Sounds like you're young enough to be learning on a shortboard as long as you aren't 200+ lbs. Maybe you should try waxing your board with a base coat wax first. Carry a small bar of wax in your shorts pocket too.
I assume you're surfing a beach break which can be frustrating to paddle out in if it's breaking real consistently. Sometimes you just have to time your paddle out with any lulls in the sets if there are any and sometimes you just need to just keep charging ahead to make it out. Sometimes it's easier to make it out on a higher tide but that really depends on the spot. With more experience you'll probably become really good at duck diving just out of necessity (sp?).
Most of what you will learn in surfing will be through trial and error so try not to get frustrated and use each session as a learning experience. Analyze what you did and how you could have done it more efficiently and effectively.
Learn your basics before trying to rip turns. Learn how to make it out to the peak, catch open faced waves, and go down the line first. A lot of "surfers" that I see still can't even do that. From there you can learn how to trim and do small direction changes with your board. You haven't been surfing that long so it would be a miracle if you were already surfing like a pro.
Not sure what you're doing to your feet. Walking on reef? Getting fin slices? Whatever the case, make sure you get your tetanus shot every 10 years.
Hey, as long as you're having fun when you're surfing and you aren't endangering yourself or others...that's what matters, right?
