Surfing Waves

How long did it take you lot to learn to stand up consistently and do simple turns?
It was recently my 8th time surfing and I have just started to figure out simple turns. I used to skateboard a lot but I noticed its a lot different surfing but in ways easier. You literaly just turn your shoulder in the direction you want to go and you go that way. I just have to make sure when I do it I don't lose too much speed and get caught but I'm sure that'l come with practice. I find FS turns more difficult than BS turns I think I've pretty much got my pop up down. Occasionaly I don't make it but 99% of the time I stand up succesfully now on white wash and a lot of the time on breaking waves. I'm currently working on popping up faster; rather than waiting five seconds till I'm moving, I just pop up as soon as I feel my board 'lift'.

Anyway, how long did it take you lot to learn to pop up and do simple turns?
What do you think I should work on next? Keep focusing on popping up and balance (as sometimes I fall because of my balance after I have popped up) or start focusing on turning more?

My main problem was when I started turning, I often just dug the rail and fell off. It is hard to say when but it sounds like you are at that stage, progress is fast as you get the pop-up + bottom turn nailed.

I presume you mean a BS bottom turn? I find BS much easier than FS for some reason. Or did you mean after I've mastered the FS and BS bottom turns? I recon it'l be another year or so until I've actualy fully mastered it.