Paddling out..

[ninjah]

I can't seem to paddle out to where the other surfers are so I just surf the small waves close to the shore, which makes me look like a complete newb, but I don't care.

But one day I hope to go out to where the others are, I have tried but I can't seem to get past the waves, I can't duck dive my board because it's like 7' and the nose is really wide. Also because I'm not the biggest guy.

I've tried turtle rolling, but I must be doing it wrong be cause I just keep getting pushed back.

Any tips for swimming out a little further?

I don't plan on swimming out to where everyone else is just yet, because I don't think I can handle those huge waves, I want to take baby steps, but it would help to figure out how to get past the waves better.

Thanks a lot everybody.

[Jonny_H]

Check this site out:

http://www.surfsimply.com/podcast/

There is a podcast about paddling out on a longboard - shows some good techniques and also a nice video on turtle rolling.

[ninjah]

Interesting site, thanks a lot!

[BoarderDave]

Yeah.. you just gotta learn to get through the breaking waves and you'll enjoy much better rides and progress once you can get out to the real waves. Have fun. Good luck!

[billie_morini]

ninjah,
this is where a mentor or tips from an experienced surfer can be very helpful. Failing that, stand on the beach awhile and figure out when the waves roll in, when they are not (or less so), and how they form. Experienced surfers expend very little energy getting out back. They'll wait until there are fewer or no waves coming in before paddling out. They go between waves where two swells haven't met to form one solid wall of water. When half way out, they'll wait between swells in the trough until there are no or fewer waves coming.

I used to surf a lot at Dillon Beach in northern California. The waves can be constant there. In winter, they just keep coming in a nearly endless set. There was a surfer there that grew up there. I used to watch him for long periods. He would do the things I told you about above and always reminded me of the way a lizard runs across boulders and other surfaces. He / they move, then pause. He /they move again at the right time, then pause. Then it happens again. In addition to this kind of action, the surfer didn't go straight into the oncoming waves. He went kind of parallel to the shore / longshore current.

So, I recommend you watch guys like this very closely. Hopefully, you will learn from observation much better than I did.

[jumpmonkey]

perseverance. i had (still do sometimes) the same problem, i think eventually you get better at timeing your efforts, and your paddling muscles get bigger. keep at it, one day you'll make it out back! and then maybe wish you hadn't!

[ninjah]

I did make it out on Thursday, I turtle rolled and paddled out as hard as I could I made it out completely a few times and rode like half a wave.

As I said I usually ride a funboard, but I also tried my friends shortboard....HOLY HELL. it's so squirrely, I'm glad I got the funboard.

[PredationSA]

I was surfing a 7.4" at one point and i was able to duck dive it believe it or not but on the days that i just couldn't crack those dives, i generally waited for the set to die and then just power it (basically what billie is saying). You don't realize how much energy you waste by trying to get out on some days without just a taking a bit of time to watch the waves, i learned that the hard way and i still do it

[billie_morini]

Hooray for ninjah!
Hey, ninja. Where do you surf?

[ninjah]

I surf at easy spots like venice, santa monica, and zuma, I heard sunset on a good day was good for beginners also.