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I'm having trouble surfing on a 6'4'' in as a new surfer. The minute i tried a long board i got up. Any advice

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I got the short board as a gift and do not really want to purchase a long board. I just don't know if i'm not paddling enough or if i'm too far out. someone told me to start out near the wave before it breaks and start paddling harder. Long boards can catch from farther out and are easy to get up on, so do i just need to position myself better and put more weight on the back of the shorter board?

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  1. In order to catch a wave you need to paddle your board fast enough to match the speed of the wave. A longer board is more buoyant (and hydrodynamic) and you will be able paddle the board faster than a short board. Thus, on a long board you will be able to catch a wave earlier because you can paddle your board at faster speeds. On a short board you will most likely not be able to paddle your board fast enough to match the speed of the wave. Therefor, you need to catch the wave when it is steeper (when it is about to break) You will be using gravity, pulling down the steeper face of the wave, to match your speed of the wave. You will be "taking off" on the wave later. This puts you in a more critical part of the surf break. On a shortboard you will be able to adjust yourself on the board only so much.

    If you are having a difficult time, try catching smaller waves that are already breaking. The white wash will usually push you fast enough to catch the wave. As you start getting used to standing on the shortboard, move out to closer the the main break. You'll be used to taking off later on the wave, in a more critical position.


  2. Long boards work better when you have weak waves.  I'm in Southern California & not many longboarders are out there anymore, because it is just too hard to compete with the shortboarders when the water is packed with surfers.  The more you are out in the water, the stronger you will become & it will get easier to "catch" the wave.  You need to learn how to see & read the water & waves BEFORE they break & position yourself somewhere in the middle & at an angle, so you can get yourself out of it if you need to.  Short boards have a completely different balance point that is a individual  as the rider.

  3. it really depends on how big the waves are. if there small you should take the long board.but when the waves have more power and are little bigger you can surf a short board with ease. well if you have good experience. I'm ten years old so i would just get my tail there as much as possible.
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