When to start paddling?

[kyleisanoob12]

I went surfing in Hawaii this past summer, and got a lesson before I went out on my own. The instructors told the group when to start paddling and to stand up, and I mean it was super fun and awesome. Except when I went out by myself, I was paddling way to early and I know that now, but at the time, I thought it was right. This resulted in me almost drowning twice in the time span of about 30 minutes. How far away a distance from the wave is a good distance before you start paddling? I swear I was 50 feet away from a wave when I started. I think I know when to stand up, but really just need to work on when to start paddling. Thanks

[Big H]

I want to hear more about the almost drowning part....


....as for the rest, that's what surfing is....timing, positioning, being able to read the waves and determine where you can and cannot get in, being able to hold that position and return to it after riding a wave....what you're asking basically is how to surf.....there is ALOT that goes into it; maybe another lesson is in order?

[waikikikichan]

You can't just say "50 feet" is when you should start paddling. We are dealing with Nature, not a Machine that's acts exactly the same every time. There's so many factors... How big is the wave, is it a beach break or reef break, is the wind on-shore or off shore, is the tide going out or coming in ? And that's just talking about the wave/ocean. What about your first wave and a wave 1 hour later ? A big factor you may be missing is not the Timing for catching a wave, but the Positioning ( where you should be to catch the wave ). If your smack dab in the middle, maybe the wave is just dumping straight on you. Or maybe you are off the point and the wave is too fast to get on already.

You should have 3 things to catch a wave. Power, Position and Timing. You NEED at least 2 off the 3. You may not have Power ( small girl ) but can make up for it with good timing and good positioning.