So John John doesn’t just surf faster? Photo: Tony Heff//World Surf League
When a pro surfer paddles out at your local break, they’re not just surfing better than you — they’re probably paddling better too.
A new study published in Sports Engineering — highlighted by pro surfer/scientist Dr. Cliff Kapono — found that the world’s elite surfers separate themselves from the great surfers through superior paddle speed and technique. Researchers from Griffith University in Queensland, Australia and the Surfing Australia High Performance Program determined that surfers who compete on the Championship Tour (CT) or Challenger Series (CS) paddle faster than those on the Qualifying Series (QS).
The study tested 22 Australian surfers — 13 CT/CS competitors and nine QS surfers (13 men and nine women) — in a pool, measuring their body movements and speeds during 15-meter sprint paddles. Each surfer used their preferred thruster board, with sensors placed on their upper back, lower back, and the nose of the board.
Results showed that elite surfers of both sexes paddled faster and demonstrated greater upper-back rotation. Among men, elite surfers showed significantly more upper-body movement than sub-elite surfers, while the women showed no major difference in overall movement profile. Across the board, male surfers exhibited greater body movement and less board roll than females.
Researchers concluded that trunk control and stability — not just arm strength — are key to paddle speed. They also observed sex-specific movement patterns that coaches can use to tailor training strategies. Greater spinal flexion, longer stroke length, and stronger trunk stability contribute to more efficient sprint paddling.
Researchers acknowledged that future studies should include larger sample sizes and ocean-based testing to better account for environmental variables. They also noted that while participants wore wetsuits — which could influence performance — it reflects real-world competition conditions.
The study highlights an often-overlooked fact: roughly 50 percent of a surf session is spent paddling. Improving as a surfer isn’t just about perfecting your bottom turn to snap — it’s about getting into more waves. In crowded lineups, better paddling means more opportunities, and more opportunities mean faster progression.
