Why cant i surf on a short board??

Question

im 15 and i started surfing when i was 13, and about a year ago my brother got a short board and since then i have been trying to use it but its just too hard! any pointers

Answer 1

Short-boards are very hard to surf. I am a pretty good long-boarder and i still have trouble shortboarding. Make sure the waves are over 3 foot and are powerful. You also have to take off right under the lip (the breaking part of the wave). Make sure you also paddle hard.

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www.thesurfboardman.com

Answer 2

try a fish, it is a longboard in a short board size. it has thick rails and its wide. so it is great learning to stand up and paddle

and once you sttart to get good it is also GREAT for learning how to turn because it is SOO loose.

it also teaches you good smooth turns

Answer 3

im 15 as well and just started longboarding. If you are serious about surfing, you should get on a longboard and work on your balance. Also do pushups to get your shoulders strong. Work on your "pop-ups" in your room or in front of your TV. That should help. I have no idea how to short board but I would ask people who do shortboard (while your waiting for waves)

Answer 4

i got a short board for my b-day a short board is not as stable as longboards it takes more balance and practice good luck! but dont worry it takes a little more practice and you need more speed on a short board.Once you learn to ride a shortboard it will be fun cuz you go really fast and carve

Answer 5

You got used to a long board wihch is easier. If you have any doubts add me. I am 14 i had the ****** same problem. You just need to practice cuz time will give the time more time to time it on the right time.

Answer 6

don't just suddenly go from longboard to shortboard. Make the transition with a medium size board. Try a fish or funshape. When you feel confident on that, you may be ready to step up to the shortboard. Or if you insist on shortboarding, try something with more volume in the nose to help you get into waves earlier. The hard thing about getting used to the shortboard is the late drops.

Answer 7

Longboard more.  It increases your overall surfing abilities. On days when the swell is bigger, break out the short board.  Don't feel like you have to ride the same board all the time.

Answer 8

the whole "try fish" and "only bigger days" mentality is not completely right.  I went from one day on a longboard last year, first time surfing, to buying a shorty this year and doing fine in two foot mush waves up to 5 footers.  

main difference is that on a longboard you can paddle onto a wave and stand up when it is still "green" whereas a shortboard you need to be closer to the break when paddling, paddle really really hard, and pop up right before or as the waves starts to break (but before it breaks on your back).  

also, a good piece of advice that an old timer gave me - second day surfing (first on the short), this guy said that with a longboard its more "flow" and that it glides easier and sustains momentum, whereas with a shortboard you have to "attack" the wave.  as its coming up right behind you paddle like helI, and pop up as quick and smooth as you can, making sure to commit and keep your weight forward on the board, bc if you put weight on the tail it will create drag and pull you out the back of the wave.

that said, trying a fish or only taking the shortboard out on meatier days is not a bad idea, as is practicing as much as you can on the longboard and doing pushups to have a more efficient pop up.