I am having difficulty pumping on a shortboard (surfboard), what is the correct way of doing it?

Question

Are there any other ways of gaining speed on a shortboard?

Answer 1

most people pump in order to catch up to the wave, and while doing this they are on the back part of their board. this will only slow you down. the trick is to keep an equal or front balance when doing this. then, you will actually catch up to the wave.

Answer 2

If you are trying to litterally 'pump' your board in an up and down motion I would work on trying to let the wave do more for you.  Try going from top to bottom.  Drive off the bottom to the top, on your way down you drive off the bottom again - you gain speed and let the wave do it for you.  On really small waves your board has just as much to do with getting speed as your technique.  Focus on milking the waves first before trying to generate your own speed.

If you are just starting out - your first thing you should be working on is a good bottom turn.  EVERYTHING starts with a good solid bottom turn.  You'll get better much quicker and learn tricks much faster once you understand how to do a good bottom turn.

Edit: Don't listen to that Kevin guy - hes a kook.  Some boards are designed for 'front' footed surfers and 'rear' footed surfers.  Some boards will generate more speed fromt he tail (depending on where you are on the wave) than from where you stand on the board.  Just work on your bottom turn - ASK ANY SURFER, IT ALL STARTS FROM A GOOD BOTTOM TURN!