Surfing Waves

a) exhausted from paddling / unconditioned
b) trouble popping up / falling over instantly
c) getting pounded by waves when paddling out
d) keep missing waves / poor wave selection
e) other
For me its actually the combination of a/c/d.
First I frequently try to catch a wave where I've probably not selected the right wave and start my paddle from the wrong place. Then after paddling hard I usually miss the wave. Then as I turn the board around and try to get back out, a wave crashes on me. Then usually exhausted I have to paddle back out frantic so I don't get dumped again being in a bad spot. Then when I get out-back, its usually 5-10 minutes of rest. I think next time I go surfing, I'm going to try my takeoff paddle point a little closer to shore than my normal assessment. Hopefully that will work better.

Poor Wave Selection, and frequently flying over the nose of the board are my peevs. With my new board though, I'm pretty sure the latter won't happen as much.

probably a
even though as a begginer i never really had any problems.

Well, sometimes (a) & (c) result to (d), but in general none of these issues is really a problem. As you get better you learn to deal with them, to some extend at least. Biggest problem is that weekends & waves don't always coincide so I end up going surfing 2 to 4 times a month. That really slows progress down, I can't imagine how good it would be if I got to spend a week somewhere with consistent surf.
Stll, I find myself loving every part of this long process.

Remember, its supposed to be fun

Getting frustrated makes you surf worse, tightens up your muscles so you're more likely to injure yourself, and makes you forget all the things you're supposed to be doing. And worst of all it means you're not having fun.

If you're getting really frustrated then its time to quit for the day - find an easier break, or wait until the waves are smaller/cleaner/whatever.

Frustartion really sucks, been there done that (who am I kidding? Still go there, still do it), but that one green face on the right wave on the right day makes it all worthwhile

Although I frequently miss waves or end pearling, that doesn't bother me too much. The thing I dread is paddling out. I STILL havn't got the hang of duckdiving my 7"2 mini-mal, and it seems to take an age to get out. And on more than one occasion I've got caught in a nasty impact zone.

But once I'm out back, it's all more than worth it

Adrenaline Fueled wrote:Although I frequently miss waves or end pearling, that doesn't bother me too much. The thing I dread is paddling out. I STILL havn't got the hang of duckdiving my 7"2 mini-mal, and it seems to take an age to get out. And on more than one occasion I've got caught in a nasty impact zone.

But once I'm out back, it's all more than worth it

I'd agree with that, I don't mind constantly wiping out or missing waves as I see that as part of the learning process, but I do get frustrated trying to paddle out! But as you say Adrenaline, once you're out back, it's worth it!

sal wrote:

Adrenaline Fueled wrote:Although I frequently miss waves or end pearling, that doesn't bother me too much. The thing I dread is paddling out. I STILL havn't got the hang of duckdiving my 7"2 mini-mal, and it seems to take an age to get out. And on more than one occasion I've got caught in a nasty impact zone.

But once I'm out back, it's all more than worth it

I'd agree with that, I don't mind constantly wiping out or missing waves as I see that as part of the learning process, but I do get frustrated trying to paddle out! But as you say Adrenaline, once you're out back, it's worth it!

Definitely agree with that! Im still fighting to get out the back, just that duck diving is next to impossible of my mal :S

has to be paddling - getting too physically exhausted to surf!

Would have to be b although it doesnt really frustrate me, just annoys me every now and again when I let it get to me!
I dont really have too much of a problem paddling, but it's the balance that kills me as soon as I pop up! I get to my feet no problem at all but my time standing up on the board lasts somewhere between 0 and 5 seconds depending on how lucky I am
I know I'll get it some day though!

(Not just a beginner frustration, but...)

Having to get out because it's too dark. Then walking up the beach, turning around and peering into the darkness knowing there are near perfect waves peeling down the line.

what i really hate is getting caught on the inside. i.e catching the first wave in the set and then spending the nest 6 or 7 ducking like crazy. not fun in big surf

I think i picked up on everything else pretty well, except for the duck dive or turtle roll, depending on your board. I hated getting pounded by the waves. it would send me back like ten feet to charge again.

C - that will cause me to give up and leave

I dont mind falling off my board at all - it means Ive actually managed to get on it!!

All of the above

and 'e other'

falling of my board whilst waiting for a wave, I just cant sit on my board even when its real flat

a - im a lazy xxxx and never do any excercise other than surfing so im fleshed if i go out when i havent surfed for a while.

and e other. leaving zip on wetsuit partially undone while surfing in the north sea in february and not realising for an hour and 45 mins!!

id have to say "a". but i figure the more i do the more conditioned for it i'll get. as far as the falling off and such, i dont mind that as much, i guess its better to be falling off into the ocean than sitting down at my desk at work.

trying to find people who want to go out there with me, im the only one i know that wants to

i agree with newsurfer girl trying to get some of my mates out is a nightmare they all wana look like surfers but not over keen on being surfers