Tips for New CJ Nelson "Sprout" Longboard: Catching Waves

[WorldsOldestGrom]

Hi all: Newbie (to forum here). I just got a new 10' CJ Nelson "Sprout" on Tuesday and got her wet yesterday (Wed).....REALLY like it and notice its quite a bit different than my 9'6" Walden Mega Magic. I'm looking for tips to more effectively catch waves with it......

For starters, I would consider myself an advanced noive..probably intermediate. I can easily catch waves on my 9'6" Walden and cross step up and back and even get cheater 5's here and there.....its a wave catching machine and I have no problem with it in knee high to head high waves. I thought I'd have a much easier time catching waves on my new 10' "Sprout", and although I got quite a few clean green water rides (to include going frontside and backside, and cross stepping it up and back) and love the feel of it under foot once up, I missed a ton of waves. I would either pearl the nose or the wave would pass under me......

The board is void of any markings up front so I put a sticker on it for a pop up reference and waxed over it before I went out. I made a lot of small changes positioning my prone position with each different wave (about knee-thigh high faces) and again, it seemed like 60% of the time I'd pearl or the wave would pass under me. The 10' Sprout has VERY VERY little nose rocker so its easy to submerge when paddling in......and then of I shifted back just an inch or less on the next wave it seemed like the wave would pass underneath.

So, looking for any tips and tricks to more effectively catch waves on this bugger.....I only had one 3 hour session yesterday so maybe I just need more hours on her.....I would have caught 80-90% of yesterday's waves on my Walden.

Wondering if there's something I can do/try that might instantly change being a smidge too far back or forward.....I did try head up and back arches if I felt the nose starting to dig a bit as well as head down to the deck if it appeared I might be a tad too far back..... It sure seems like the sweet spot is tiny!!!!!!

Again, appreciate any thoughts/tips...

Here's a couple pics....in one you'll see the board with a sticker that I thought'd be a good reference for positioning. The other pic is one of my rides.

[jaffa1949]

Watch it , I’m heading to 71

[WorldsOldestGrom]

My online username prompted that I guess???

I've reviewed online video's today and starting to think its maybe a "speed into the way" thing.....I typically paddle about half a dozen times to catch and then an extra 1-2. FWIW, I'm 58 and quite fit (6'1", 185lbs).

Appreciate any thoughts/comments!

[waikikikichan]

1) Get rid of the reference mark, sticker or ball of wax for positioning.

2) You should get up to Max speed in about 4-5 paddle strokes. ( How is your hand as it enters the water ? )

3)

Wondering if there's something I can do/try that might INSTANTLY change being a smidge too far back or forward.

Answer: TIME. Anything worthwhile takes TIME. And that is learning the ins and outs of how each board works through experience riding it. And part of TIME is TIMING of when to quickly pop up OR stay down, glide a bit longer and pull away from the white water curl before getting up. ( different from your Mega Magic to your "sprout" )

[WorldsOldestGrom]

Thanks W-Chan,

As far as your #1 reco....yeah, I get it. I know my board positioning will get better overtime with lots more waves under my belt. I'll definitely look to improve/fine the the nose just skimming the surface when paddling. W/r/t paddling, I try to keep my hand relaxed and inline with my forearm and use both when I pull while staying close to the side of the board. If anything, my hand is entering the water at little bit of an angle (away from the board), but close to the rail and then I flatten it out and pull with my whole arm. I know I can probably improve my paddle technique so any tips there are definitely welcome.

I'm wondering, I always make a point to position my feet (when paddling in) with toes on the board and heels up....is it bad or does it help if one raises a lower leg up (like doing a leg curl) in an effort to shift a little bit of weight forward if you sense being a touch too far back, or is that bad technique? I see a good number of guys doing this.....

[waikikikichan]

I try to keep my hand relaxed and inline with my forearm and use both when I pull while staying close to the side of the board. If anything, my hand is entering the water at little bit of an angle (away from the board), but close to the rail and then I flatten it out and pull with my whole arm.

Your hand should pass under the board, with fingers pointed to the opposite side, not pointed down to the sand/reef.

I'm wondering, I always make a point to position my feet (when paddling in) with toes on the board and heels up....is it bad or does it help if one raises a lower leg up (like doing a leg curl) in an effort to shift a little bit of weight forward if you sense being a touch too far back, or is that bad technique? I see a good number of guys doing this.....

You do you, if your technique works, then its' all good. If you a bit back, late, or the wave bumps up, then sure raise a leg or both. Use it like a clutch, modulating the amount. Not slammed forward or back.

But I'm am not a proponent of up on your toes paddling. ( when you do that, you are engaging those muscle and sending energy/blood flow to those muscles, when it should go to the paddling ) Keep the body ( including your legs, feet, toes ) QUIET. Only the shoulders outward should be in motion.

[Tom]

Try to find some youtube where the Sprout is surfing. Look at the type of wave. My guess is that it is a perfect board for point break where you angle at starting , and I am sure the board will be very fast along the wave.
In my opinion a long board for fast hollow waves need to have thin rails, thin tail and nose, concave nose, and the more rocker the better. Then as soon as the board start gliding, just a little shift of weight will dip the rail and board turn down the wave.
Here is a video http://www.silversurferdude.com/video/1 ... jomovi.mp4
It should show how board is turning even before I am poping up.
The conclusion is that your new board may be designed for one type of wave and you are using it for an other type of wave.
Kind regard Torben