Forums > Stand Up Paddle General

Swimming in with a paddle

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Created by rgmacca > 9 months ago, 28 Jan 2021
rgmacca
392 posts
28 Jan 2021 12:56AM
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What's the best way to get back in when your leash snaps? had a swim and tow off a longboarder the other day, was a slog. one handed swimming not that effective, or lay on back and use the paddle. Any other ideas?
cheers.

LeeD
3939 posts
28 Jan 2021 1:40AM
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In surf, push it into the wave and swim after it. I've done it when I lost my kayak in the waves, as oodles float.

LeeD
3939 posts
28 Jan 2021 1:41AM
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In surf, push it into the wave and swim after it. I've done it when I lost my kayak in the waves, as oodles float.

kato
VIC, 3339 posts
28 Jan 2021 7:26AM
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Tie or strap the paddle to your leg using the broken leg rope

FRP
491 posts
28 Jan 2021 8:48AM
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I had a long swim a few years ago in big surf and rip. My only survival option was to float on my back and use the paddle as an oar. On your back you can see the big sets coming and prepare for impact. The paddle may have saved me. It was not much fun and remember thinking, "This is not the way I want to go out!" I beefed up my leash after that and started wearing an impact vest.

Bob

Bighugg
482 posts
28 Jan 2021 10:49AM
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If you haven't got enough leash left to tie off on paddle and your wearing boardshorts with the key loop in the pocket you can can do a snatch loop over the handle n swim
Or loosen leash cuff , put shaft through n tighten firmly.
Release and swim in hand though breaking waves

The VIP
QLD, 69 posts
28 Jan 2021 1:30PM
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I've done this a few times. Hold the paddle just below the blade and swim breaststroke using the blade like a large glove/oar.

supthecreek
2583 posts
28 Jan 2021 12:12PM
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Well, this works out pretty well.... I just made a video about this yesterday!


rgmacca
392 posts
28 Jan 2021 3:55PM
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kato said..
Tie or strap the paddle to your leg using the broken leg rope


It was a weird one, leash snapped at both ends at the same time, don't know the physics behind that one.

rgmacca
392 posts
28 Jan 2021 4:01PM
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FRP said..
I had a long swim a few years ago in big surf and rip. My only survival option was to float on my back and use the paddle as an oar. On your back you can see the big sets coming and prepare for impact. The paddle may have saved me. It was not much fun and remember thinking, "This is not the way I want to go out!" I beefed up my leash after that and started wearing an impact vest.

Bob


I tried this but was not making much progress, I guy offered me a tow in so I though he was in a better Judge of my situation that I was at the time so took up his help. I have always used best leashes I can find, but now will swap it out more often. was thinking about the impact vest but read they could be a hinderance in the surf, what's your experience with them? thanks.

rgmacca
392 posts
28 Jan 2021 4:07PM
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supthecreek said..
Well, this works out pretty well.... I just made a video about this yesterday!



Hi
love your vids and reviews I always look forward to seeing new ones. I did remember you discussing this from a thread a long while back, so I tried it and did not make great headway way, I did not preserver as was offed a tow back in. It's something I'm going to have another go at to see how it compares. it was a head high day with heavy sea and a bit of water movement, prob should of not been out on my sup(10' long board) massive strain on the leash in the close out. keep the vids coming, especially the ones with sun as it's Baltic in North Uk at min ;)
cheers,

supsean
200 posts
28 Jan 2021 11:48PM
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supthecreek said..
Well, this works out pretty well.... I just made a video about this yesterday!



Thanks Rick. Really helpful! I tried it only using the bladed side, but it seems easier to treat both sides as a blade fo the motion....

FRP
491 posts
29 Jan 2021 5:44AM
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rgmacca said..

FRP said..
I had a long swim a few years ago in big surf and rip. My only survival option was to float on my back and use the paddle as an oar. On your back you can see the big sets coming and prepare for impact. The paddle may have saved me. It was not much fun and remember thinking, "This is not the way I want to go out!" I beefed up my leash after that and started wearing an impact vest.

