Surfing Waves

i just moved to newport beach i'm 6'0 165lbs and I just went out today for the first time since i was 8 years old. 13 years ago.

Anyways i put my leash on, and paddled out. i couldn't even balance trying to sit up on the board waiting for the wave. I tried to sit right in the center, but it seemed either it popped out in front of me, or behind me, or i tipped off to the side. I didn't even think about riding the waves.

I was told this is a good beginner board, referred to as a "gun" measuring 7'6 and fairly wide.

any tips for a newbie?

Having trouble sitting is normal. Just like every other operation in surfing, it takes some practice. For a long time my bloody hamstrings would cramp up while sitting on the board. Just keep paddling around, and lay on the board more until you can sit on it. There's no rule that you have to sit on it at all. I didn't much until I could do it well. You see a lot of beginners do this.

One thing to try is when you sit, sit farther back on the board so that the nose comes up out of the water. Then lean forward over the board and grab the rails towards the front. Then you're kinda hunched over the board, and have a lower center of gravity. Balance by kicking your feet. This makes it easier, and once you get the hang of that you can lean back and get a more relaxed position. Eventually you won't need your hands on the board at all.

I'm no expert, and someone else can weigh in but the board size sounds ok for your weight unless it is really narrow in the back like a true gun. If you keep having problems, try something larger.

Anyway, your experience is normal. It can take a few days (hell, WEEKS for me) of paddling around out there until you can control the board well enough to catch waves much. Keep it up, it is well worth the trouble!

gun is not a beginner board. if the front side is a sharpy point, its a board for those big day. If its like a half-egg shape, then it is a beginner board.

pkbum wrote:gun is not a beginner board. if the front side is a sharpy point, its a board for those big day. If its like a half-egg shape, then it is a beginner board.

Sums it up. It sounds like you have a big wave gun, hate to say it but invest in a malibu (longboard). That's not to say your investment is put to waste, you can use it when you get better and want to tackle to bigger sets. Personally it took me a day to learn how to sit, but then again I had a huge foam board . The key is finding the sweet spot on the board, somewhere near the center.

newportjunkie wrote:any tips for a newbie?

1st ditch the 'gun'. Honestly. If it is a gun then its so the wrong board.

Even a good surfer doesnt take a gun out unless ifs big waves.

Get a 9ft+ mal.

And sitting on your board, actualy at first, any sort of balance on a board, isnt easy, dont think because eevryone else in the lineup is doing it you can do it without much effort.

It'll be a whole lot easier though not on the gun.

I was told this is a good beginner board, referred to as a "gun" measuring 7'6 and fairly wide

who on earth told you that?????

Like others have said dithc the gun and get a longboard / mal

the guy selling it to me, go figure..

Show us a picture...

At 7'6 and 'pretty wide' it could either be

- A gun. Totally unsuitable for learning on.

- A mini-mal, which the guy has mis-described. This is very suitable for someone to learn on.

People often call their mini-mals something else as mini-mals are pretty much the least cool boards out there... but they're still the best to learn on.

So there's hope yet - but show us the board and we'll be able to tell you for sure.

newportjunkie wrote:the guy selling it to me, go figure..

hahahahahaha that guys needed to sell in whatever way he can. Whenever you buy a product always research it before buying.

Find the guy and say "Click click pull". He totally took advantage of you if it is a gun.

LOLRuss gave you the perfect tip - sit further back and then lean forward a little bit and hold the rails (the sides) of your board. After reading his comment, I remember that's what I did a lot when I was first getting used to my board. It kept me and my board more stable and I think after about a week I didn't feel like I was sitting on a wildly rocking boat the whole time. And everyone still loses their balance once in a while. I love when you hear a splash and look around and someone fell off and is laughing about it.

Also, you never answered whoever asked: does the front of your board narrow off into a sharp point (gun) or is it about the same width of the rest of your board and totally rounded at the end (egg). Hopefully he just didn't know what he was saying when he told you it was a gun and you actually have a funboard/minimal. =)

I have a 7'6 funboard and am 5'11/137 (I'm a girl if you can't tell my the handle). I think you might find it a little challenging to learn on. Not impossible, but probably a longer learning curve than if you had something that was at least 8ft. Maybe rent a foam board for an afternoon just to get some practice catching stuff and popping up?

Also, you never answered whoever asked: does the front of your board narrow off into a sharp point (gun) or is it about the same width of the rest of your board and totally rounded at the end (egg). Hopefully he just didn't know what he was saying when he told you it was a gun and you actually have a funboard/minimal. =)

True i purchased a mal ages ago that was advertised as a gun i didnt care as i knew what it was i was buying

Maybe rent a foam board for an afternoon just to get some practice catching stuff and popping up?

Tats a very good idea it at least gives you some introduction foamers are good for an afternoon and thats about it though