Surfing Waves

Hi all, been surfing for a few years now.. I spent alot of time in the water when i started to learn when i lived in oz.. Back in england now and only get out 5 or 6 times a year.. I started out wanting to get a short board but an experienced surfer i know told me to get a longboard and learn to walk before i run. I bought a mini mal.. Hated it.. So i went out and bought a big old 9 6" and started catching loads of waves. I can get up on lots of different waves but i just don't seem to be able to get the quick turns in to ride along the wave.. I'm fed up of being a whitewash warrior and don't really get enough time for lessons or have the disposable to pay .. Violins please.. Is it time to get a shorter board.. I fancy buying a retro smaller board like a spoon or a fish.. I used to skateboard at a good level when i was younger and can pump through bowls etc.. Can someone please point me in the right direction?! Thanks a heap.. Chris

*editted to remove SHOUTY CAPITALS*

If you're only going 5 times a year, then forget about shortboards. You'll never be able to have fun on a shortboard - you'll spend the whole time trying to get used to it again. You need to be out there 3 or 4 times a week to shortboard with any competence.

A fish is also a complete waste of time for a newbie.

Being a 'whitewash warrior' (good phrase, like it) is nothing to do with the board. Get out back, ride a clean face consistently, learn to turn properly... if you can do all that and then still want a shortboard, then it might be time to think about it.

Thanks for the feed back man..

One thing which i found helped me significantly when i was struggling to get onto clean faces is to simply look at where you're wanting to go and not your board when you're popping up (also helps you reduce the amount of times you'll nose dive). Looking where you want to go naturally twists your body in that direction i think so you start turning already from the get go.