Surfing Waves

do you find that your position on the board is the same when you're paddling out to the waves as it is when you're paddling for a wave?

i went out to watch some guys (while i'm waiting for my stick to get out of repair) and it looked like they were positioned way more forward on the board when they were paddling out to the waves than when they would paddle into one. it seemed, to me at least, that when they would turn to take a wave, their nose was a bit further out of the water.


again, until i'm able to get back on my shorty, all i can do is ask questions

Just to be contrary to what you're saying... I lay slightly further back on the board when paddling out, and a lot flatter ie head only just above the board and feet extended behind me (but still above the water). When I paddle for a wave my face is over the nose of the board and my head/neck/back bend back as I begin to speed up. My legs are usually bent and flapping at the water.

Yes, its two completely different positions and only you can work out which ones work for you.

it can depend on the surf too. in small crappy surf i sometimes lie a bit further forward on the board to try n push weight down the face but i lie a bit further back when its big n steep. usually i lie a bit further back when paddling out than paddling for waves.

they are different types of paddling really. paddling out is rarely sprint paddling.

Depends on your board size too... a bigger board will allow a bit of movement, and you'll need your weight further forward to duckdive, yet you'll want to move back to avoid pearling on take off.

On a shorter board it's more critical to find the position that allows you to paddle the fastest. Pearling is less of an issue on a shorter board, so you don't need to move back to keep the nose out of the water.

I don't think my position changes much at all, on the fish i've been riding most maybe a little further forward on the way out, but the Stretch at 6'5'' and 19'1/2'' there aint gonna be that much difference with my height/weight ratios to the way i sit on the board.

I'm slightly further back on the board when paddling out and then when I swing round to get a wave I sit even further back and sink the tail more just to spin the board round 180 degrees then start paddling for the wave and I'm further forward to put more weight over the nose and paddle like fk to catch the wave. If its a late drop I paddle slightly further back on the board tho cos I know there won't be any difficulty in catching the wave and I'll only have to worry about nose diving.

hmmm, how many of you guys can put your toes on the back of your board when your lying down?

probly not many shortboarders can do that. one of my boards is only an inch taller than me so to leave some out in front theres no way i could have my feet on the end.

Feet flapping in the breeze....

I'm a bit further forward on the board.. get a bit of extra drive through any current coming at you and a faster duck dive.