Surfing Waves

I'm practicing on the white water and doing well at popping up and standing. I tried to go out and actually catch a couple of waves but I either miss them or I get thrown nose down and flip over. What am I doing wrong? Maybe I'm not ready to graduate from white water?

Yeah, you're ready - it's all part of the learning curve

Its all about positioning - miss the wave, you're too far back... nose dive, you're too far forward.
As well as experimenting with position on the board, you need to arch your back as you paddle and catch the wave - if your board tips forward when you're not arching your back, but the nose pops out the water when you do, you're in the right position.
So when the wave comes, you paddle and adjust your weight forward to catch the wave, and then arch your back as it starts to take you... and then pop up immediately.

Great advice from drowningbitbybit, poisitioning on the board is key and paddle paddle paddle like a pit bull was on your arse, arch your back and pop up then comes a life long passion of pure stoke.

Also a mistake I was making was,even though i was laying in the right place on the board! When putting my hands on the board to pop up! I positioned them to far forward,(near my shoulders) which put extra weight on the front making me nose dive! when realising my hands shouldve been near my rib area, I improved.

Thanks for the advice. I will try next time I'm out. Wish me luck