Surfing Waves

Um

I'm wondering if anybody can help, I think I need to change my board .I'm a 5,8 10 / 10.5 stone female . I currently ride a 7,2 epoxy mini mal o'shea. I'm dropping down and riding the green wave and turning both ways on the wave, but I'm having a little difficulty moving on; for example I dont seem to be able to get enough speed / shrpness of bottom turn to ride back up the wave and turn off the lip - or get a sharp cut back. Is this just because my technique is bad or do I ned a better board and if so what should I look for?

anybody......

Well done for getting this far. It only gets better from now on

And to answer the question - a bit of both.
Its possible to turn a mini-mal pretty quickly, and as a rule they hold their speed quite well, but yes, it will be more tricky to turn a mal back up the face than a shortboard.

Might be time to treat yourself to a new board

A biggish shortboard would probably be the next step - something like a 6'6x 20 x 2 3/4 would be a manageable step-up board, and would turn a whole lot easier than a 7'2 mal.
Probably a bit too easily for a bit, but thats half the fun

Aw thanks so much for your help. I forgot to add that I often often use my right knee in my pop up (I'm reg) will this affect performance in a new board?

I say go with a retro fish. Sizing-wise go with anywhere from a 6,0 to a 6,4 probably just depending on your preferance. I have a 6,6 twin fin retro fish and I absolutely love it. It catches anything and is very easy to stand on, turns well, and generates lots of speed. I'm still a beginner and I just got it, but I can already see it taking my surfing to the next level, and I started on about a 7,2 as well. Everyone should ride fish surfboards lol.