Waves passing under me.

[Jango55]

Hey guys,
So i just started surfing about a week ago here in Cocoa Beach Fl. and i was doing pretty well with my surfing instructor throughout all my lessons. Afterwards i found that it was really hard for me to catch any waves at all they keep passing under me or crashing over me no matter how hard i paddle. The conditions lately have been really windy with a swell about 2-3 feet. I started off with a 10 ft soft board, went down to a 9 ft (this one was my favorite, but i want to transition to a short board), and currently am riding a 8 ft ( however paddling and riding is a bit difficult), i am 5'10" and weight 155 lbs. I am getting a little frustrated but i know it will come with practice and time, can anyone tell me what i am doing wrong.

[IB_Surfer]

It's your paddling. Do a search on this site about paddling and get some ideas. Head high, paddle down instead of out, etc... You have to have momentum in order to catch waves.

[tony g]

Positioning will also help a lot and that comes with experience. If you watch good surfers they are really good at getting themselves in the perfect spot to catch the wave. If you are to late you may get pitched. If you are to far on the shoulder you may not catch the wave at all. Watch good surfers and try to learn from them.

[IB_Surfer]

Yes, forgot to mention that, great point.

Some begginers are too far back on their board, thus the board is putting on the break the entire time you are paddling for a wave. You need to find the sweetspot on your board where paddling will seem the easiest. To check this, find some calm water and paddle, then move up slightly and see if it feels like you paddle easier, keep doing this until you find the perfect spot on your board.

[tgames64]

I took my lessons right up the road from you at Ormond Beach. I'm new also and found the same thing. When I was with the instructor I was catching them but by myself I was having more trouble. The difference I think was like was said earlier, paddling. I say that because with the instructor, he was behind my board and give me a shove just at the right moment and that made it a ton easier. I'm getting used to it though but still only catch maybe 3 out of 10 I try for. I do better when I turn and paddle my butt off to get some speed, sometimes i just flat miss it.
I'm 6'0 and 160 lbs and also like the 9' board. The 10' foot was actually harder for me for whatever reason. I'm not going any shorter though, at least until I get good on that one and am ready for another challenge.

[IB_Surfer]

To give you a visual, have you ever seen anything floating in the surf? Like a piece of wood or something else. When the surf hits it, it doesn't usually go anywhere, the wave either goes over or under it, but that piece of wood does not surf. Why? No momentum (and it doesn't plane, but that's not the visual I am going for). You need to be moving to catch waves