Paddling in steep fast waves

Hi,

I'm getting fairly comfortable paddling in 2-3 ft waves except when the waves are:

Steep
Fast moving
Coming from behind me (where I can't see them)

In this case, my boat is often on 2 or 3 waves at once. The trough of the wave is sometimes directly below where I put my paddle in the water. (This causes the paddle swing through the air for the first half of the stroke before abruptly slapping the wave I'm sitting on)

The boat itself also feels more unstable when wave are coming from behind (the stern feels like it slides around side-to-side) perhaps because it's a Rapier 20 with a rear mounted rudder).


1)Any tips on paddle placement? Do you have to look at the water and actively place the paddle depending on which part of the wave it's on?

2)Is it normal for the stern of the boat to "slide around" a bit when waves come from behind?

Thanks

No expert, but put yr blade in at the crest or just a little past.

Since your rudder is at the stern, when on a wave it is likely sticking out of the water much of the time rendering it ineffective (especially on a steep wave), giving the boat the feeling of being pushed around. Which is why surfskis have the rudder mounted forward of the stern, but it sounds like you already know that.

Come over to the dark side - get a surfski.

Bill L

Indeed it is best way to learn for beginners. I also use to this training when I was not much familiar to this work.