beginner technique for take off

[hcfkavh]

Hi,

I'm sure this technique was cover in previous threads I'm just not sure what it's called. I apologize if there are numerous threads on this technique. I see a lot of the "good" surfers at my break using the technique where you attempt to submerge the board vertically (tail first) and just as the buoyancy pushes the board back up a breast stroke kick is added for extra propulsion to catch the wave effortlessly. I noticed they grab the rails closer to the nose and do this technique close to the peak of the wave and just glide before pop up. My problem...I'm using an 8'0 board, and my arms are too short to reach close to the nose. Is there any way around this? I tried sitting as far back towards the tail as possible but that just puts my reach further from the nose. I was trying it the whole time in between sets yesterday and looking like a fool. I guess any advice would help at this point. Thanks!

[jaffa1949]

Your real problem is; you are neglecting a basic set of skills, being able to paddle onto the waves , having the strength, understanding the timing and being able to read the waves and combine that into catching waves easily.

"catching waves with minimal paddling

Postby hcfkavh » Thu Sep 05, 2013 2:30 am
hi i've been surfing for a couple months consistently and have been able to catch a majority of waves i attempt. however, every time i'm out there's always 1 or 2 longboarders that can catch waves with just 2-4 paddles. does that come with just practice or is there some technique involved? i notice they're close to the peak of the wave and after a few effortless paddles they still manage to catch the wave late. on the other hand i'm paddling much early on and even then there are some that just pass me."

You seem to think that you can match skill with surfers who have been doing it for years, you can if you put in the time .
No advice needed. just do your basics

[IB_Surfer]

I weigh 200lbs so my board are a little more floaty. I can't sink the board to catch waves, even with my 6'2. I can turn and burn on a dime, but still can't sink to catch. Maybe skill, maybe my big boards, but after 15 years of surfing I stopped trying

[dtc]

To to a submerge/no paddle takeoff requires you to be in exactly the right spot, to take off at exactly the right time (no paddling means you can't fix it if you are in the wrong spot or get the timing wrong) and have the skill to do a fast pop up because you are catching the wave late.

Basically you need to have a lot of experience and skill to be able to do all three things; most of us dont and may never have. So, as the others have said, its not really worth trying at the moment. Give yourself 5+ years of surfing 3 or 4 times a week then try again.