GET SITUATED: First, always keep your eyes on the horizon. Most people look at their feet when they stand-up, but that can throw you off balance. And this may seem totally obvious, but a lot of people hold their paddle facing the wrong way. Always make sure the scoop is facing away from you.
AVOID OVERPADDLING: Don鈥檛 stroke past your feet. When your elbow comes to your hip, bring the blade up out of the water. If your paddle passes your feet, you鈥檙e actually slowing yourself down.
THINK ABOUT TEMPO: I鈥檓 on the high-cadence train. The faster I paddle, the higher the turnover, and the faster I go. For me, I have to rely on my fitness and do a faster cadence, but if you鈥檙e super strong, like Dave Kalama, you can get away with a slower, stronger stroke.聽
START FAST: For races, I usually go hard at the start and then settle into a comfortable rhythm. Don鈥檛 start slow, thinking you鈥檙e going to conserve energy for later, 颅because at that point you won鈥檛 be able to play catch-up. If other racers are ahead of you, even if it鈥檚 just three board lengths, it takes so much effort to reel them in.
NERD OUT: I鈥檓 a bit of a geek when it comes to paddling鈥擨 love using a GPS watch, like the ($450). It not only tells me how far and fast I鈥檓 going, but it鈥檚 heart-rate-enabled, and I can create custom workouts.