What board do you recommend for me?ANd what can I do about the waves that keep knocking me over as I try to?

Question

I'm 5', 16, 103 pounds,very easily knocked over by waves and I can;t carry even a five foot board b/c my arms cant reach to the end. I love to surf but I borrow boards that are usually 9-10 feet from my instructor who doesnt carry a board b/c he spends most of the time grabbing me when the waves come b/c I usually go flying lol. What board do you recommend and how I can stop the waves from practically killing me and knocking the board away or on top of me? I've tried to dive under the wave but I can tget the board under so naturallly the board flies out of my hands and I can't go over the waves even when i scoot down to the bottom of the board to lift the top up and when I do it flips the board on top..Help!!

Answer 1

another thing i would like to add, is that a handy way for me to carry my board to and from the beach is to carry it on my head with my hands holding the sides for balance.  it sounds wierd, but it gives me shade and is the perfect way to haul a board after i'm exhausted from surfing.

and when you dive under, are you laying down on the board?  it helps push it under the wave if you lean all your weight to the nose when it hits the board.

and i would say to definately get a new instructer.  mine would help me get started, and then grab his board and paddle out with me  so he could show me ways to dive under waves and catch them.

and the length of your board also depends on how the waves are.  i use a 9'10'' board right now (i'm a newbie) and i'm also 5' 6'', though i weigh 126 lbs.   the waves i catch are choppy  and not that high at all, so the longboard is best for me and for those baby waves!

otherwise have fun, bring sunblock, and wear that rash guard!

Answer 2

Your instructor needs to be replaced.  

Someone your size shouldn't be learning on a board more than 7-8 feet long.  You could even go with one much shorter than that, if you're interested in more aggressive surfing.  For learning, though, I'd go with a 7 foot funboard, which will make it easier to catch waves initially.

Also, don't try to dive under a wave.  You can roll the board on top of you so your upside down in the water (with the board above your face) as the wave goes by.  This is called a turtle roll, and is easier to perform than a duck dive when you're using a longer board.  

If the waves are flipping you back when you're paddling out, do a turtle roll, or watch where there is a gap between the breaks and aim for that.  Waves don't break everywhere at once, and the hardest part of surfing (I think) is learning the timing, both for standing up and for paddling out.  

Spend some time on the beach practicing standing up and also just watching the break before you go out.  Learn where the waves start to break, where the rips are between waves, (for easier paddle out) and which way the waves break.

Answer 3

JP is 100% correct.

I'd like to add that strength and endurance are very important. Even with a wider and shorter board (easier to manuever) you need some athletic ability. Claire Bevo is short and petite but she can hold her own.

While it's "cute" now to have your instructor rescue you, what happens when play time is over and you're on your own? If you can't duck dive or roll over to avoid oncoming waves, then I don't think you're strong enough physically to be out there.

Find smaller waves, do some strength training at the gym, and get serious before you get into a situation you can't handle. And again, ditto on the get a different instructor, because if you have to ask us anything what are you paying him for??