l feel like such an idiot cuz l can only surf in a straight line. this not only makes me feel lame while surfing, but limits the amount of waves l can catch because l cant move to avoid hitting fellow surfers/boogieboarders. to sum it all up: how do you turn on a 7'2 board?

Are u riding whitewash or the face of the wave?
Its much easier to turn on the face of the wave. What can give u a good start is when ur paddling, slightly angle ur board in the direction u plan to turn & once u take off, make sure ur knees r bent, shift most of ur weight onto ur back foot, & lean to where you'd like to turn. Make sure youre looking where u want to go.
l hope l helped. Its sorta hard to explain.
Do not feel lame while youre out there, everyone started in the same place u did so there is no need for embarassment!

Press down hard on your back foot and use your front foot to shift the nose into the direction you want to go in.

All in the back foot here''!! you really need some good power and then apply it to the back of the board whilst leaning. Also try not to lean back to much as you will spin the board out of control and no doubt nail someone! hope that helps.

IF U CAN TAKE LESSONS, GO TO HUNTINGTON PIER,
IM SURE THERE'S A SCHOOL THERE. MAKE IT SAFE
FOR U AND ME ...AND EVERBODY IN FRONT OF U.

l agree with Rachel. If riding the face of the wave it is much easier. Take off at an angle, back foot pressure combined with front foot steering. PLUS if you do not take off at an angle, and the wave is big, the nose of your long board has a tendency to pierce the surface of the water and send you forward.

If riding white wash, there is only so much you can do, thus you kinda move in a straight line, and have to paddle all the way back out when done.

Strongly recommend getting the book Beginners Guide To Longboarding. In order to turn on the board, move to the back of the board to release more of the forward rail from the water. Turn you upper body in the direction you want to turn and use your toes or heels to press in the direction you want to turn. Oversimplified, but there is a bit more too it. Snowski? Same concept - keep the downhill (beach side) of the board out of the water to keep from tripping on the rail.