01 May 2013
Posted by mattwright
I am a relatively new paddler training for an Ultradistance/crossing. I paddle the unlimited but want to know if I should invest in a stock board to train for the downwind stuff? It seems easier to get in/out when there is swell? Secondly in the beginner training section of “Riding Bumps” is this an example of training for short races(5-6 mile) or for the 5-15 mile distances?
Dan, San Diego, CA
Answer: It is certainly easier to get in the bump on a stock board as it accelerates faster and you can get in smaller waves with the smaller board. That said, I am not sure that buying a stock board is critical or even money well spent. If you are going to race unlimited – train on your unlimited board. An unlimited board is an entirely different beast so I would prefer to see you get as much practice as you can on the unlimited.
The training program in the book is for a Battle of the Paddle race. These are SUP races that fall in the short to middle distance range of 5-15 miles. You could adapt that program to your training but you also might consider our 16 week flatwater and downwind short to middle distance prone paddle training program as the workouts are geared to the prone paddler.
Roch
