Learning to surf on a shortboard

The shortboard only forum.

Learning to surf on a shortboard

Postby paulminors » Mon Jan 21, 2008 7:54 am

I have had a few lessons learning to surf on 7ft+ mals boards and have just bought a 6'8 shortboard. been out a few times and haven't grasped the pop up yet! I'm still making the rookie mistake of using my knees! The conditions I've been in havn't been great, a lot of white water! but i need some tips on learning to surf on a shorter board!

thanks[/b]
User avatar
paulminors
New Member
 
Posts: 8
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2008 7:43 am
Location: Auckland, NZ

Postby kitesurfer » Mon Jan 21, 2008 8:04 am

Get a bigger board you will progress much quicker and your surfing style will be better for it in the long run.

KS
User avatar
kitesurfer
Surf God
 
Posts: 3533
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2005 1:20 pm
Location: In the kitchen making Harmergeddon mead!

Re: Learning to surf on a shortboard

Postby pkbum » Mon Jan 21, 2008 8:17 am

paulminors wrote:I have had a few lessons learning to surf on 7ft+ mals boards and have just bought a 6'8 shortboard. been out a few times and haven't grasped the pop up yet! I'm still making the rookie mistake of using my knees! The conditions I've been in havn't been great, a lot of white water! but i need some tips on learning to surf on a shorter board!

thanks[/b]


Keep practicing the pop up on the ground. Try not to use your knee to get yourself into a standing position. Just try use your arm and your @ss to swing through into standing position. Doing some push up exercise will help a little. If this sounds boring, take KS advice and have a blast!
User avatar
pkbum
SW Pro
 
Posts: 736
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2007 2:32 am
Location: Santa ana rivermouth, where the shi1s come out

Postby CHarvey » Mon Jan 21, 2008 5:02 pm

That's how I learned so I know it can be done, but it's not easy. Get in the water as much as possible, make sure you are arching your back and think about getting a bigger board at least until you are able to read the water decent.
CHarvey
SW Pro
 
Posts: 525
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Fri Dec 21, 2007 2:14 pm
Location: San Diego

Postby gaelicsurfer » Mon Jan 21, 2008 5:45 pm

i started surfing in cali and baught a short board so i could bring it back to ireland with me, found it quite tough and after 3 months didnt progress as much as i would have liked.

since coming back i baught a 7'6" minimal and it made a huge difference. compared to the shortboard it was so stable and i found it really easy to catch waves. since then iv progressed really quickly and have started to experiment with a 6' fish shape with pretty good results.

i would definitely recommend starting with a bigger board, it will save alot of frustration, you will progress faster and you will have alot more fun.
gaelicsurfer
New Member
 
Posts: 10
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Mon Dec 24, 2007 4:19 pm
Location: west coast, Ireland

Postby kinggargantuan » Mon Feb 04, 2008 8:00 pm

i'm having the same problems although i'm on a 7'6" funfish (but i'm also 6'3 and 220lbs)
kinggargantuan
New Member
 
Posts: 8
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2008 7:21 pm
Location: Virginia Beach VA

Postby Sillysausage » Mon Feb 04, 2008 9:10 pm

i learnt to surf on a shortboard, but started young so wasnt too bad, still only young now, but it is much better to learn on a bigger board.
Sillysausage
SW Pro
 
Posts: 1185
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Thu Nov 16, 2006 6:56 pm
Location: East Coast, uk

Postby Milo » Mon Feb 04, 2008 10:46 pm

Longboard, then work down
User avatar
Milo
SW Pro
 
Posts: 802
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Wed Aug 23, 2006 1:48 pm
Location: south coast UK

Postby perusurf » Sun Feb 10, 2008 2:03 am

i started on a shortboard and got up on my first try, i had a little push from my brother-in-law, but still went all the way till it closed, it was awesome, i did do bodyboard when i was little so that helped a lot, specially to know how to go for a wave...
it is still alot easier to begin on a bigger board... the only problem is duckdiving, the bigger the board the harder it is..
Bravo Surf Camp, Peru - http://www.bravosurfcamp.com
User avatar
perusurf
Local Hero
 
Posts: 154
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Sun Feb 03, 2008 10:04 pm
Location: Punta Hermosa www.bravosurfcamp.com


Similar topics

Surf travel sustainability?
RELATED: Surf Chat
Author: Kulharin
Replies: 2
Audio surf reports
RELATED: Surf Chat
Author: pacificwaverider
Replies: 0
Perth Surf
RELATED: Shortboarders Only
Author: 101unz
Replies: 5
Freeze dried food on surf trips ?
RELATED: General Chat
Author: Anonymous
Replies: 3
Return to Shortboarders Only