====== Setup ====== photo: [[https://www.huki.com/index.php?page=Innovations#prettyPhoto[Padding]/0/|huki website]] {{:equipment:padding2.jpg?direct&400x302|padding2.jpg}} **Seat Padding (may still need a slicker surface to allow easier rotation)** ---- ===== Surfski Setup ===== ==== New Boat Basic Setup ==== * [[https://youtu.be/130dOQvHuWU|Epic Initial Setup Video]] * ==== Pads ==== Many paddlers tape pads into their ski's buckets. A pad can help create a better angle and therefore more leverage at the catch, as well as provide comfort and/or a more snug fit which can increase boat control. Paddle2Fitness [[https://paddle2fitness.com.au/40-seat-pads/|seat pads for efficiency]]. See also [[:modifications#padding|Padding in Equipment Adjustment]] (padding for fit and comfort) ==== Setting Foot Pedals/Braces ==== (bottom fixed part is brace, top moving part for steering is pedal) **Distance to Pedals** * You may set your foot braces for different conditions. In big waves, you might want to set your braces long so you can get your weight lower in the ski for added stability. In flatwater, you may like to shorten your braces so you can exert more torque. * Correct Foot Location [[https://www.facebook.com/reel/954294289759731|facebook reel]] (Humor) \\ **Correct Pedal Angle** * [[https://fb.watch/pOQvmXvL2t/|Oscar Chalupsky Video]] * … ---- **Pedal Distance** {{ youtube>FCIIIRKRO68 }} ---- ===== Paddle Setup ===== ==== Hand Position/Grip/Setup ==== \\ ---- **Hand Position - **Hayley Nixon {{youtube>GLZUUV28kBU}} This is the traditional method for beginners. Watch the paddle length and grip width setup video below for more information. ---- * **Tape** - tape wraps on paddles tend to be quite personal in style, material and location. Experience will guide you toward what works best for you. But tape can make paddling more comfortable, give better grip and feel, cause less skin abrasion, and can provide a guide (the edge of a wrap, or a built up bump) for your correct hand locations. This is a good one to talk to other paddlers about - see what they do - try it - and see if you like their method or not. If you decide you need a big change in hand position, you may want to move your tape and hand position gradually to give your body time to adjust. * [[:paddle_tape_8_2020|Tape Discussion 8/8/2020]] * [[:grip_tape|Grip and Tape Discussion 1/15/2021]] * [[:paddle_grips_2022|Grip Tape/Alternatives Discussion 6/26/2022]] * [[https://youtu.be/IcrckLN15rs|Dawid Mocke video on Paddle Grips]] 2025 * **Wax** * [[:paddle_wax_11_15_2025|Paddle Wax 11/15/2025]] (Surfski Kayak facebook group - new Boyan Z. wax product & discussion about wax, grip, etc.) * … ---- **Setting Up Your Hand Grip** - Nicholas Cryder {{youtube>EZVF3pMReuc?start=56}} ---- ---- Example Tape Photo - Click to enlarge {{ :equipment:paddletape.jpeg?direct&121x161 |Paddle Tape for Hand Position}} ---- ==== Length ==== In general, paddle length depends on torso length when sitting in your boat. At the catch, with the blade fully submerged, you want your upper hand at about forehead height (this assumes your recovery (upper) hand goes that high with your stroke (older paddlers and paddlers with shoulder problems often have flatter strokes) - if not you can rotate your paddle shaft somewhat more vertically just for this test to see where you top hand would be). Get a friend to watch you and help you adjust your length. Or better, watch the video immediately below for a detailed description of how and why for paddle length setup. Paddle2Fitness [[https://paddle2fitness.com.au/03-paddle-length/|Podcast on Paddle Length]] **Stress Reduction** There are a **[[:paddles#reducing_stress_tendinitis|number of factors]]** that can affect the amount of stress that your stroke will cause on joints, tendons, ligaments, and muscles. Length can be one factor along with, blade style, blade size, and shaft stiffness. After you follow general guidelines on paddle length and start to put in more distance and/or more sprints in your paddles you may want to consider varying your paddle length either for