Thanks for sending Egan, I will include it in next week's paddle-up analysis.

Hey Galen, great question. For paddle length, it is generally best at head height to one or two inches above head. If you’re on a board that’s roughly 20 liters over your bodyweight in kilograms, head height usually works well. If you’re on a higher volume board, say 20 to 40 liters over your bodyweight, going one to two inches above head height helps account for the extra height off the water. It’s always best to cut the paddle long first, hot glue it, and then shorten it in small increments, since you can always go shorter but never longer. A shorter paddle gives you a higher cadence and quicker acceleration but less leverage and power, and if it’s too short it can load your lower back because you end up hinging more. A longer paddle gives you more leverage and power per stroke, but it can stress your shoulder and force you to overreach or pull the blade out awkwardly. Blade size follows a similar logic, a larger blade gives more power per stroke but can fatigue your shoulders faster if it’s oversized, while a slightly smaller blade allows higher cadence, is easier on the joints, but less power. I use a Black Project paddle L size. If you want one I can help with discount code!

Stoked on your commitment, Primoz!! Most people wouldn’t even get out there in that weather. Huge respect... When you move your mast back and stand further toward the tail, your balance changes, so for the board to paddle evenly and not feel like it’s sinking the tail, you need to shift more weight onto your front leg. As you pump up, focus on shifting your weight and launching your hips forward on every pump to counter the foil lifting you up, bring the nose back down, and generate forward drive. Don’t forget to keep adjusting your weight distribution as you shift your stance, otherwise it’ll just feel like you’re stalling out and the foil blowing you up.

Hey Brad, stoked this helps you! When I say “use your legs more” I really mean pump the board harder. Think of it like an ollie: You pop off the back leg to project the board forward, then transfer onto the front leg to create glide and drive. It’s a bounce where the board slaps the water, rebounds, and you get as much air under it as possible so you reduce board drag and let the foil glide down from height. Right now, your feet and mast position look a bit too far forward, in the middle of the board, which limits that pop and glide effect. By moving your feet and mast slightly back, you gain leverage to get higher, generate more rebound, and carry more glide between pumps. So “using your legs more” simply means pumping the board harder and more effectively, with the back leg initiating and the front leg carrying the glide, while the paddle supports the motion instead of doing all the work. 🤙🏽

@Bradley Reber So stoked for you Brad, I just watched one of your latest pop up videos. You’re absolutely killing it. Your reach and paddling look way better 👏 Next step: try moving the mast back and really launching your hips forward to get more drive out of the pump. Fired up to keep watching your journey!