Is teacher moving too fast? Long-Short

[hmagee]

Hi, I had my third lesson today, and was put on a smaller board again. I started on a long board, then a slightly smaller board and today i was put on a board 6'5 foot length, about 19 inches in width and about 2 inches thick.
I am able to stand, ride waves and make small turns but my paddling is weak and my surfing instructor is pushing me up to speed so i can catch them. My balance is good as i used to be a skateboarder and can already naturally feel where my feet feel best but i was wondering if maybe my surfing instructor is moving me too quickly to shortboard size as everyone says that long boards are best for beginners. Is my surfing instructor moving me up too quickly? Or should i focus on the smaller size and my paddling and just go with it?
It feels nice to be on a shorter board, i can feel the difference in my turns and i feel like i have more time to focus on other things i should be doing, like tightening my belly and looking forward...
Im 5ft5 and weigh 58kg.

[Lebowski]

As soon as you start paddling for your own waves you'll appreciate the difference that a larger board makes. If your paddling is weak you probably won't be able to catch your own waves on the 6'5.

[oldgrom22]

It does seem like your instructor is moving you up a bit quickly. Personally I feel the time for you to be pushed into waves is only in the beginning, to get you the feel of riding. Once you attempt to get out back for "unbroken" waves, you should be catching waves on your own. I would say to stick to a longer board, one long enough for you to paddle yourself into waves. That's key to your next level of progression.

It is also kind of dependent on what type of lessons you signed up for. Perhaps your instructor is just trying to let you see how it feels to be riding on a short board, not really sure what the benefit of that would be(maybe building your stoke). Around here, they usually keep beginners on soft-tops and move them to a longboards or funboards once they start catching waves on their own. A short board would be way later down the line, usually once the surfer has built some stamina/skills out in the water.

[oldmansurfer]

I think if you are catching waves then it's not too soon.

[hmagee]

Hi everyone, thanks for the replies.
Today the waves were a bit choppy so my surfing instructor had me practice my paddling... two hours worth :/ but i am already starting to notice a difference compared to the last few days and i managed to catch two green waves on my own, albeit very slow waves and a lack of rollercoaster feeling in my belly.
So i think i'll stick with this new board for a few more days and see how i go as my surfing instructor suggests. I was struggling a bit
getting over the very large waves (large for me) but was able to hold onto my board. Though somehow, when i did an eskimo roll, i ended up back on my board and facing the beach again..
Are there any other major benefits i would find in using a long board for the next few months?

[Big H]

With the waves what they are here in Bali for the next few months we'd all do well to break out the longboards....


Everything is easier on a big board....there is more room for error in positioning in the water and on the board, paddling is easier and faster, and the ride is more stable so you can actually have fun and surf instead of paddling around....

....once you take your instructor out of the equation it will be a whole new ball game....instructors find the peak for you and hold you there...whether or not they actually push you in is secondary....that peak finding thing is HUGE for a beginner....so hard to find out where it is easiest to catch the wave consistently when you have no experience.....then there is the fact that instructors stay out of the way of other instructors and surfers for the most part won't crowd you with a local instructor...not true when you are alone, you will be common meat in the pack and to catch a wave you are going to have to out paddle other surfers at most breaks that are suitable for learning....

Big board all the way! And don't listen to people who say long boards are too big for Bali waves....I learned on one here (9'3") and am still surfing one (9'6") from time to time in all conditions (big, small, crumbly, hollow).

[Big H]

I've read and others here have said in the past that a good starting point for a beginner's board is a minimum of 18" (foot and a half) taller than you are. For you that would be right around 7'. I would think a basic mini mal that is common around here in the 7'4" - 7'6" length should be ok for you, give enough float and not be too huge and unwieldy. Make sure that there is a little rocker up in the nose; waves are strong here and it usually isn't an issue of being able to paddle fast enough to catch the wave, but some breaks jack faster than others and a little nose rocker goes a long way.

[hmagee]

okay thank you, Do you think it would be beneficial to use the shortboard while with my surfing instructor and then use a longboard to fill out the rest of my day?

[hmagee]

rocker.. just had to look it up, will keep it in mind tomorrow, thanks again

[Big H]

When you are with your instructor, trust what they tell you and the board he gives you......if not then get another instructor. It sounds like it is working out; just follow what he says then try renting different size boards from the beach (Kuta, batu bolong, Seminyak in front of Ku De Ta and Brawa beach all have different sized boards to rent). Use the board the instructor wants you to use with him then try different sized boards on your own time and see for yourself what works best for you. Don't let them charge too much; Rp50.000 for two hours is standard; Rp 80.000 for two is tourist rate and the max you should pay. Local rate is 50.000 as long as you want btw. In any case it's dirt cheap and you can try everything from a 9'+ longboard to a fish. Good luck!

[hmagee]

okay, awesome, sounds like the best plan, thanks again! cant wait until morning time...

[Big H]

,,,,,cant wait until morning time...

Me too....love the lifestyle here....I'm waxing up the board I'm going to use for tomorrow this very moment! Cheers!