1.5 Years in, What were you learning?

[torrancesurfer]

Hi guys another set of newb questions. Any posts are greatly appreciated!

Been surfing for about 1.5 years now and on a 6'0 wide and thick fish.

1. Im having so much trouble pumping on my backside, any tips or videos of goofy footers doing it well?
2. I can bottom turn and pump on my front side and get some speed, whats next? Cutback? Floaters?
3. Im getting surfers ear Can anyone recommend a pair of good earplugs that keep water out but not sound?
4. What were you guys learning around 1-1.5 years in the game?

Thanks fellas

[Lebowski]

If your fish is 6' wide then that's probably the problem!

Seriously though, yes I would say cutbacks and floaters would be the next stage of evolution.

I'm not sure if 1.5yrs of surfing is long enough to get surfers ear. All the people I know who've had it have been surfing 10+ years. Have you seen a doctor about it? It's a good idea to get earplugs though, although I can't reccommend any brands because I'm stupid and don't really wear them.

[RonG]

Hi guys another set of newb questions. Any posts are greatly appreciated!

Been surfing for about 1.5 years now and on a 6'0 wide and thick fish.

3. Im getting surfers ear Can anyone recommend a pair of good earplugs that keep water out but not sound?
4. What were you guys learning around 1-1.5 years in the game?

I'm also just over a year in. I don't know if what I'm working on will have relevance to you, since I'm riding an 8'6 longboard and issues of "pumping for speed" don't apply. I'm working on getting comfortable with the board in bigger surf, further improving my frontside riding from section to section, using the full length of the board for speed and turns, and getting comfortable with going left (I'm regularfoot). I do have a 6'6 fish but have not found the time or inclination yet to give it a go.

As for the earplugs, I do have a suggestion. I tried a few things last winter and most earplugs cut off my hearing too much for my comfort. I hit on these http://www.proplugs.com/surfing.shtml. They do let some water in but basically the same principal as a wetsuit - the water is warmed by body heat and acts as an insulator. Plus they still let you hear pretty well. FWIW I think it's worth it to spring for the fitting kit before buying since an exact fit is important.

[surf patrol]

Check out http://www.surfplugs.co.uk/ for some decent ear plugs.

[spectrefish]

Doc's Pro Plugs!
http://www.proplugs.com/

These are vented ear plugs. That means there is a little hole in them that allows for pressure change and sound to travel through.

They work great and you can still hear people but you might be talking a little louder out in the lineup.

One thing you need to get used to is they do allow a small amount of water in your ear, but not enough to cause any problems, and water tends to stay in the recessed area of the ear plug causing water to block the hole. It makes it sound like there is constantly water in your ear and it makes everything sound like it's coming through a tin can. If you can deal with that, they are perfect ear plugs.

[torrancesurfer]

Thanks for the input guys! Noted on all points -

What were you guys working on 1-2 years into surfing? I guess Im just trying to get a sense of how fast I am / should be progressing. 1.5 years seems like a long time just to learn how to turn ;| Thinking about getting some lessons actually..

My board is actually around 23" wide and 2 5/8" thick, so think might be making it a bit more challenging to turn and stuff. Thoughts?

[IB_Surfer]

It's time to save the fish for mushy or small days and get a thurster, the width means you are surfing rail to rail, not really digging the rail, and the shape makes for wider turns.

Buy a thruster but don't go too small since you are still learning. I would go with a step up for now, it will be stable but turn way better, it will seem to turn on a dime, plus when you get better you can keep it as your big wave board. What's your height and weight?

As to plugs, I use docs, but just because they come with a leash, I keep loosing all others. I actually like the silicone plugs better but go through them too fast.

[Newbloke]

pumping on your backside is like doing 'mini turns' up and down the face of the wave. You are not going for a big sweeping turn but little ones building speed on your way down and transferring it on your way up.

[perusurf]

try silly putty as ear plugs, cheap, you can mold into the ear, 100% water proof, longlasting....hahah....seriously, a lot of people use that around here.

At first I say it took me about 5 years to get decent, at first just on weekends, in summers 'cuz of work and studies, once i started surfing more often that's when i got better....haven't been able to stop surfing often since.

[torrancesurfer]

Hey guys thanks for all the help

BTW math teacher I am about 175 and 5'7"