Throw out paddle and SUP , take a mal and learn basics in a prone position first.

Have fun, cheers

Board specs and model? Perhaps your board is not right for the conditions or location. A few things need to be addressed if you want some help :)

Like most things - it comes down to timing; too early and you can paddle as hard as you like; too late and you'll be swimming. I'd suggest going a little later than you have been and even with the odd swim that will pay off quicker than marathon sprints without any result. If you don't feel the board start to glide after 3 or 4 strokes, then go later again.

Hi Jawgar
Plenty of sound instructional vids on Youtube on techniques for catching waves on SUPs - not to mention watching some of the ones posted by members on Seabreeze including a couple of DJs surf vids; you can watch what they do on them.
Always best to see it in action I reckon. Youtube vids have commentary and vision.
Stick with it - it's worth the effort!

MickMc said...

Kami said...
Throw out paddle and SUP , take a mal and learn basics in a prone position first.

Have fun, cheers

Sorry Kami, can't agree. Totally different techniques.

Actually seeing the moment when the wave just pushes into you, the moment the steepness arrives requiring
the increased paddle rate that catches the wave, that's what's hard to recognize at first. Prone or SUS.

Standing up in small waves is even harder to see it. A little bit of prone on your sup or whatever can't hurt.

There is a few of us in the ACT who head down the coast every month or so for a few waves. Send me a PM if you are keen to come along. It's a relaxed crew who would be happy to provide some tips.

gibo said...
There is a few of us in the ACT who head down the coast every month or so for a few waves. Send me a PM if you are keen to come along. It's a relaxed crew who would be happy to provide some tips.

This is a fantastic offer, best outcome your going to get jawgar.
Great stuff gibo, double thumbs up from me

Prone surfing is easier and your progession will be quicker once your comfortable with that the sup will no dout come easier best to take 2boards to the beach and have a go both.a larger prone board will give you a feel for control you will need on a sup

Jawgar,

Sounds like your board is not the issue. As others have said timing is key. if the waves are rolling through under you - you are not in the correct spot to take off. Being on a SUP you can generally be wider and out further as they should pick up the wave easier. Continue to put yourself closer to the take off zone (where others are catching the wave) eventually you will feel the wave picking up the board. You may need to move yourself forward on the board if waves keep passing under you. You should be standing near the centre of gravity with the nose about an 2 - 3cm off the water.

Catching the wave you are trying to be moving the board forward and have the best balance you can, for me this is feet side by side and I jump to surf stance, alternatively others prefer to be in surf stance. The transition should occur just after the point at which the wave takes the board. The board will be moving down the face and steady. Unlike surfing where your take off has your body weight moving forward I actually move my weight back for the take off and then move forward or back on the board after the bottom turn. For the bottom turn you need to get your weight on your back foot and have it as close to the fins as you can. I would focus on catching waves then move to the face of the wave.

When you are learning to catch waves be heading to shore and then turn rather than diagonal along the line. In time this is much easier but until you have a confident take off it is much more stable with the board travelling straight.

The more practice the better you get. You will be much more relaxed and this also makes you more stable. The cleaner the waves the easier it gets to surf but generally the added crowd make it harder to learn. Point breaks are defiantly better to learn at as you can paddle around the waves.

There is nothing better than clean 3 - 4' waves with low wind and low crowds catching waves until you cant paddle out any more.

Good luck

Andrew