Some info in this thread I think is a bit inaccurate.
- Somewhere it was mentioned there's a right way and a wrong way to have your lower back or lay your chest on the board or don't. That just doesn't make sense. Wave type, winds, crowds - all of these can influence your paddling technique. I don't have just one technique, I use different techniques and positions on the board in different situations.
- Someone is mentioning volume. It's just a number, a reference point. I'm riding a board that's 23.3 L right now, normally I ride something very close to 24. In the correct conditions for the board the 23.3L board catches waves better than any other higher volumed performance board I have.
- Low entry rockers aren't the only kind of rocker that can have volume forward.
- If I'm not mistaken the Fred Rubble lends itself toward front footed surfing(?)
- a good rocker for paddling in one situation is a terrible rocker for paddling in other situations
Then, I think we should get some accurate information before the forum evaporates. So I said a few posts back that I have trained myself to arch the mid back rather than my lower back and that I like to keep some tension in my stomach muscles, so that my belly is not directly resting on the deck. This was my own derived response to a massage therapist who told me that I was "hyper extending" my lower back. If you think this is wrong don't hesitate to say, I am fine with disagreement, particularly after participating in the "myths about lower back pain thread". I also don't claim ownership of the truth and acknowledge that we are all built with our individual imperfections and techniques, so what applies to one person may not be applicable to another.
I gave 2 types of paddling where this personal technique of mine applies - paddling at cruising speed and also that explosive surge for a wave situation. Since writing my previous post I have self observed my sprint paddling posture - I do maintain the same technique for lower back/stomach, but the difference is there I have less mid back arch - my head is therefore closer to the board when sprint paddling - say when trying beat an incoming set on the paddle out.
So that is three paddling techniques. I have one more 4th paddling technique that I am aware of. Actually not so much paddling as wave catching. This one is the exception to the 3 previous ones I mentioned - it breaks my personal belly off the deck rule. It is a white water takeoff technique the sort where I go ahead with a takeoff where the wave is breaking, sometimes angled where I hope to belly board it to the shoulder or more straight in with the hope that the wave is going to back off. In these situations the pop to the feet is delayed and I first get myself into the "cobra" yoga position - lower back arched and belly on the deck, then I spring to my feet. I do not consider this erroneous, because I am using my arms to push myself up into the arched position and not hyper extending my lower back muscles. However, if you think this whitewater technique of mine is wrong, let us know.
Tell us what your techniques are and also explain what design features make your 23.3L board catch waves better than your 24L
TLDR - there isn't one. I have difficulty with short posts. However I do have a PS
PS I do planking exercises to protect the lower back. Side planks as well as front planks - some which also work the adductors, and some that do the abductors as well as sartorius flexor - I needed to toughen them up because I have taken up skimboarding and the run and drop was giving those muscles grief. I believe that a strong core helps transfer paddling power to the board more efficiently than a weak core. However, I am not sure if anyone should listen to me because I am not a strong paddler.