Hi all
I went winging at Palm Beach NSW yesterday to make use of the Westerly winds blowing down the Hawksbury. It's quite a shallow bay so deep water can be a fair way out. I'm not that good at pumping yet so I need a bit of runway to get going. Being such an onshore wind this meant walking the board out to armpit depth and I still had to deal with the foil traveling through the seagrass until I could slog my way upwind enough to get on the foil.
I considered trying to paddle the board upside down to get out but even just walking it out upside down the nose submerged under the chop. Is paddling backwards going to be any easier? The better guys didn't have to paddle out as far because they could pump onto the foil quicker than me.
Anyone else have a better idea, apart from getting a boat? 
Sorry Eppo, I meant paddling upside down and stern first, as the flatter stern rocker wouldn't have to the tendency to dive as much as bow first upside down.
It does mean you'd have the foil mast right in your face though.
Select to expand quoteJethrow said..
Sorry Eppo, I meant paddling upside down and stern first, as the flatter stern rocker wouldn't have to the tendency to dive as much as bow first upside down.
It does mean you'd have the foil mast right in your face though.
As far as I've seen (and experienced), most paddle this way. Having the mast next to your head also means you wont get stabbed by a wing by accident.
Funny because I had similar issues, inside palmy **** tide, I just walked out to waste deep, then flipped it over and paddled out another 25m or so, I have an 85 mast.wasn't too bad, personally dont like paddling the board when it's upside down if you want to do this add some deck grip on the bottom, there are some products that add grip and are not too draggy, if you slip when the mast is near your head, might cop the mast in the face, not cool. The board rocker tries to slide you off.
Select to expand quoteJu_foil said..
Funny because I had similar issues, inside palmy **** tide, I just walked out to waste deep, then flipped it over and paddled out another 25m or so, I have an 85 mast.wasn't too bad, personally dont like paddling the board when it's upside down if you want to do this add some deck grip on the bottom, there are some products that add grip and are not too draggy, if you slip when the mast is near your head, might cop the mast in the face, not cool. The board rocker tries to slide you off.
Yup.
I dig the tail under or slide off even in calm waters, when crossing little foamies or coming it becomes a circus show that shortboarders seem to enjoy.
Maybe a few strokes of surf wax?.
I think this is an often overlooked issue. But you need to be able to paddle your board, what happens if the wind dies and you're out at lion island ect. if you can't swim it back in, good luck!
I often go out in marginal conditions, so I've had my fair share of swims from South Head back to middle harbour, can't say they're the most fun, but something you've got to deal with.
Yeh we paddle out stern first nearly every session. Especially harder on small prone boards. Tend to lean head actually into one side of the mast then counter balance it with leg into opposite side of board. Locks it in somewhat. If a bit of whitewater comes grab the mast (with head still pushed into mast) with hand (opposite side to head) to stabilise board and push through it.
if wave / white water too big bail . lol.
on my big wing board no issue paddling out that way. No need for wax.
