I am 5', 16, 103 pounds,very easily knocked over by waves and l can;t carry even a five foot board b/c my arms cant reach to the end. l love to surf but l borrow boards that are usually 9-10 feet from my instructor who doesnt carry a board b/c he spends most of the time grabbing me when the waves come b/c l usually go flying lol. What board do you recommend and how l can stop the waves from practically killing me and knocking the board away or on top of me? I've tried to dive under the wave but l can tget the board under so naturallly the board flies out of my hands and l can not go over the waves even when l scoot down to the bottom of the board to lift the top up and when l do it flips the board on top..Help!!
Yeah l should get stronger its really annoying and my instructor just says dont worry about it when l talk to him

Your instructor needs to be replaced.

Someone ur size should not be learning on a board more than 7-8 feet long. You could even go with one much shorter than that, if you're interested in more aggressive surfing. For learning, though, I'd go with a 7 foot funboard, which will make it easier to catch waves initially.

Also, do not try to dive under a wave. You can roll the board on top of u so ur upside down in the water (with the board above ur face) as the wave goes by. This is called a turtle roll, & is easier to perform than a duck dive when you're using a longer board.

If the waves r flipping u back when you're paddling out, do a turtle roll, or watch where there is a gap between the breaks & aim for that. Waves do not break everywhere at once, & the hardest part of surfing ( l think) is learning the timing, both for standing up & for paddling out.

Spend some time on the beach practicing standing up & also just watching the break before u go out. Learn where the waves start to break, where the rips r between waves, (for easier paddle out) & which way the waves break.

JP is 100% correct.

I'd like to add that strength & endurance r very important. Even with a wider & shorter board (easier to manuever) u need some athletic ability. Claire Bevo is short & petite but she can hold her own.

While it is ''cute'' now to have ur instructor rescue you, what happens when play time is over & you're on ur own? If u can not duck dive or roll over to avoid oncoming waves, then l do not think you're strong enough physically to be out there.

Find smaller waves, do some strength training at the gym, & get serious before u get into a situation u can not handle. And again, ditto on the get a different instructor, because if u have to ask us anything what r u paying him for??

another thing l would like to add, is that a handy way for me to carry my board to & from the beach is to carry it on my head with my hands holding the sides for balance. it sounds wierd, but it gives me shade & is the perfect way to haul a board after i'm exhausted from surfing.
and when u dive under, r u laying down on the board? it helps push it under the wave if u lean all ur weight to the nose when it hits the board.
and l would say to definately get a new instructer. mine would help me get started, & then grab his board & paddle out with me so he could show me ways to dive under waves & catch them.

and the length of ur board also depends on how the waves are. l use a 9'10'' board right now (i'm a newbie) & i'm also 5' 6'', though l weigh 126 lbs. the waves l catch r choppy & not that high at all, so the longboard is best for me & for those baby waves!

otherwise have fun, bring sunblock, & wear that rash guard!