Catching waves and turtle roll

[Mayday981]

Hi everybody,

So it's been about a month since I started surfing. Since then I've gotten a good number of the foundation down for surfing. I've also just switched to a fiberglass board instead of the soft top. This forum has helped me a lot in focusing and overcoming my issues with learning the skills to be a good surfer. There are just a couple of things that I'm still stuck on:

1) I use to have a problem paddling fast enough to catch waves. Now after a month I seem to be paddling too fast and I've found myself too forward ahead of the wave. When that happens, should I just stop paddling or paddle slower to catch it? Also is there anything else I could do besides letting the wave just land on me?

2) I'm still trying to master the turtle roll. For some reason, there are times when I do the turtle roll and I go backwards. I've searched the forum and read the guide on this website. I do put my hands around the middle of the board but I keep flipping back. Now I'm thinking maybe I'm doing the turtle roll too late. So usually I do the turtle roll about 3-4 feet before the wave is about to hit me. Should I be doing it sooner or should I wait until I'm right where the wave is about to land? So basically should I be performing the turtle roll right when the wave lands on me?

Thanks in advance for your help guys.

[surf patrol]

I'm not a longboarder so cannot help with the turtle roll.
As for paddling to fast, you'll have to make some paddling adjustments. You've probably got stronger and improved your paddling technique, so it's all good.
You could simply start paddling later, you'll be able to get the speed to catch the wave much quicker than when you first started. You could start paddling more slowly so you don't get to far ahead of the wave (but what would be the point). If you are having real problems, start further out.

This is something you'll overcome pretty quickly. Use your judgement, keep a good eye on the incoming wave and time your paddle accordingly.

[travelzomg]

paddling into a wave is a lot about timing and positioning... basically, if you get the timing right, not more than 3 - 6 strokes are needed to get into the wave... its realy all about trying and learning by doing.
as soon as you turn into the wave, give it 2 - 3 strong strokes to get your momentum, keep going with some light strokes, so you wont lose your momentun against the wave.. as soon as you feel the tail of your board starting to lift up from the waves, you give all you can in 4 - 6 very strong strokes... you will get sucked back and up the wave but as soon as you feel the first push on the tail of your board, add another 2 strong strokes and then pop up and take the drive down the wave...

about turtlerolling... you hold your board waaaay to far back.. you realy should hold it about 10 - 15 inches from the nose tip... when you turn into the roll and pull the board towards your chest, the nose of the board should be right about the top of your head (the more board you have "above" your head, the more space the wave has to "attack" and the more force it will transfer onto the board.. thats also why you turn your head away while pulling the board towards you, so you wont get smacked in the face...
also important is, that you turn straight into the wave and pull the board as close to you as you can... the more crooked you are, the more space is between you and your board, the more will the wave throw you backwards...
the closer you are, the straighter you are, the more torpedo-shaped you will become towards the water, and it will simply flush around you, leaving you pretty much in the same spot as before...
and try to get it just before the wave comes down on you.. you should allready be upsidedown with the board by your chest when the wave breaks...

[tonylamont]

This is far and away the most detailed break-down on turtle rolling I've found on the web. Go to the "Paddling Out" podcast. The turtle rolling discussion begins at about 6:00 in.

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

[Mayday981]

This is why I love this site. Thanks for all the information guys. Unfortunately I was so busy with work so I didn't have time to execute your suggestions. However I am planning to go this week to surf.

Also, thanks for the turtle roll video. I never thought I was supposed to be lying vertical and perpendicular to the board. I thought I was supposed to roll over horizontal and parallel with the board. I'm going to try this when I go out next time!