Paddling into winter waves

[tomboy]

I've been reading some of the past posts, but haven't seen a answer to my question. I'm riding a 9' 6" board.

When surfing in the winter, say 3-5' waves, (last time I surfed in the winter was over 10 years ago!), Should you paddle at the last minute? Paddle on your stomach, or knees? Paddle faster or start sooner than you would on a smaller wave?

Most of my surfing has been on little waves, or shoulder hoping. I understand you have to paddle harder, in bigger waves, but sometimes in summer, we paddle all the way in, just to catch a 2' wave, whats the difference?

thanks

Tomboy

[isaluteyou]

I assume you mean 3-5ft face waves and i assume you mean catching a wave.

Its all about timing really the last thing you want to do is paddle in late and take a plunge but you dont want to paddle too soon and end up paddling too far and have a nice wave break on top of you. Its also got a lot to do with the type of wave if the waves are holding good shape then you can be a little more relaxed. Im not sure about knee paddling i have no experience with that but i would say that a few quick powerfull strokes and you should be on the wave. If however the surf is closing out fast then you are going to have to get into position super quick and do a life or death pop-up.

Like i said its all about timing and it helps if you know your local break normally all it takes is a few dumpers and you will figure it out real quick I would deffinetly let the first few sets go by and read where they are breaking then you should be-able to judge where you should be.

Im sure a longboarder on here will be-able to offer better advice

[Driftingalong]

I would say that you want to get into the wave a early as possible. Sit out further than anyone with a shortboard (or, funboard/mini-mal for that matter). Start paddling early get some speed/momentum going and angle the board into the take-off.
If you're sitting too far in, or a bigger wave comes your way and you find yourself having to take a late drop; try scooching (sp?) back a little on the board, put a few power strokes in and get ready to pop-up fast because that wave is pick your tail up, the nose is going to drop and you get pitched.

PS - I don't know about knee paddling; never tried it. I ride a 9'8" and paddle laying down. If your paddling all the way in to catch those 2 footers; either you're going for the wrong waves, or you're sitting too far out the back.

[tomboy]

thanks for your help

I have always sat a little farther in then the last longboarder outside, so I can get catch the wave easier, but you stand the chance of the other guy getting it, or getting dumped on. I'm havilng trouble with those power strokes

Wish we had some waves here to work on it!

[WooD]

Don't have a clue where this was shot, but I woodn't be paddling into it.

[gdude335]

mm tasty.
also line up with the other longboarders an observe what the experienced ones do.
ive always loved to start really really early to catch the wave before anybody else.

[SoCal WaterSpout]

I would say that's somewhere in the great lakes region. I lived in michigan my whole life until three years ago, and the last two years I lived right on Lake Michigan in a town called Muskegon. In the winter time, that's exactly what the beach looked like. In fact, it was quite beautiful.

[WooD]

Our water temps are now around 58. Too cold for me.

[^*^BATMAN^*^]

Our water temps are now around 58. Too cold for me.

LOL!!! Ours are like 40. The only thing stopping us at some breaks now is shore ice building up. Now we wait for the "big thaw" so we can get back out.

[WooD]

Our water temps are now around 58. Too cold for me.

LOL!!! Ours are like 40. The only thing stopping us at some breaks now is shore ice building up. Now we wait for the "big thaw" so we can get back out.

If it aint at least 60F I keep my @ss on the beach.