Surfing Waves

I have been surfing for 14 years on and off. I live in the Northeast so there is anything but consistent good surf I am ok at turning but I can't make tight turns. I don't know if it is the size of my board or I just need tips on how to do it better? I ride a 6'3" swallow tail and I am a 5'1" female.... any thoughts?

I might be wrong but my tip is to try and compress more before you extend and do a turn maybe lean more onto your back foot, I'm not sure about the surfboard size because I am a 5'3 woman and I have a 6' and a 6'5 swallow tail, your surfboard would be okay if you were just a bit better than a beginner but seen as you are talking about doing turns and tricky moves then maybe you could go a bit shorter in board size. My local board shop told me that a large six is okay doing bottom turns and the occasional top turn but when you are becoming more advanced and linking turns and cutbacks then go for a six foot or shorter, hope this helps! Xx

I am just getting used to new boards (multiple fins) but here is what I think. A swallow tail will turn tightly by sliding the tail but because the tail is wide it is more difficult to carve a tight turn. So push the tail with your back foot when you turn and this will bring the nose around quickly. I found that I could do tight turns with a 9'6" longboard (thruster) by pushing the tail around although a heavier board will require more force to whip it around. (I am 200 pounds) You should hit the turn with your legs bent so you can extend the back leg and push the tail around.

The basic premise is to drive through with your hips and shoulders. Try to look at where you want to go. Apply some pressure on the tail, so you don't dig a rail, and that the front of your board is not touching the water. Like you are on a pivot on the tail. Make sure your pumping and you have enough speed to perform a turn, otherwise you will dig rail and fall over. Hope it helps.

Go to anywebsite with surf video's, watch the pro's, try to pick up pointers.