Haven't ever tried kneeling although have seen plenty of guys doing it.
If I want a quick exit and especially if I'm rooted, will prone paddle to get out of trouble. Feel pretty vunerable though, prefer to be standing with the paddle in hand. I do miss the ability to duckdive - especially paddling up the face of a monster with the lip about to throw...ugly[}:)]
Depends I suppose, but generally start and stay on my feet.
If there is time, kneeling for the first minute or two on the way out gets your balancing right, especially if you haven't been out recently. And kneeling and prone paddling out is good just to get your breath back after being drilled / caught inside.
Coming in and getting onto the the reef at Yallingup it is easier to kneel or lie down whilst you wait for a break in the wash to get in and onto the reef around the lagoon.
im on beachies 95% of the time and when the waves are top to bottom your going to get smashed sooner or later the only way out is prone
To be honest I've had to do the 'paddle of shame' (on my knees) a few times now and I always hope no one is looking.. 
DJ
Or you can... duck dive standing up ;-)
This is part of the experiment on super short, low volume SUPs by Patrice Gu?nol? (6'3"). Cam is on the helmet, so he is fully submerged... www.gong-galaxy.com/magazine/news/how-to-real-stand-up-duck-dive/
I'm told Frank Latta use to duck dive 9 foot plus mals by walking forward to sink the nose and let the wave pass over him.
I used to paddle but went down in board size so I'm back to paddling prone . I don't kneel to often.
A mate said to me years ago:
"The best surfer in the water is the one having the most fun"
So for those learning or surfing in more difficult situations, do what you need to and care little for the impression you leave as long as you have respect for others. Unless your in a comp I really don't think many are at the beach critiquing your manner of getting through the break. And if they are care little for the impression you leave.
Said in the interest of not judging others who just want to have fun.
I've been working on paddling through an open face , letting the lip break over you and punching through the back,I've seen it done.I haven't quiet made it yet but I'm close have punched through.... but just been sucked back.
Paddle hard into the wave (on your feet) put your top hand forward , feet in surfer stance , break at the knees and turn your head to the side and rest it on your front arm and punch through the wave , if you don't rest your head on your arm the wave will push your chin into your chest (very bad for the neck)
Very possible give it a go if you are game
have punched through.... but just been sucked back.
Hey, good discussion. Coming from surf rescue backround I'm tending to kneel heading out, especially when it's big. Now I can comfortably/ reliably head out on my knees and 'pop' the board over a good few feet of white water. I lean back to take a bit of weight off the front and dig in the paddle. Just a little tip....shut your legs otherwise you tend to get one in the breadbasket. I've also found wearing booties cushions the soft upper of your feet against the deck grip. I've had to power out in some big swell of late and have no problem kneeling heading out.
just standing up- luxury. back in my day, why we had to paddle out on our tiptoes, even got it down to just the two big toes and a blindfold and a backpack of lead sinkers. tell that to young people today and they wont believe you
cheers
Just love
Just love
I try and stand as much as possible but with Sydney's beach breaks it can be pretty hard. I'll often prone paddle with my paddle blade under my chest. You can put your head down and push through the smaller white water or sit back, raise the nose up and push over the medium ones. The big ones you just have to bail but it is better to quickly stand up and dive off so you can get a bit of depth.
I never knee paddle anymore (I did a bit when I was a beginner on my 11 footer). There is too much resistance when you get hit by the white water. It's killer for your knees and tops of your feet and you can get pushed backwards which can rip your toenails out (from experience).
have punched through.... but just been sucked back.
Its interesting watching the Hawaiians at last years Noosa Fest.Standing all the time no matter what,lot of the Aussie guys would complete their wave and be straight on the knees or prone paddle with the paddle under the chest.
As you read the international judging criteria -- the ride has not finished untill the surfers have returned to the take of,points will be deducted for not negotiating broken waves standing.
Had a surf this morning at a secret location on the gold coast with a few mates and was ridiculed for paddling back out kneeling (they were really mean) . Generally where I surf, the shoreys pretty tough to get through and I find that going from wading waist high in the water to jumping on my knees and paddling is the quickest way for me to get through the shorey. Once in the gutter I stand and take on the outside bank.
have punched through.... but just been sucked back.
