Hi everyone

Recently bought a jp fusion 10'2 ast board.

I have taken it out a couple times in the surf now and have been watching youtube for a few techniques. I ge the general jist of it its all practice and more practice.

My question is my center fin adjustments. At the moment it is dead center. Would it improve anything by moving it backwards or forwards?

I struggle to get onto the wave cant seem to get my up and go/ timing and if I do end up on the wave long enough to get into surf stance I find i can't quite turn properly I end up going on a 45 degree to the wave and that's it.

Welcome to Seabreeze!

A couple of little comments:

1. The steeper the wave the easier it is to catch - so if you are way out on the shoulder (where it is full/fat) it will be hard to catch. But if it is too steep you will probably nose-dive...
2. Make sure you balance the board end-to-end. If your weight is too far forward it is easier to catch the wave, but you might nose-dive. Too far back and you may not catch it. So put your weight forward and move back when you catch the wave.

3. You will learn to paddle like crazy just as the wave approaches. You will get fitter and stronger with practice. But if you are at the right part of the wave it is much easier to catch the wave. When you watch videos, watch what the wave looks like when they are catching it (and watch how they move their feet forward and aft)

4. The more weight you put on the tail of the board (once you have caught the wave) the easier it will be to turn. If you are light compared to the board, you may need to put weight on the rails too. How heavy are you? How much volume (in litres) does your board have?

Also, make sure you understand surf etiquette - when to give way to other surfers, how to take turns, how to control your board so you don't hurt anyone, etc.

Hope that helps.

Hi Nugdam,
Fin forward will loosen the board up a bit.
I recommend getting the lessons sooner rather than later. You will be glad you did.
And you can join Sunshine Coast Stand Up Paddle Club on Facebook for free (great source of info) and to become an active member is $60 or $80 a year (and for that you get included in lots of comps and clinics and social paddles). They seem like a lovely bunch of people and I love their Facebook posts.
You will see from their posts where the good mellow spots are. They have a regular session at a local river mouth. I recommend it when the swell is smallish and the tide is running out just after high.
Have fun.

I learnt to surf on points like Currumbin And Greenmount. The right handlers are really predictable, and you would get plenty of time on your feet once you'd caught one if you were lucky fInd one without someone on it. My surfing really picked up after moving to the sunny coast where I'd be on beach breaks. This was because they are shiftier and you learn very quickly waves to pick, waves to leave, and where you should be taking off from by watching the waves rather than a fixed point like a rock.

So my advice to you, is find a nice little bank on a clean 1 or 2ft day somewhere around Maroochydore or mudjimba or wherever out of the way of people because:

1. You want quantity of waves and you won't get that on a crowded point or sharing with people. You will butcher some, most rides will be average, but 1 or 2 will pearlers. Spend about 2 or 3 hours out.
2. You will get lefts and rights. Catching waves on your backhand is worthwhile practice.
3. With waves to burn you can throw the board around or try something different and it doesn't matter if you stuff it up.

Once you are better, do a regular pilgrimage to double island point.