Fun and long boards chime in

[S2000]

How often do you guys get your asses kicked while paddling out. I went out today in choppy waist-chest high sets and go beat up on my way out. My board (7'2", 21 1/2", 2 3/8") wont duck dive so I bailed on a wave that was going to crash on me. As soon as I get ready to hop back on my board to paddle out, another wave lands right on me. I think I am going to stick to clean, waist-high waves until I get a smaller board. It really sucks to have to be selective while still trying to learn but I really only have fun on the small & clean stuff. What are your feelings on this?

[surferdude_scarborough]

i get my ass kicked in anything above waist or chest high when im paddling out its somethin i have come to get used to

[S2000]

So how do you get out each time? Today I got slammed by a wave so I bailed and went under. I got slammed by a few more before grabbing my board and paddling passed the breaks. It must be nice to ride a shortboard and be able to go under waves.

What size board?

[sinistapenguin]

I would argue that your board could be duckdived. I can duckdive my 7'5 x 21 x 2 3/8 mini-mal.

My friend can duckdive his 9'6 longboard (to a degree!!)

The problem is that it's really hard to get the duckdive technique right but you can get it with practise.

I can do it, but I still get drilled fairly often when I get it wrong. But a shorter board isn't necessarily going to solve the problem, I was the same on my old 6'6 x 18 x 2 thruster!!

What I used to do (and still do in bigger waves)is paddle to the impact zone. then get off my board and grab the 'tail protector' part of my leash. I then swim towards the breaking waves, duck under and pull down on the tail to bring the board under with me.

It 'aint pretty, but it works!!

Sinista

[libby]

Yep i'd have to agree Sinista, Brent can duckdive my 7' minimal. I can't because i'm nowhere near ready to try but he manages fine. And yes that does mean that i've seen B on a minimal . Don't tell him i told you though

[Brent]

Yes, it can be done. I rode a mini mal for the first time 2 weeks ago....the trick is to duck-dive it earlier.. actually, I find it easier to d-dive a longer board, you can use forward momentum to take it down. The trick is be forceful with your push down at the start. The rest is just like a shortboard... but this is a 7' 21" 2 5/8 mini-mal...not an aircraft carrier...

[sinistapenguin]

There's nothing wrong with Mini-Mals!!

I spent 11 years on a shortboard and have now progressed to a mini-mal!

[k mac]

yes that does mean that i've seen B on a minimal

[S2000]

Well then maybe it's just my tecnique. Either way I gotta figure out something to be able to handle bigger waves crashing on me.

[Brent]

Actually, it was all in the name of research!!!!
Some differences I noted, yes they're easier to paddle, but being heavier you have to start paddling earlier to catch a wave and with the extra length I can't give a couple of kicks as well to catch a wave as I would normally on a shortboard.
I do prefer a shortboard personally as everything happens quicker
Neither is better...just different ways to have similar sorts of fun :-)))
...how's that for diplomatic ??

[deathfrog]

brent with bigger boards though you can punch and go, and get into waves without having to paddle and take longer to get going...

I can duckdive my sevener...

[Brent]

The best boards to duckdive are long low-volume gun-type boards, the leverage from the length & the low volume-ness are wonderful. Riding a Mini-Mal for the first time in my life 2 weeks ago I was able to d-dive it. But only cause I knew how to do it properly to start with.

[sinistapenguin]

The 'best' boards to duckdive are body boards, but who'd want one of them!!

[deathfrog]

bboards? no they're like imposible to duckdive,they're too short, you can't get your knee or foot on them and they usally just roll you over and get you nowhere.

but I agree with brent about the mini guns being easiest