Bob



......was thinking about the impact vest but read they could be a hinderance in the surf, what's your experience with them? thanks.


RG

The only down side I have found to the impact vest is you can not duck quite as deep under waves. In bigger waves it provides a bit of float, protection of ribs and back and added warmth. I have a patagonia vest and Gooru vest. The patagonia is harder to get into through the arm hole but doesn't ride up. I took the thigh padding out and prefer the patagonia. I wear them under my full wetsuits.
Cheers

Bob

Gboots
NSW, 1314 posts
29 Jan 2021 10:22AM
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Great video Creek.
I ain't a good swimmer .....I wouldn't be in the surf without that huge PFD (the board ).....but sh1t happens. A few years ago snapped leash left me in trouble once and exhausted after one hour surfing . After 10 mins swimming (was probably half that) ....made no progress .... tried swimming and throwing paddle forward but current was too strong and I was too tired . Luckily I was near enough to surf club even though it was quiet ...:I humbly put my hand up in hope because no one was around me . Within a few minutes a lifesaver came out on a ski and helped me. I could hardly get on ski as was so exhausted . I can't believe he saw me. He must have been watching . Very lucky .

Next day I ran into a Bull Shark ??

gregjet
QLD, 84 posts
1 Feb 2021 5:45AM
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There is a stroke designed for one handed swimming so you can support and move an (injured etc) other swimmer. You have to learn it for lifesaving. Was called sidestroke. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidestroke.
You can quite easily hold the handle grip of your paddle and do it.

lam
VIC, 251 posts
1 Feb 2021 10:05AM
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Having had a few long swims in,I have found no matter what stroke you do you get tired so you constantly need to change your stroke. It is also important to relax and rest every now and then, and not rush as this tends to use up unnecessary energy. Remember the important thing is that you get back in, not how quickly you get in.

lam
VIC, 251 posts
1 Feb 2021 10:08AM
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Having had a few long swims in,I have found no matter what stroke you do you get tired so you constantly need to change your stroke. It is also important to relax and rest every now and then, and not rush as this tends to use up unnecessary energy. Remember the important thing is that you get back in, not how quickly you get in.

Souwester
WA, 1255 posts
1 Feb 2021 8:59AM
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Been thinking about this a bit, could a strategy be to have a length of cord kept on you somewhere in case you need to swim in.

You could then tie off your paddle and swim in with the paddle in tow?

FRP
491 posts
1 Feb 2021 11:03AM
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lam said..
Having had a few long swims in,I have found no matter what stroke you do you get tired so you constantly need to change your stroke. It is also important to relax and rest every now and then, and not rush as this tends to use up unnecessary energy. Remember the important thing is that you get back in, not how quickly you get in.


Iam this is very good advice! Thanks.

kato
VIC, 3339 posts
1 Feb 2021 5:28PM
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Souwester said..
Been thinking about this a bit, could a strategy be to have a length of cord kept on you somewhere in case you need to swim in.

You could then tie off your paddle and swim in with the paddle in tow?


Just use the leg rope strap. No rope required. You lot are making it way harder than it really is. No way could you swim in one handed where I play as there are just too many rips. The rope also allows the paddle to hit you when the wave picks it up.

supsean
200 posts
2 Feb 2021 4:40AM
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hmmmm great idea about the leash. Since ai use a waist leash, would be quite easy to slip it in there and swim. Another option which is always good.

cantSUPenough
VIC, 2122 posts
4 Feb 2021 6:52AM
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kato said..

Souwester said..
Been thinking about this a bit, could a strategy be to have a length of cord kept on you somewhere in case you need to swim in.

You could then tie off your paddle and swim in with the paddle in tow?



Just use the leg rope strap. No rope required. You lot are making it way harder than it really is. No way could you swim in one handed where I play as there are just too many rips. The rope also allows the paddle to hit you when the wave picks it up.


