Surfing Waves

I'v been surfing a little while (on friends boards) and finally got my own. It's a bic 6'7 shortboard tri-fin. I surfed some really small knee-waist waves no problem but on any thing bigger (anything with a drop) when I popup I nearly always end up pushing the nose right into the face and pearling pretty nastily. I'm pretty sure I'm just pushing a little too far forward (too close to the nose) when I popup and thats why I'm pearling. I suppose practice makes perfect popping up on a shortboard. But anyway, I noticed I'm really really far back when paddling (to prevent pearling) right as I catch the wave. Is paddling so far back okay? Also what do you guys think about the board compared to my height / size? Im about 5'6-7 and around 125 pounds.

Thanks
~Dave