prevention or cure of any potential or developing repetitive stress problems. **Dynamic Length Changes** Once you get some miles under your belt and you're a dedicated downwind paddler, you can consider if you want to try Oscar Chalupsky's practice of [[https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=474167230166526|changing paddle length (facebook video)]], [[https://youtu.be/nBkkp8N69Ic|youtube ]]video during outings. Our impression is that this is not a widespread practice, or at least not talked about that frequently. Read this [[https://surfski.info/forum/2-announcements/20575-do-you-change-your-paddle-length-for-upwind-and-for-downwind.html|surfski.info thread]] concerning some considerations for this practice. ---- **Setting Paddle Length and Grip Width** {{youtube>xGyX3AcGRBc}} ---- ==== Feather ==== - the angle paddle blades are offset from each other. The number of degrees to which you set your feather is personal. The traditional standard has been 60 degree feather. Oscar Chalupsky has been an advocate of starting paddlers at 0 feather for some time. The advantages of no feathering include making it easier to brace on both sides, and possibly reducing strain on your wrists (some report the opposite to be true). One disadvantage of no feather is wind resistance on the blade going up-wind (folks who mostly do one way downwinders may not care much, but folks who often do laps in robust wind may). Zero feather has been growing in popularity, particularly for paddlers who have improved wrist, forearm, elbow problems after adopting zero feather. And many paddlers who are more interested in enjoying downwinding rather than racing have also adopted 0 feather. Your results may vary, so you will have to figure out which you prefer ("full feather" 60° or more ??, no feather, or something in between). It appears that paddlers who have a more vertical stroke (i.e. almost all sprint kayakers are in this group), rotate their paddles naturally somewhat more and may benefit from some feather otherwise they may need to manually rotate their blades with their wrists (see [[https://youtu.be/1p7EW04RKAk|Sam Milne Video on Setting Feather]]). **Opinions and Advice on Feather/Reduced Feather/No Feather** * [[https://www.facebook.com/groups/395803743862021/permalink/6731646330277699/|Another Long Feather Discussion]] 2024 Surfski Kayak Facebook Group * [[https://www.epickayaks.com/post/choosing-the-right-paddle-angle-for-surfski-paddlers-the-shift-to-a-lower-feather|Epic Kayaks Feather Article 2023]] * Nicholas Cryder's [[:cryder_feather|Take on Zero Feather]] 1/07/2021 * [[https://paddlingmag.com/stories/columns/rock-the-boat/the-final-answer-on-feathered-vs-unfeathered-kayak-paddles/|Non-surfskier's take on feather angle to avoid injury]] some of this analysis might apply for surfskiers 2019 (Paddle Magazine) * [[https://www.surfski.info/forum/18-training/19159-chalupsky-s-paddling-technique.html#30924|Long Surfski.info Discussion of Chalupsky Technique ]]2018 (Recommendations including Zero Feather) * [[https://www.surfski.info/latest-news/story/1647/to-feather-or-not-to-feather.html|To Feather or not to Feather]] 03/2018 Rob Mousley * [[:zero_feather_2017|Whatcom Paddlers Discussion on Zero Feather 2017]] * [[https://www.surfski.info/latest-news/story/1270/what-feather-angle-do-you-use-greg-barton-on-wing-paddles.html|Surfski.info and Greg Barton on Feather 2011]] * [[https://youtu.be/OLT0l2qf3AQ?t=792|Oscar Video on Feather]] **Videos on Setting Feather** * [[https://youtu.be/fYbfjR6TOcg|Jamo Porter]] setting your blade angle based on your blade entry at your catch (want the blade square there) * [[https://youtu.be/1p7EW04RKAk|Sam Milne]] * … ==== Torque Balancing ==== * **Ivan Lawler's Torque Balancer 2023 **this is brand new and the jury is still out on this. * See [[:paddles#torque_reduction|Paddles Torque Reduction]] * … ---- {{youtube>CoCBPVv9TnU?medium}} ---- ===== More Setup Resources ===== * [[https://www.paddler.nz/resources-1|New Zealand Paddler Setup Videos]] scroll down to bottom of this page to see videos on setup