When should I start paddling for a wave?
You only want the nose of your board a couple of inches out of the water. Start paddling earlier so you have more speed when the wave reaches you. Paddle faster and keep paddling until the wave has passed.
What length shortboard should I ride?
A good place to start is going to be 12″-24″ taller than yourself but will vary by the shape and style of surfboard. Fish- Proper fish size is typically 2-4″ shorter than your shortboard. Shortboard- I usually recommend going 2-6″ taller than yourself.
Is shortboard good for small waves?
Finding a small wave shortboard tends to be more difficult because shortboards aren’t usually designed for small waves. Generally, shortboards are designed to perform well when the waves are bigger and more powerful.
Can You Learn to surf on a shortboard?
The answer is a resounding NO! Learning to surf on a shortboard will steepen your learning curve and slow down your progression. Catching your first real waves may take you months instead of weeks, possibly adding years to the time needed to truly surf the waves in style.
How to use a shortboard as a beginner?
Floating and paddling on your shortboard: for a beginner surfer, this step takes time (much less on a larger board). You have to find the right body placement for paddling, such that your board is as flat as possible on the water. On a shortboard, every inch counts!
Is it harder to learn paddling on a shortboard?
Paddling is also harder on a shortboard. Popping up is significantly more unstable than on a longer board. Likewise, takeoffs are steeper due to the shorter length. The only thing that may be easier to learn on a shortboard is duck diving since there’s less volume to push down under the wave.
What is the best surfboard for beginners?
Another good option is to get a 7+-foot Bic or Torq surfboard, which have a very durable epoxy construction as opposed to a regular polyester foam and resin shortboard (much easier to break and pricier). Once you get better, you can continue to learn on a shorter board though with enough volume such as a 6’6 Fourth Chilli Bean or Doofer (6’4).