Trouble catching broken waves

[quitter]

I'm having trouble catching white water. The waves flow under me but they don't seem to carry much energy. Will standing up change that? I've been able to catch some the wave just as it crashes and attempt to pop up on those. Am I also supposed to attempt to pop up on the weaker ones or do I stick to the freshly broke waves? I was only able to catch 8 of those in a 3 hour session. I had to rely on being at the right place at the right time as I was too weak to paddle

[BoMan]

I suspect your board is too small. What are you riding?

[Oldie]

I had to rely on being at the right place at the right time as I was too weak to paddle

Maybe that is the problem. If you just bob around and hope that the wave will push you forward, you need a wave with a lot of energy. And if you are too weak to paddle - should you be there at all? You can be in the wrong place, and the waves can be too weak. Even in the whitewater, the board should have some forward momentum before the wave hits you.

[LostAtSea]

If the wave is too small it wont have enough power to move you forward.

Get in the right spot, not where the wave breaks, but just in front. (catch breaking or unbroken later in your development)

When the wave is about 10 or 15 feet behind you, really dig in and PUSH the water behind you with every deep, purposeful stroke of your arms. Paddle like you mean to move that board forward.

Your arms enter the water at a 45 degree angle down in front of you, push the water back, then exit out bending your elbow so there is no drag.

Keep paddling until you feel the wave pushing the board forward,

then - Cobra up with your hands flat on the deck near the bottom of your rib cage

Put your weight on your arms (weighting the front of the board will keep you moving forward) and slide your legs up under you.

[quitter]

Thanks for the responses. My paddling is slightly better with another session under my belt and adjustments to the wetsuit that was gulping up water at the sleeves. I caught several more waves and practiced paddling a bit more - the sets were too quick. I also knee rode an unbroken wave and fully squatted some foam.

Now the problem with my 8'6" foamie is that I'm nose diving even while on my belly. I think it might be a combo of positioning and speed of the wave. My toes where hanging off the edge of the foamie and the nose stuck out at least 2 inches. I think it's because I stare at the board when I try to place my hands.

[Oldie]

You need to move forward on the board. Your are just pushing water, will therefore be too slow and as a result nosedive.