some newbie questions

If thats all you have right now then make the best of it.I learned on a 6'6.If you do happen to land a job get yourself a longboard even if its used.You can always use it when its small out there.Surfing takes time so be patient.Watch vids,read books,and watch others.

 

Just stick with it if thats all you have. It will be frustrating and take a while to get the hang of it but it will come eventually. If you get any opportunity to ride a longboard either renting, buying or just borrowing one definitely do it. It will help the learning process a lot and even just a couple sessions on a longboard will help when you go back to the shortboard.

If you really want to surf then just keep at it and it will come in time, and remember the only thing that matters out there is that you are having fun.

 

I always think the best thing a beginner can do is relax. New surfers almost always have a very stiff posture and look like thier muscles are always tight when they are up and riding. Being too stiff makes it hard to adjust your weight and to keep balance.

 

just get a long board and sell the short board but robg is right just have fun

 

You will be fine on a shortboard. I never owned a longboard until i had been surfing for like 7 years. Going from short to longboard is the easiest thing in the world to do. But not all longboarders can grab a shortboard and do it up. SO I would stick with the shortboard. In the end, you will be much better, much faster. Eventually grab a longboard, just because it will suit certain waves better... But if you can get decent on a shortboard, you will fee like a true king when you step on a bigger stick...

Just stick with it and learn on the shortboard... The problem is that your good days of surf wil be few and far between, so get on it when the waves are 2-4 feet or so. That is perfect beginner shortboard waves.... Just stick with it... Its hard as he** at first, but you can shortboard a knee high shorebreak closeout. And once you master that, you are already way ahead of the curve.

Good luck.

 

definitely watch as many vids as possible. Pay attention to foot placement, when and where they lean, etc. The big picture is what counts but doing the little things right will help a ton. And don't get discouraged, worst thing you can do. You can only be a beginner once so enjoy it!

 

see if you can trade it with someone

 

become a strong paddler which you can do on any board. beginners focus on standing up too much when they'd get better faster by concentrating on paddling. remember, you spend about 95 percent of the time paddling rather than riding the wave and you'll catch waves easier and in better position by being a better paddler.

 

its all about water time. surf as much as possible

 

travy is right go out and paddle every day rememmber to dig deep

 

paddle paddle paddle paddle paddle

 

Search youtube for innocentsurfschool, they have tons of good videos that'll help you get over some problem areas. Also water time, water time, water time. Enjoy.

 

Like most of the guys have said. Just keep at it. Study every video, watch other surfers. swim, work your core big time. Its really where its at. Paddle paddle paddle and get strong. Practice good surf etiquete. that will get you far in the lineup. Dont just stand straight up. thats most peoples problem. Stay low... do the hulla. Try your friends boards. Most guys I surf with will work constantly on one board for a long time then change over. I pretty much ride a fish but its fun to change up with a heavier board and work the arms and diffferent turining patterns.

 

I agree with most of the others - it is about water time - surfing has a steep learning curve - that's why I suggest you keep the shortboard, but put it aside, and get a used longboard beater - then you'll be in the water a lot more time, given the crap that's been rolling in - after you get more water time on the long board and get a little more comfortable, learn how to drop in on somebody (kidding), but learn the rules of the road, then try out the shortboard again. You'll prob want both.

 

Well said, most places that give surf lessons contribute to this mind set by starting out 100 pound 13 year olds on 8 foot funshapes. takes learning to paddle out of the equation, but the parent gets the shot of the kid standing up, instructor gets good tip from stoked parent, everybody goes home happy, and the kid still cant paddle.

 

I was reading the new surfer mag the other day and caught the article about "Surf with the Pro's" where people drop big $ to go on Indo trips with Rasta and Shane Dorian. It all boiled down to 3 basic tips that apply to 98% of non-pro surfers-

1. Stay low on the board.
2. Widen your stance
3. Probably the most surprising to hear from those guys- Ride a bigger board and get your wave count up.

And these guys know what's up.

 

Yo the 6'8 is not so bad for your body size. The most common mistake newbies make is that they lay to far back on the board when paddling for a wave which makes the nose stick up too far making it almost impossible to drop in. When paddling, your sternum needs to be right on the balance point of the board. If your sternum and hips are in the right place you should be able to control the way the board floats by arching your back ....or laying more flat. Arch your back to bring the nose up and of course the opposite of that is to lay more flat to bring the nose down. When paddling for a wave if the nose of the board is too high you will never drop in. You have to be able paddle effectively and balanced before you can catch a wave and you have to catch a wave before you can surf. You will probably have to pearl a few times until you figure out how to control the plane of the board.

 

best advice yet