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In this series Peter Kosinski, Starboard Team Rider, will be talking you through what it takes to be a top SUP racer! Buoy turns, sprinting techniques, paddle grips, training ideas & racing tactics… Peter will explain them all and show you himself how they’re done. So whether you’re a first time racer or already a die hard racer, Peter’s tips will definitely help you to be fast and get to the front of that racing pack! (But sorry he can’t always guarantee you a first over the line!)
“When SUPboarder asked me to create a number of feature articles all about the essential skills for SUP racing I had to step back a bit and look at how I race and how others race. Every single SUP racer has a slightly different technique when it comes to everything from sprinting to buoy turns. However the common denominator is getting around the course as fast as possible!” – Peter Kosinski.
Buoy Turns
Getting around a buoy quickly is just as important as being able to go in a straight line fast, when racing! But before you start thinking about doing a buoy turn you need to first find your preferred stance. Are you a ‘Goofy'( right foot forward) or ‘Regular’ ( left foot forward)? What feels more comfortable and stable?
Once you have figured that out you can start thinking about your buoy turns. There are a number of ways to get your board around a buoy but the key to all buoy turns is keeping speed through the turn and being quick on your feet. This video shows Kai Lenny doing some really nice buoy turns.
The Backside Stepback Turn
In this feature I will be talking you through the backside step back turn, and offering afew tips. The backside stepback turn is everyone’s weak side of racing and it needs to be practised a lot to perfect the turn.
So how do you do it? The backside stepback turn has the same setup as the frontside turn but you need to get a lot lower stance as you enter the turn. You can be thrown off balance a lot easier. As you cross step back, place the paddle behind your back and start your stroke. When you finish your turn just reload your stroke and step back in to your normal parallel stance.
There are many variations of this turn. The main variation is taking a bow stroke on your frontside then taking a stroke on your backside behind your back.
Top Tips
- Speed into the turn
- The cross step
- Reverse bow turn
- Come out of the turn and reload for a good stroke
- Try and play around with some variations
So, all that’s left to do now is grab your board and give the backside stepback turn a go! Next time I’ll be talking you through sprinting techniques.
To read Peter’s first article all about the frontside stepback turn click here.
