Good SUP board tracking is essential for an enjoyable trip on the water. Inadequate tracking of your SUP board costs extra energy, resulting in a tiring trip. Contrary to what many people think, this is not about the technology for tracking your SUP board, but about the direction of travel of the board.
On this page we will tell you all about SUP board tracking and how you can improve it if necessary.
What is tracking of a SUP board?
Good tracking of a SUP board means that your sailing direction is straight ahead. If the tracking is not in order, it will go in all directions, resulting in a tiring SUP trip.
These tiring actions stem from the fact that you have to change sides and adjust your paddle every time, something you also see a lot with novice paddlers .
The fin(s) under the SUP board ensure correct tracking, but the shape also plays a role, so keep this in mind when you want to buy a SUP board . We'll go into more detail below.
What ensures good tracking of your SUP board?
The shape and fin of your SUP board are responsible for tracking. The fin in particular is very important. You will notice this when you remove it from under your board, if possible. Just try it out, the fun will soon pass.
You will constantly have to change sides and sailing straight ahead is almost impossible. Good for your muscles, less for your endurance. The fin(s) are essential for good tracking of your SUP board, so don't forget to mount them.
Read also: SUP boards with a seat
How do I straighten the tracking of my SUP board?
If you notice that your board swings more in the water (and you have to switch sides more often than you like), you can largely correct this by changing the positioning of the fin.
Note: changing the position of the SUP board fin is not possible with every board.
- Lighter riders can often paddle straight with just one center fin.
- Heavier riders sometimes find themselves rocking more than they'd like.
To remedy this, we recommend adding a pair of side fins to complement the center fin and give your board more traction.
If you don't want to add two side fins to your board, you can also just replace the center fin with a large rudder-style fin. This will also help you paddle in a straight line.
Is your problem still not resolved? It can also happen that you are dealing with a leaky SUP board or too low a PSI, which logically does not benefit the sailing direction.
Conclusion
Going straight ahead on your SUP board is also called tracking. Contrary to what many people think, it has nothing to do with tracking your board remotely. Make sure you have the right fins mounted and shaped for your needs on the water. There are also differences between a hard and inflatable SUP board .
The better the tracking of your SUP board, the less effort you have to make to move forward.