shortboard progression

[IronLion]

I use to surf a 7' 6" fun board and then I switched to a 6' Al merrick. I am catching waves fine and I have my bottom turns down. The next step I figure I would go is to work on cut backs, but I dont even know where to begin. I watch videos and try to learn that way but I have a problem getting my board to make the quick turns. I am sure its just because I dont have the technique or feeling down yet. Maybe I am not leaning into it properly, but I didnt know if the board may be a problem too. I am only 5' 7" and I weigh about 145 lbs. Should I have gotten a smaller board or is this fine? I dont have any patience so I know I should probably just keep practicing. Any advice would be great. Thanks

[trifish]

Surfing is a sport of patience, just takes practice. I think the board size you went with is fine. Im 5'9" and surf a 6'2" shortboard and a 6'3" shortboard. I would just try going down the face of the wave first and getting your pumping down and your speed up. Ride up to the lip then back down then back up then back down, etc.. Check your foot position and make sure they are not to far forward on the baord. Also if your trying to turn really sharp try holding on to a rail and leaning the way you want to go. Seems like your headed in the right direction, just takes alot of water time.

[sinistapenguin]

Here's a tip - keep your centre of gravity low, get nice and low to the board. Now rotate your shoulders in the direction you want to go. Try and get them as far round as possible. This puts the pressure in roughly the right places through your feet. Once you've got that down, you can play around with feet position and weightings until you find your own style.

Another tip is this: if you are a regular foot - take a left handed bottom turn, this is more difficult, but sets you up for a fronthand cutback!!

[isaluteyou]

the 6'0 will be fine for now. At a later date given your height and weight you could drop down to a 5'10 or therabouts but thats dpendant on how well you are progressing and the types of waves you surf. Stick with the 6'0 now and when you are feeling comfortable go chat to a shaper