When a paddle blade splashes in beside your feet, the stroke has already lost some of its usefulness. A quieter catch starts farther forward, with the blade fully in the water before you load it. Work on that sequence first; trying to muscle the board along usually makes the movement less tidy.
Set your posture first
Stand with feet about hip-width apart and knees relaxed, keeping your weight balanced over the board. Hold the shaft with one hand on the grip and the other lower down; a comfortable reach matters more than forcing a particular arm position. Look ahead, and let your torso turn with the reach instead of folding at the waist.
Plant, draw, then release
Reach forward, place the blade fully in the water, and draw it back alongside the board with a steady torso rotation. Keep the pull controlled and take the blade out around your feet rather than dragging it toward your hip. Reset for the next stroke without rushing; smooth repetition is easier to build on than a few hard pulls.
Turn with a wider sweep
To turn, make a broad sweep away from the board instead of repeating a straight stroke in the same place. A forward sweep can help bring the nose around, while a sweep that travels toward the tail can help pivot it the other way. Practice both on open, calm water with room around you, then return to a simple straight stroke and notice how much control comes from the blade path.