Surfing Waves

So I'm still learning to shortboard and I'm wondering if you have any tips? Right now the average wave conditions for the past month have been knee to waist high. Would angled take offs help as I seem to be pearling a lot... I also realized I need to sit further inside, closer to where the waves break to get some push on my board and it seems I only get the energy just before the wave curls.

hey man, i started shortboarding about a week ago in similar conditions and can definitely relate to your problem. itll just take a little time to get used to where to line up for the wave and how to make the drop since its much steeper than longboarding, you really have to nail your pop up and you only have a split second to do so or else youll either miss the wave or pearl. i spent a few sessions out there just pearling on about every wave before i figured it out.

to answer your question, i wouldnt try taking off on angle just go straight and once you start to get used to the drop youll be able to turn down the line. something that helped me a lot was once im at the peak of the wave ill kick with my feet together a little and really focus on getting a few strong paddles in to really get into the wave. once youre in you just have to nail the pop up and enjoy the speed you get flying down the wave on your shortboard. the first few times it clicked for me i only got my back leg up to my knee and then eventually got to my feet after the drop.

itll come in time, i know it can be a little frustrating but once you get it youll never look back

undergroundthry wrote:it seems I only get the energy just before the wave curls.

...then that's where you need to be

Shortboarding is much more about taking off at a critical moment and getting to your feet very very fast. Catch the wave as early as you can but you'll often need to be right where its beginning to break.

Taking off at an angle wont help at all with pearling in the critical section - it'll make it worse as the wave will pitch the board over sideways.
Paddle harder, arch your back, get to your feet as soon as you've caught the wave. Crouch down low, hold on tight.

I agree with drowningbitbybit. Paddle harder, arch your back and so on. Try to recognize that surge of energy you feel when your board starts to plane on the wave. Whether you're pearling or successfully getting to your feet, familiarize yourself with that critical surge and train yourself to react accordingly.

Another possibility for your pearling could be your board. There may not be enough rocker. Or maybe you're too heavy for your board.

undergroundthry wrote:So I'm still learning to shortboard and I'm wondering if you have any tips? Right now the average wave conditions for the past month have been knee to waist high. Would angled take offs help as I seem to be pearling a lot... I also realized I need to sit further inside, closer to where the waves break to get some push on my board and it seems I only get the energy just before the wave curls.

You know in theory what to do by your own questions.

Catch the waves that are going to break on your head - job done

The best advice I believe is to arch your back right before you pop up; this will help keep the nose of the board out of the water.
Also try not to look down at the board but you probably already know that

If you're catching the wave while its about to crash on top of you, its too late and the best thing to do is cover your head in preparation for a wipe out.