
Now for the sharpest way to turn your board—90 to 360 degrees— learn the pivot turn (also known as the buoy turn or step-back).
Here’s what you need to know:
- Foot Movement: This turn requires you to be comfortable moving your feet. Practice sliding your front foot back while keeping your paddle braced in the water. Your feet should align along the centerline of the board. See my blog on footwork here.
- Weight Distribution: Make sure to keep the weight along the centerline of the board for stability throughout. For the turn, shift as much of your your weight onto your back foot as you can. The more weight you place in your back leg, the higher the nose of your board will rise out of the water, the quicker the board will turn.
- Paddle Position: Continue paddling with deep, semi-circular strokes that arc away from your board. A stable paddle position aids in maintaining balance. Keep the paddle in the water. Stay Wide and Low with your feet and your paddle.
- Distance Back: Having your back foot directly over the fin is the best placement for a pivot turn. Avoid moving too far back on the board and losing stability. Maintain a “Wide and Low” stance with your legs. The further back you move on the board, the less stable. Being 2/3 of the way back still allows for effective turning when you combine it with powerful turn strokes.
4. Frontside vs. Backside Turns
Understanding the difference between frontside and backside turns will enhance your paddling versatility:
- Frontside Turn: More stable because your paddle remains in front of you as you turn in the opposite direction to your dominant foot. The foot you feel more comfortable stepping back with is your dominant foot.
- Backside Turn: This turn is slightly more challenging, as it requires you to rotate your body and paddle behind you. Utilizing a crossbow maneuver during a backside turn makes it more manageable.
Final Thoughts and Practice
The more you practice these techniques, especially in a safe, fun, and relaxed environment, the better you’ll become. Warm weather days are perfect for jumping in and getting wet without worry. Embrace the learning curve, and don’t hesitate to fall in—it’s all part of the process!
Additionally, use buoy markers to practice turning while paddling. Understanding how to maneuver your board effectively not only increases your skill level but also ensures safety during your paddling adventures.
For more paddling training tips, programs, and videos, download my Seychelle SUP Training App – Join the Paddle Faster Program for al little as $7 a month and gain access to ALL of my Drill and Skill Video Series.