Paddle to Pop-up Device

Abstract

A device for attachment to the deck of a surfboard or paddleboard for making paddling a surfboard or paddleboard more comfortable and easier to paddle. On a surfboard the device can also assist in attaining proper speed and so that a surfer can more easily “pop-up.” The pop-up assist generally comprises a main body having a generally wedge shape attached to the deck of the surfboard generally where the lower chest or abdomen of the surfer, makes contact with the board. The pop-up assist generally creates a wedge between the body of the surfer or paddler and the deck of the surfboard, lifting the user's upper chest, neck and, head up from the deck of the board.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]This invention relates to the field of surfboards and paddleboards, more particularly to attachments or modifications to the decks of surfboards and paddleboards for assisting the user in paddling and standing up on surfboards and paddling paddleboards.[0003]2. Description of the Related Art[0004]Surfing is a popular surface water sport in which the participant is carried along the face of a breaking wave using a surfboard. Surfing requires balance, coordination and dexterity. Some of the most difficult aspects of learning to surf are paddling to the speed of the wave, maintaining a nice smooth motion in changing from a paddling position to a standing position, keeping one's center of gravity low once standing on the board, and maintaining a good flexed balance on the centerline or “stringer” of the board.[0005]Surfing begins with the surfer eyeing a wave on the horizon and then attempting to match its speed toward the beach by paddling...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]Because of these and other problems known to those of skill in the art, described herein, amongst other things, is a pop-up assist or other means comprising a generally wedge shape pad designed to be attached to, or formed as a part of, a surfboard or paddleboard. The pop-up assist is designed to act as a wedge between the body of the person laying flat on their stomach prone on a surfboard or paddleboard in the paddling position and the surfboard such that strain is taken off the lower rib cage of the user's chest / torso by spreading the pressure-point normally focused by the flat surface of the surfboard or paddleboard across the area of the pad. This also provides support for and raises the chest / torso of the surfer so that paddling a surfboard or paddleboard is more comfortable and the difficulty of achieving the proper arm movement is eased. This lifting and pressure relief also generally assists a surfer in reducing the amount of energy needed to pop-up. It is contemplated that the pop-up assist will be more widely used on, longboards and funboards and less than on shortboards due to inherent properties of surfboard design but that is by no means required, and the device may be used on any type of surfboard. The device may also be used on a paddleboard or other similar device where popping-up is generally not performed, but as a pure paddle assist device.

[0015]There is described herein, among other things, a device or similar means for attachment to the deck of a surfboard or paddleboard for making paddling a surfboard or paddleboard more comfortable and easier to paddle. On a surfboard the device can also assist in attaining proper speed so that a surfer can more easily “pop-up.” The pop-up assist generally comprises a main body having a generally wedge shape attached to the deck of the surfboard generally where the lower chest or abdomen of the surfer, makes contact with the board. The pop-up assist generally creates a wedge between the body of the surfer or paddler and the deck of the surfboard, lifting the user's upper chest, neck and, head up from the deck of the board.

[0019]In an embodiment of the pad, the pad is designed to be attached by a hook and loop fastener system to the deck of a surfboard where one component of the hook and loop fastener material is attached to the deck of the surfboard and the mating component of the hook and fastener material is attached to the lower surface of the pad. This provides an embodiment where the pad is designed to be attached to the deck of a surfboard through an attachment system that enables the user to adjust the pad forward or backward on the surfboard.

[0032]In an embodiment of this surfboard the means also assists the user in transitioning from the prone positioning to a standing positioning.

Problems solved by technology

Some of the most difficult aspects of learning to surf are paddling to the speed of the wave, maintaining a nice smooth motion in changing from a paddling position to a standing position, keeping one's center of gravity low once standing on the board, and maintaining a good flexed balance on the centerline or “stringer” of the board.

While the movements of paddling are simple, it becomes much harder in the ocean as the surfer has to balance their body on the board in moving water while being deterred by the currents, wind and waves.

A surfer frequently will have difficulty paddling out because of poor body positioning on the deck of the board.

If the surfer is too far back on the board, it will tilt up in the front causing resistance that will make paddling the surfboard harder as well as potentially making it hard to see in front of the board.

Further, if the surfer is too far forward on the surfboard, then the nose will sink, causing the surfer difficulty in maneuvering the board.

Despite its advantages, this method of paddling can be an uncomfortable and daunting task.

Further, the act of raising one's chest / torso above the surface of the board can cause fatigue and strain in the musculoskeletal system of the surfer's lumbar, thoracic and cervical spine regions.

Over time, the surfer has the possibility of developing chronic back pain and muscle tension, among other physical problems, from this motion.

Consequently, beginner surfers with little upper body strength or little experience with the motions required to paddle out to a wave and properly pop-up can find these two tasks difficult and daunting.

Also, paddleboarders require stamina to endure staying in the prone paddling position.

While practice is valuable, even for experienced surfers, the equipment does not always make the task of paddling and popping-up easy.

Further, paddling, even for those skilled in it, can be hard on the body of the surfer due to their ribs being pressed into the board and the strain and tension in the muscles of the surfer's back that results from maintaining the proper raised paddling position.

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