Surfing Waves

G'day all, I have been surfing a 9'4 longboard for about 6 months and generally loving every second however I find that I often end up slipping off the back of the more waves than I catch (usually surfing beach breaks). The guys I surf with say my positioning on the board looks fine and it feels comfortable to me ...what am I doing wrong??? Ive heard its possible to adjust my paddling trim speed by raising or lowering my legs below my knees while I paddle. Can anyone offer some advice?

Also, I am about to visit the good'ole USA (first 2 weeks in November) can anyone recommend a fun (easy) wave around San Diego and what can I expect regards weather,temp, etc?
Thanks in advance.
Farside

old mans is a classic longboard spot, it's a bit up the coast though.

but yea, raisding and lowering your feet change your center of gravity and where more weight is positioned on your board so it can make you paddle faster, or slower. Moving your head around helps too. But with a 9'4, why dont you knee paddle it?

Thanks for the advice.
I have never contemplated knee paddling or for that matter really ever seen how its done properly, especially in the beach breaks around the sunshine coast.... may be its worth a try, I'll either look like a style-miester or a total kook but either wont matter..

Try moving forward on the deck so that there is only about an inch of feeboard between the nose and the water while paddling, then when you feel the wave pick the board up, extend your arms and arch your back. This will drive the nose down and the wave won't pass you. It'll also help avoid pearling.

You could wax it up better too.

I agree with mcsurf, if body positioning is good and and your feet are not dangling off the side acting as drag then keep your head low and extended forward lifting it as you catch the wave. The other thing is being in a good take off spot on the wave, a lot of times just knowing how the wave breaks makes a huge difference. Last two things are commitment to making the wave (not worrying about pearling, running into somebody or eating s#%t), the other is practice, practice, practice, the more you surf the stronger your skills will get. Good luck.

Thanks guys for all the advice, i have been putting it into practice and things are going a lot better, it sure is amazing when things click..

i find the best way to paddle on any board is when your torso is on your board so that when you stretch out your arms your knuckles are just over the nose. thats my optimal paddle speed, i go like a speed demon

scoot forward three inches further. Take off three feet deeper. Problem solved.