Surfing Waves

so im not new to surfing, but i still have problems paddling into waves. When i start paddling i get into the wave, but it just starts to ride under me and im not sure if i just need to stand up on the board earlier or what. Ive been attempting to surf for over a year and its been on 9-10 ft. boards and the problem isnt that im tired paddling, its just that the wave never picks up the board and takes it. I have been thinking about switching to a smaller board like a fun board about 6'7'' and i was wondering if this would make the situation worse or if trying to manuver a smaller board would be easier even if it is less stable and takes more power? Thanks for ur help in advance

How big are the waves? What type of waves? Sounds like it might be small rollers that you are catching. My wife had a problem of either pearling or having the wave roll through every time. What was happening was that she stopped paddling too early, thereby either having the wave roll through or she got caught under as it broke and pitched her forward. She eliminated this by paddling an extra 3-4 strokes before she stood up, allowing the wave to take her more cleanly. Seemed to solve the problem. You might want to try that. Also you might want to look at your paddling stroke. Maybe you aren't getting enough power into it to generate enough speed. A lesson would probably help.

Good luck.

If you go for a shorter board the spot in which you can pick up the wave is smaller and getting to your feet is harder(and staying) also its harder to catch it in the first place.

So basicaly its harder with a shorty.

Your probably best checking out the learners section because it has a efw of these posts in it near the top already.

You are either sitting too far out the back, or not paddling enough. Or, the waves are just too small (they would have to be really small not to catch them on a 10' board).

Try to paddle more until it does pick you up. You'll know it's got you because you won't have to paddle anymore to keep going. If you keep paddling and it still does not pick you up, then you are simply too far out. So, try sitting a little closer to the breaking zone.

Just keep making adjustments and you'll figure it out soon enough.
Good luck!

Where you are at on the board also plays a factor. Too far back on the board and it will pass you up. Too far forward and you will pearl. You need to find that happy medium. You also need to get your speed matching the speed of the wave. Paddle fster and harder, deep strokes.

A shorter board is only going to make it harder. Get this part down then go to a shorter board.

Driftingalong wrote:You are either sitting too far out the back, or not paddling enough. Or, the waves are just too small (they would have to be really small not to catch them on a 10' board).

Try to paddle more until it does pick you up. You'll know it's got you because you won't have to paddle anymore to keep going. If you keep paddling and it still does not pick you up, then you are simply too far out. So, try sitting a little closer to the breaking zone.

Just keep making adjustments and you'll figure it out soon enough.
Good luck!

If its small wave days, I think Drifting along probably has nailed it. You are probably sitting too far out back. Try coming in 15-20ft or so closer to shore. Stick to small wave day (say < 4ft max) and get alot of repetitions to advance your skills. Plus beginners don't quite have the good eye yet to pick out the large set waves coming in versus the more average waves (larger set waves will break further out to sea than the more avg. ones rolling in). Most of the experienced surfers will sit out further and wait for where the large waves will break and won't choose the smaller waves (which won't break where they are sitting). If you are like me (beginner/less experienced) you are choosing the wrong waves to paddle in on based on your location of where you are sitting (hanging out back with the experienced surfers). Stick with the longboard, surfing only small wave days and sit closer to shore and you'll get advanced quickly (and have alot more fun/ less frustration as well).

I have a VERY similar problem. I can catch broken water no problem, but unbroken waves are my bugbear. What would be really handy is if one of the more experienced surfers here could paddle out with me and really point out / explain the whole positioning thing.

Hopefully there'll be enough surf at the summer meet, and someone who'll help me!

Concerning position on the board, if you miss a wave, move a little further forward next time. If you pearl, move a little further back.

Start paddling sooner, paddle harder, and keep paddling longer. I remember one day when learning, I wasn't catching waves, and someone told me that I was giving up too soon. I'm very grateful for that advice, since I caught a lot more waves once I stopped giving up too soon.

Finally, perhaps you are trying to catch the wave too early.

what you do is put your hand in the water. pull it backwards. as you finish with one hand put your other hand in the water and do the same. keep doing this and magically the board moves. now you're paddling.

surferdude_scarborough wrote:what you do is put your hand in the water. pull it backwards. as you finish with one hand put your other hand in the water and do the same. keep doing this and magically the board moves. now you're paddling.

no sh*t sherlock...

out of curiosity, do most people here paddle like that, or does anyone do both hands simutaneously (Like butterfly stroke) ?

well, sometimes i use both arms, but thats only if i'm desperate to get on a wave and about to miss it, but apparrently its ineffective and tires you out more? but i dont know

Try kicking a little to get in. When the waves are mushy, around me it is allways mushbergers, I give a couple of kicks to help get me in the wave. Some peolpe don't like to kick their feet on a Surfboard to get into a Wave, but I'll use any resource I got to get me in. Also, I agree with others on here about body posistioning. Too far back, and the Waves goes right by you. Also you need to shift your weight as the Wave starts to pick you up. As the waves starts to move you, put more pressure on your chest, kind of roll your weight forward, and then jump up when the board starts to lift in the back. Hope this helps ya out some.