Softboarding Surfboarding Duck Diving?

Question

i was wondering is much harder to duckdive a softboard then a hard board i started surfing and now am after the bigger waves at the back.

but cant get out without getting polverised

i have been able to sink the entire board in whitewash but not been able to get my body under i no what to do and all grab the rails sink the front then knee the tail to get the back down

also my board is a 5'8 and its very thin any help will be much appreciated

Thanks

Answer 1

You need proper duck diving technique.  Unless you weigh 65lbs, you should be able to sink a 5'8".  Start with paddling speed - you want good speed while approaching the breaking wave / whitewash.  Before you hit it, grab your rails on either side and push down deep on your board - sinking the nose as deep as you can.  At the same time, take your feet (whichever feels comfortable) and step on the tail and push it down and forward.  This will help sink the nose even further and give you some forward momentum under water.  After pushing the board down (sinking nose) underwater as far as  you can, and pushing with your foot, pull your body close to the board.  As you do this, the wave/whitewash should pass over you.  Guide the nose of the board towards the surface and smile, you just performed  a proper duck dive.

Answer 2

i presume the softboard is foam?it is possible but its also very very hard to do.if your going for bigger waves then surely you think that inside your self your ready for the upgrade look into picking up a cheap bic board second hand is your best bet for the moment and being a begginer get front and rear guards.not only for youself but for others.also if you just want to try the bigger waves then try not going through the waves but around them or over them.watch the waves where they form and begin to curl then go past the starting point and paddle out that way or for the going over technique as you paddle out try to catch the wave early on before it begins to curl as you approach the wave then like popping up lift your chest from the board so water can pass between and gives less resistance.or if your still adamant you want to duck dive try putting more weight on the front of your board to sink faster and deeper try with your knee in the centre instead of the back of the board.hope this helps