Stroke Rate vs Stroke Length

Definitions

• Stroke Rate: cadence (strokes per minute)
• Stroke Length: distance covered per stroke
• Tradeoff: higher rate often reduces length, and vice versa

Why Surfers Need Balance

• Goal: sustainable propulsion at low heart rate
• Cadence spikes for sprints; length focus for cruising economy
• Conditions vary: currents, chop, board buoyancy, wetsuits

How to Find Your Zone

• Short repeats testing different cadences at easy effort
• Note breath cadence and RPE, not just speed
• Keep EVF quality; avoid catch slippage as cadence rises

Practical Surf Translation

• Default: relaxed, long strokes; sprint: quick, compact cadence
• Match cadence to wave timing, not arbitrary numbers
• Quality over quantity: clean catches beat thrashy turnover