Surfing Waves

I'm a beginner (started friday, been out every day since), and I've begun to perl a lot. I'm wondering if it's due to me facing directly towards the beach as I face the waves, my position lying on the board, both, or neither. When I put my body further towards the tail of the board, I seem to have this problem less, so maybe that's it...but I just want to check.

what size is your board? check out the forums, there are a lot of topics about pearling, goodluck!

dondiemand wrote:what size is your board?

8'4"

edit: k, you're right. i had to search for 'pearl' instead of 'perl'

In a nutshell, pearling is caused by having the weight too far forward on the board and/or trying to take off on a section thats too steep.

Paddle harder..a lot harder and lean back whilst doing in. Lift your shoulders!

Yeah, pretty much what these guys said...

You're either too far forward, or you don't have enough speed/momentum when the wave picks you up (you need too paddle harder or position your self better). I suppose it could also have to do with taking too long to pop up as well...

How do you prevent pearling since on my shortboard which is around 6"6 and I'm around 5"5 and it still causes me to pearl. I want to start shortboarding but I hate going over the falls so thats why I use my 7"4 funboard. Is it that I have to pop up with my hands by my waist since I dont usually do that. Hopefully you may help me with my pearling problem, thank you.

CastorTroy wrote:

dondiemand wrote:what size is your board?

8'4"

edit: k, you're right. i had to search for 'pearl' instead of 'perl'

Yeah, there are several types of the p-word. To pearl in surfing you all know, to purl in knitting-opposite of knit stitch, and perl- something to do with computer programming.

For sure CastorTroy.. You've got all you need in your post. Angle, lean back, paddle hard...

And most definitely a huge help... time in water practising.. you'll iron out all the rough spots automatically after you get annoyed at missing great waves all the time.

It takes a while to find the sweet spot on each board too. And to know how much to arch your back, leaning back, and being able to read the waves so you can time everything right.

Timing is so important. Looking back and being 'in flow' with the wave.

brr..

All this talking really makes me wana surf bad right now!!

Now someone help with my above post!! plz

Beachbum wrote:Now someone help with my above post!! plz

It's all in the thread, dude...

It's hard to tell you exactly with out watching because there are so many factors that go into it.

Poping-up with your hand by your lower ribs will help. (poping-up faster)
Wave positioning and timing. (You maybe too far inside/taking off too late)
Paddling. (Might not be paddling hard enough)
Positioning on your board. (Might be slightly off balance/good position is critical)

Good advice here. I am furiously taking mental notes...

Question. Several posts have mentioned that you should "lean back" while paddling. How do you lean back, if you're laying flat out on your board?

lift your shoulders back

ok. so i just tried lifting my shoulders back, pretending I was paddling but on my carpet...the best i could do was arch my back somewhat and bring my chin up in order to lift my shoulders back. and that's just barely....

haha i guess it would make more sense if i'm in the water.

thanks, though =)

surfishlife wrote:ok. so i just tried lifting my shoulders back, pretending I was paddling but on my carpet...the best i could do was arch my back somewhat and bring my chin up in order to lift my shoulders back. and that's just barely....

haha i guess it would make more sense if i'm in the water.

thanks, though =)

That's about it...just lift up your chest and chin as much as you can to pull as many of your ribs off/above the board as possible.

You must make sure that when you are popping up that BOTH your feet land on the board at the same time. Pearling can be caused if your front foot lands to much weight first (especially if you are on a heavy wave).

Once landed have most of your weight on your back foot as you are dropping down the wave.

Also you must make sure that when you ar paddling for the wave you are laying on your board correctly (not too far forward, not too far back).

Laguna wrote:Once landed have most of your weight on your back foot as you are dropping down the wave.

I don't know about this one. That can cause you to slow down/stall and end up watching the wave peel down the line with out you.

Not if its a steep heavy wave, you shoot down them sooo fast, you want most of your weight on the back foot for balance and control. Once you are down that face then you can transfer weight to the front foot and start pumping the board along the wave for the ride.

Laguna wrote:You must make sure that when you are popping up that BOTH your feet land on the board at the same time. Pearling can be caused if your front foot lands to much weight first (especially if you are on a heavy wave).

good to know. and thanks for the other guidance too. =) starting out, i was taught to bring the leading foot (left) forward first before bringing up the other (right), but i guess with practice i can get rid of that step?

speaking of popping up, is there a general estimate of how many seconds after you're paddling after a wave that you pop up? and how long does it take you to pop up? (blink of an eye, or ..?)

The biggest cause of pearling is not being in the proper space on your board; i.e. being too far foward when you are laying flat on it.

Typically, and I say typically with a grain of salt, when laying flat on your board, and you put the nose of your face to the board, the logo ends up being right in front of your eyes.

like on these Lost boards: http://www.lostenterprises.com/prod/06MRboards.php

Your eyes should be in the middle / top end of that MR logo.

Now, that's just a guide, but then while you're paddling, the very tip of your board should be up out of the water, not dipping down into (too far forward), and not sticking a couple inches out (too far back).

Popping up... everyone ends up with their own style. Supposively, you're not supposed to grab the rails to pop up, but place your hands on the board.. I grab the rails. Some people go up on a back knee and pull their body from there. But in the end, you should get both your feet on the board at the same time for best perforance and balance.

As for timing.. there is no 'second count'. It's all feel. Once you feel that motion, you know when... the wave has you, and you can feel it. If you don't get up, it's either going to pass you through or you're going to body board the drop before being able to have the opportunity to stand again. But, hey - if you're learning when to stand.. body board it and then stand.. then start playing with the timing and feel.