Shortboard Problem

[kurowkun]

i have been using my 5'8" board, when there are good waves around 3+ height. I have noticed that a majority of the time i get off center from the board meaning that my body is towards the horizon but the board is facing around 10-15ish maybe 20 degree's to the right or left, is there a way to fix this bad habit of mine ?

also i don't use a body rash guard because i don't own one or a wet suit because the water is not that cold enough to need to wear a wetsuit

[Big H]

Most surfers here wear tshirts as rash guards....you probably have one of those.

Holding your body position on a short board is all about core strength, being able to hold a good body position and adjust that position with all of your core muscles depending on waves that roll under, surface chop, currents, or just the fiorces exerted on holding position and board balance while paddling. You're going to feel it more the shorter you go and 5'8" is short for any weight or height outside of grommies. You can try to shirt cut it by working in your fitness out of the water, or spend more time in the water emulating good form, or get a bigger board and emulate good form.

[kurowkun]

Most surfers here wear tshirts as rash guards....you probably have one of those.

Holding your body position on a short board is all about core strength, being able to hold a good body position and adjust that position with all of your core muscles depending on waves that roll under, surface chop, currents, or just the fiorces exerted on holding position and board balance while paddling. You're going to feel it more the shorter you go and 5'8" is short for any weight or height outside of grommies. You can try to shirt cut it by working in your fitness out of the water, or spend more time in the water emulating good form, or get a bigger board and emulate good form.

yea i go everyday at least 1 hour everday since late March or early April. when i use a 6'6" fish 3 months in, I would practice paddling and other techniques for an hour just to get better at my forms and still doing it to present time. using the 5'8" i can catch any waves i have my eyes on when the swells are good. i still have the problem of getting better on my stand up because im still a bit sluggish when i use the chicken wing technique, maybe ill start heading to the gym again to increase my core a lot more as well upper and lower body strength.

[Big H]

5'8" board demands a proper pop up, not a chicken wing....practice that and keep working on your form while in the water....don't lay on the board like it was a bed or as if you were a sack of potatoes....you should feel electric and poised....watch videos of paddling and emulate the body form down to being able to control the board underneath you with your legs crossed and slightly raised so that the feet are just on or above the surface of the water and not causing drag...you will feel when you get it right....then work on maintaining that because you won't be able to very long at first.

I do some bodyweight exercises (dips, pushups, pull ups, planks, squats) but nothing beats working surfing muscles better (or more enjoyably) than surfing....if you are able get out as much as you can.

[waikikikichan]

I have noticed that a majority of the time i get off center from the board meaning that my body is towards the horizon but the board is facing around 10-15ish maybe 20 degree's to the right or left, is there a way to fix this bad habit of mine ?

Is this during your paddle out ? So your describing the board not pointed straight ahead, but a little bit left or right ? Your need to work on a smooth paddle. Not a fast paddle. What's the point in a deep strong paddle if it's making the board veer side to side. Could also be you have a dominate hand paddle which is pulling the board one way.