I'm wondering what other people use as a favorite technique to paddle in a straight line.

I typically start with a small-degree draw and end with a spilt second of a rudder. I tried J-strokes etc as well, but find that on a board, it takes more power to do an efficient j-stroke. Any people out there who prefer the J-stroke?

PS for those who don't know the details of those strokes, they are pretty similar to those used in canoeing, and are described here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canoe_paddle_strokes

I use what canoeists call the C stroke. Its a small bow draw, then the power stroke with the top hand past vertical (over the bottom hand) to get the blade under the board and closer to the centerline) and then a small "flick" of a J at the end. I can paddle for 5 miles on one side without a fin like this. I prefer a fin, but its not necessary to go straight if you do the stroke correctly.