I don't take any precautions (like taking a rope with me) but once I had the leggie fail at the swivel right at the cuff. Makes me think about taking some thickish bungee cord in a loop around my waist on those bigger days - a loop at both ends to secure it to the paddle handle and the leggie cuff, with a small piece of velcro to tie the two ends together around my waist... It could sit under my rashie (summer) or around the outside of the wettie (same color). Some peace of mind...

In case my description is confusing:



Souwester
WA, 1255 posts
4 Feb 2021 8:19AM
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That was my thoughts CSE, if the leggy is long gone with the board you are up the creek without...or with a paddle.

You would of course need to be aware of the waves and the paddle towing behind you but being able to make it in with the paddle would be good even if it took you a while, which is another good point raised, dont panic.

I got stuck on the same bit of reef a couple of times in a big swell and freaked out a bit but then once I calmed down I slowly made my way in.

backbeach
NSW, 102 posts
5 Feb 2021 2:19PM
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I remember seeing a silastic loop that fitted to your boardies on a Blue planet sup/foil safety vid along those lines. The idea was to put the T piece through it and the paddle shaft floated next to your legs whilst the blade was past your feet.

wazza66
QLD, 607 posts
5 Feb 2021 10:22PM
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First hand experience from surfing the big swell that hit Kirra this week .... snapped my leggy this morning on the paddle out in front of the rock groin after getting cleaned up by a 6 ft plus low tide guillotine and watched my board get washed down past the Pizza hut so a long swim throwing my paddle and swimming after it in the big swell.
Just need to relax and go with the sweep and you can't really swim with the paddle in your hand. I wouldn't of wanted any type of leash so the paddle would get smacked into me after each wave breaks on you.
Da Kine leggy by the way snapped at the ankle leash section.

Timsups
43 posts
6 Feb 2021 4:34AM
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A number of years ago a company named Maui Rippers made some SUP specific board shorts (baggies) that solved this problem. They had an accessible loop that fit in a small pocket around the back of the waist. If your leash snapped and you had to swim with your paddle you put the loop over the paddle handle and the paddle was loosely secured behind your back. You could then use both arms to swim normally. I only had to use the loop once but it worked well. Definitely a good idea for SUPers... I'm surprised a few manufacturers don't have a line of baggies that incorporates the design into their product..

lam
VIC, 251 posts
6 Feb 2021 6:33PM
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Timsups said..
A number of years ago a company named Maui Rippers made some SUP specific board shorts (baggies) that solved this problem. They had an accessible loop that fit in a small pocket around the back of the waist. If your leash snapped and you had to swim with your paddle you put the loop over the paddle handle and the paddle was loosely secured behind your back. You could then use both arms to swim normally. I only had to use the loop once but it worked well. Definitely a good idea for SUPers... I'm surprised a few manufacturers don't have a line of baggies that incorporates the design into their product..


Most pairs of boardies have a loop for your keys, you can probably stretch that over handle of paddle.

Timsups
43 posts
6 Feb 2021 11:10PM
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Here a few pics of the baggies I was talking about. I think you will find having the loop up at your waist around towards the back is much better that down on your leg around the front. You can swim on your stomach and the paddle is completely out of the way. Good design!!






Daveb27
59 posts
7 Feb 2021 12:12AM
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supthecreek said..
Well, this works out pretty well.... I just made a video about this yesterday!



Great tip, from your previous videos, I'm guessing there were no men in grey suits about, looking for some vintage SUP biltong?

petedorries
QLD, 700 posts
17 Mar 2021 10:00AM
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Do freestyle. Paddle is down back and under one foot.
Like everything you need to practice but fast, efficient and easy.

micksmith
VIC, 1674 posts
17 Mar 2021 1:08PM
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petedorries said..
Do freestyle. Paddle is down back and under one foot.
Like everything you need to practice but fast, efficient and easy.


Can you give a little more description coz I just don't understand how the paddle wouldn't float away.
Personally I prefer the paddle handle in the loop of key holder which is in both my boardies and wetsuit ( conveniently on calf area )



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"Swimming in with a paddle" started by rgmacca