Realistic goals

[RinkyDink]

2. Paddle hard with the three extra. Check

I have read different guides for paddling to catch a wave (5 hard strokes then popup, etc.), but I suggest the best way to think about catching a wave, all no-paddle takeoffs aside, is to work on matching the speed of the wave you want to catch. If I were going to teach someone to surf, I would have them paddle alongside me for the same wave. It might even be worthwhile for new surfers to paddle way past the impact zone and then work on racing the waves out back to the impact zone. I have never tried to paddle in front of a wave to see if I could always stay in front of it as it approached the impact zone, but that would probably be a good way to develop an understanding of the kind of paddle speed you need to get into waves.

[dtc]

a potentially useful way to think about catching waves is that its partly the paddling and partly the gravity. In fact, most of the time you are paddling to a spot that allows you to use gravity to get you down the face of the wave - thats what actually allows you to catch the wave (ie you going down the slope). There are some exceptions sort of - like when you hold the cobra pose just waiting for the wave to steepen enough to pop up; but again even here you are waiting until you are in the place that allows you to use gravity to catch the wave (you just dont have to paddle the whole time)

In any case, the 'extra paddles' concept is really 'dont stop when you think you have caught the wave, because you actually need to be heading down the wave to use gravity'

[Big H]

a potentially useful way to think about catching waves is that its partly the paddling and partly the gravity. In fact, most of the time you are paddling to a spot that allows you to use gravity to get you down the face of the wave - thats what actually allows you to catch the wave (ie you going down the slope). There are some exceptions sort of - like when you hold the cobra pose just waiting for the wave to steepen enough to pop up; but again even here you are waiting until you are in the place that allows you to use gravity to catch the wave (you just dont have to paddle the whole time)

In any case, the 'extra paddles' concept is really 'dont stop when you think you have caught the wave, because you actually need to be heading down the wave to use gravity'

Never did like the extra paddles concept....was better for my own process to learn to catch waves, then remember the feeling of when you are "in" then stop paddling when you get that feeling.....not really a easy concept to pass along to raw neginners though.

[waikikikichan]

5 hard strokes then popup, 3 extra , blah blah is all robotic dance steps. You need to always adapt to the situation as every wave is different.
The biggest problem is that beginners stand up too early, so I tell them "CATCH the wave FIRST,...... Then stand up."
But approach paddling and catching a wave like trying to pick up a girl at the bar. If she's running away from you, you've already lost your chance. If your normal pick up line ( paddle ) isn't working, switching up things up ( trying to paddle harder ) ain't going to work on her ( or the wave ). You got ONE chance to make a first impression.

[Tudeo]

a potentially useful way to think about catching waves is that its partly the paddling and partly the gravity.

Exactly! I try to time it so the wave hits me with the right angle. Even from a standstill I then can get in with 1 or 2 strokes only. With help of gravity u can really grab and hold on to the water and pull ur board in the wave.

[Oldie]

a potentially useful way to think about catching waves is that its partly the paddling and partly the gravity.

Exactly! I try to time it so the wave hits me with the right angle. Even from a standstill I then can get in with 1 or 2 strokes only. With help of gravity u can really grab and hold on to the water and pull ur board in the wave.

Yes! That made so much of a difference for me. When you start in the white water, you are used to being pushed forward by the broken wave, and at first I did not understand that this is not happening at all in unbroken waves. Understanding the concept of paddling downhill with the help of gravity and getting to feel it made such a difference to my wave catching success. I like the surf simply film about it, I think it has been linked here quite often already, but anyway:

[Tudeo]

Also, when you've got the feel for the right angle, u can just stop paddling when the wave reaches you and the angle for gravity didn't build up the way you thought it would. No more useless paddle sprints! Well, not so many anymore..

[Silvery]

Thanks all again for the input, I was watching a guy's take off for an hour at guethary yesterday and thinking about the gravity posts It makes sense.
I foolishly tried a six foot ish wave at tones the other day and pearled badly that knocked the wind out of me then when I got to the surface got a another on the head straight away, shook me up a bit.
Off to bidart in a while, looks more suitable there.

[Silvery]

Went to guethary south bay as bidart was flat. Felt like I was getting it until cut my big toe on rocks submerged just under.
Moved to the vendee and went out at brem s/mer yesterday mid to high pushing tide and got nowhere, went same place today on a mid to low gentle off shore three ft and got my first green wave then another, ended up with five.
So what I did different, few gentle strokes to get in position, looking back at the wave, feeling the tail lifting then putting in a few hard paddles and popping up soon as I was in,used to leave it far too long before.
Thanks all of you for those posts that really made my green day today.

[Silvery]

I'm off to North Devon tomorrow for a couple of weeks so hopefully can continue where I left off.

[Silvery]

Didn't get in till Tuesday day after the tail end of the storm, relentless white water coming in so just practised on white water and reforms.
Wednesday late afternoon gentle off shore high tide lovely peeling walls 2/4 ft absolutely ferfect for me.
Today same spot /time, same peeling walls but howling cross shore, I cound't really handle it the same as yesterday but still enjoyed it

[Silvery]

Had a three hour session and two hour session on thursday and Friday, both on gentle peeling 2 ft walls, caught quite a few green waves but no real progress trying to turn though thinking about it the answer waikiki gave in a thread on the surfboard topics about engagement of the back foot over the fins would help.
I except I'm never going to 'rip' with the limited water time I get but having a great time when I get out.

[jaffa1949]

Early days, but your last sentence covers it, the more you love surfing , each surf is its own reward, often just one “special wave”

[Silvery]

Back from another couple of weeks in North Devon and got my first and one and only ride across the green on a 2/3 ft wave, so smooth and magical to anything I've had previously, I really can't explain how I managed it though

[Silvery]

I gave France a miss this year with the crap pound and brexit stuff so had 6 weeks in Devon and Cornwall. Managed to get across the face of the wave in 2 to 3 foot anything larger I seem to struggle. Seems like small progress but when I look back to when I started 3 years ago I can definitely see the slow progress. Roll on 5 weeks time for my next session.

[jaffa1949]

Nice to see your return and progress

[BaNZ]

I gave France a miss this year with the crap pound and brexit stuff so had 6 weeks in Devon and Cornwall. Managed to get across the face of the wave in 2 to 3 foot anything larger I seem to struggle. Seems like small progress but when I look back to when I started 3 years ago I can definitely see the slow progress. Roll on 5 weeks time for my next session.

If you're in East midlands and close to Cromer, you should try surf there. It can be really good a few times of the year. Beats driving to Devon/Cornwall. I used to surf Cromer a lot.

[Silvery]

Cromer is a three hour drive woolacombe four and half so going for a couple of weeks it makes sense to go to North Devon for the consistency of the waves. A long weekend at Cromer would be a change if I could time it with being able to get away when it's on.

[steveylang]

I think you should really only focus on the next immediate goal and enjoy that process, rather than giving yourself a deadline or expectations for stuff that's further down the road. So your current goal of consistently catching and riding green waves is a great one, regardless of how long or how short it takes. Achieving that goal is what's going to help you get ready for what's next after that, but only when you are consistently catching and riding green waves.

Saying you also want to do cutbacks or vertical snaps or whatever isn't really going to make it faster IMO, and only emphasizes the things you can't do in the water right now, when you can focus on and enjoy the things you can do, and the next immediate steps that are currently just beyond your grasp.

And then post here when you feel you are stuck with anything in your surfing...

[Silvery]

Yes indeed. Good advice, just getting into riding across the face now something to be honest is a goal I thought was probably beyond me a year or two ago. Small steps big fun.