Can anyone tell me what i am doing wrong???

Question

I've been surfing for 3 months now on an 8ft. When trying to catch a wave...I either paddle, paddle, paddle and don't get it, or i catch it and right when i stand up i do a nose dive. HELP!!!

Answer 1

If you are too far back on the board, you will never catch a wave

if you are too far forward you will nosedive

Be slightly forward and move back as you stand up.

Answer 2

Assuming you aren't too heavy for your board, there are a couple of things that can help.  Find the spot on your board that when you paddle, the nose is about 1 1/2 to 2" above the water.  When you paddle into a wave face, angle slightly so you don't go straight down.  One more item, keep your head down as you paddle into the wave and you will catch them easier.

Answer 3

You could try a couple of things.

Try and find a comfortable balance spot on your board.  When lying prone on your board, lift your heels in the air.  Do the same with your hands.  If you're wobbling all over the place, you don't have a really good balance spot.  Find it first, then try and catch the wave.  

When you do catch the wave, try your best to plant your BACK foot first, it'll push your tail into the water a little quicker than your nose.  And don't worry about the nose.  Look forward.  Everything will fall into place.

Good luck!

Answer 4

OK your on a long board. So you need to start paddling early to get on the wave as you need to have enough momentum to match the speed of the wave. This means you have to give deep, hard strokes of the arms as you paddle. Also you should aim along the face of the wave in the direction of the break. Not straight towards the beach. You should position yourself about 1-2 ft from the back of the board, depending how tall you are. Taking note of where abouts on the board you are by the pattern on your board. It will be a bit of trial and error until you find the right spot for yourself. If you nose dive then move back and mark the spot again and if the nose comes up too high move forward.

When you stand up keep your knees slightly bent and your weight slighlty on your back foot, but be prepared to transfer some weight onto your front foot to drop into the wave. Don't lean forward as you should be mostly side on standing on your board.

Practice moving your weight from your front to your back foot at home to get the feeling.

I hope that this helps. Good luck out there

Answer 5

You have to be in the middle of the board. Usually when your to far up front you do a nose dive and if you are to far back on the board it will be harder to paddle. Either that or you are just not paddling hard enough.

Answer 6

since ur on an 8 footer you want to get up further back on the board. when you paddle make sure that you dont stop paddling til you feel yourself rise on the wave then you have to stand up quick but with you further back on the board because of its length. it will do all the work for u just stay square