paddling

[apshah]

Hello I am a beginner at surfing and am having problems simply starting my paddle on the surfboard. I either fall off the side or the surfboard veers right and i don't get anywhere. Im using an 8 ft soft surfboard. Any suggestions?

[Surf Hound]

Keep trying.... Eventually you will get your balance and be able to paddle straight AND stay on the board. Slow down, ensure you are balanced evenly on the board and look out to the horizon while you paddle. Don't look 10 inches in front of you - your eyes will pick up the water texture that's in front of you automatically concentrate on the horizon and make deep deliberate paddles - don't spasm out. You will get it..............

[oldmansurfer]

One of the beginner mistakes in paddling I see is the surfer sticks their arms out sideways to paddle. You should be reaching out as far forward as you can. Balancing on a board can be a difficult thing to start out with. I used to surf and quit for more than 11 years and when I restarted I had some problems staying on a board initially so don't worry too much. lay on the board and grab the front part and try to adjust your position so that you feel balanced then try not to lean one way or the other but reach forward and pull back toward you keeping your hands under the surface of the board. So don't try to keep your hands to the side of the board. If you are a swimmer try to keep a normal swimming motion but avoid the board and then pull back under the board.

[IB_Surfer]

Wear a rashguard or a wetsuit top. My beginner bud had the same problem, he was small and skinny and, well, simply slipped off when he was trying to learn. He bought a neoprene top and that did the trick

[dtc]

If you do feel like you are falling off, stick your feet over the side into the water (ie spread your legs a bit - keep then straight etc, just wider). That will give you extra stability until you are balanced again. No use paddling with them in the water though.

Also dont rock back and forth, only your arms/shoulders move. As old man says, paddle straight forward.