Having problems with the take off - help

[frustrated surfer]

Hi,

Need help. I have been surfing for awhile and have yet to catch a clean wave. Everytime I stand up, I lose all momentum and fall right off. I don't know if i am not catching the wave or that i am turning too hard at the the take off and kicking myself off the wave. Should I try to ride the wave straight for a few seconds after my take off and then try to turn?????

Please help......anybody....any comments...
Thank you all

[surf patrol]

It sounds like you may not be catching the wave. I suggest next time that you go out that you spend some time practising catching the waves.
Paddle out as normal and paddle into the waves like you have been doing but forget about standing up - just try to ride the waves while lying on your board. You'll know as soon as you have caught a wave because you'll feel it. Once you have caught the wave, stop paddling and lean into the shoulder of the wave, let the wave do all the work and just ride it in.
This will get you used to how much paddling you have to do to catch a wave and you'll soon be able to judge when you can stop paddling and start trying to get up.

[sinistapenguin]

Everything SurfPatrol said is true (the man is a fount of knowledge), but I would add that weight is a key issue. The tail of your board acts like a brake, so you need to keep some weight over the front to keep momentum.

You will have to watch this as you get to your feet.

That said, SurfPatrol's point is valid. The most common cause of coming over the back is not quite catching the wave. It happens to us all and is frustrating. You always think - one more paddle and I'd have had it!!.

Follow SP's suggestion, after a couple of waves, you will learn to spot when you have caught the wave.

Most importantly - keep trying.

Cheers

Sinista