Surfing Waves

I've been surfing since May and I've hit a wall in my progression. I usually surf the beach breaks in around Huntington and Newport beaches. I can catch waves no problem however the wave usually closes out before I get an kind of a ride out of it. I think that is probably due to a couple of reasons: 1. Late take offs 2. Close-out, crappy waves 3. Wave selection 4. Not catching the wave at its peak 5. Not angling quick enough. Any input anyone has would be awesome. Thanks.

You're figuring out the problem on your own haha. It could be due to late take off zone, or the break. Take advice #4 and hopefully that's it.

you have answered your own question with that list of problems - could be any of the above or a combination of the above. Try to get someone to watch what you are doing and comment. Or betetr yet get some one to video you and then watch it with scrutanizing eyes. Thats what i did when i had an issue and it made it blindingly obvious what i was doing wrong and that slight correction made a huge difference.

However there is one final thing it may be

6 - board choice. It could be possible that your equipment is at fault although first look at the other problems first

Fins: you using FCS or future fins?

The type of fins make a huge difference. My shaper, an ex team rider for Plus1 surfboards, uses different fin set ups for different conditions. What kind of fins do you use?

Even in close outs, a half decent surfer should get a rio in, or set up for the closeout barrell.
Death chambers rock!
Set yourself up and work on some classic stances for your tubes. Eg. Hands behind back, hangin 5 etc..

Maybe you should also work on your paddling and take off positioning to give you more time to set yourself up