When im out on the lineup, when should i paddle?

Question

so yea, after a whole bunch of turtle rolls and paddling, i manage to get out to the line up. my question is when should i start paddling? sometimes i see waves already curling and try to start paddleing, but it ends up crushing me. other times i try to paddle into waves that are just forming, but it leaves me behind.

another thing, is it right for me to feel like im gettting sucked out into the ocean when im out in the line up?

Answer 1

To catch a wave, you want to be far enough out that you wont be copping the breaking waves on the head, but not too far out that u cant paddle onto the wave you want. You have to be sitting out past where its breaking, a good 3 to 5 meters, so that when you spot ur wave you will have to paddle about 5 to 6 times before you catch the wave. Make sure that when you start paddling for your wave you keep watching it over your shoulder so you can judge what stage of breaking its in. You dont want to see it breaking behind you, if it is then give this one a miss!

Begin by practising catching the wave and lying down until it has broken and you are travelling along nicely on it. Then practise standing by getting to your knees first then your feet.

If you find yourself nosediving on the drop (when it breaks) even when lying down, slide right to the back of your board until its broken and your in the whitewash, then slide forward and try to stand up.

Good luck!

Answer 2

you need to get in a wave that is forming, but the only way is to be going at the same speed as the wave. you just need to paddle harder. its hard to help people when you can't see them in really life. good luck