l have an epoxy 6'4 fish-like shape, and l was wondering if l should keep pursuing the challenge to successfully duck dive it.l can sink it easily enough, but it floats back up really fast. l can punch through, but just barely, getting kinda rattled. and l have not tried it yet for anything above chest high.This is my first ''short'' board, so will it get better with time?l think l need to practice my technique, but l just wanna make sure that this board is duckdive-able.

Thanks
I've been riding an 8'0 since july and got the 6'4 in November.Actually my first board was a NSP fish but l traded it in in favor of a ''real'' board.Before that l took surf lessons and used soft-tops longboard.

The fish l have now is shaped by Gary Wilson who shapes Kinetic surfboards for Surf City surf shops, it is fun!

Epoxy boards r funny things. They r super durable, but almost ''floaty'' to a fault. It seems ironic to say that a surfboard can be ''too buoyant'' but that can be the case with some epoxy boards. Now, l seem to recall that u r a youngster, who, unless u drown or get eaten by one of those sharks that every body talks about on this site, u r going to continue to grow. Thus comes the solution to ur problem.
You continue to surf, & u skill improves, the epoxy board does not get beaten to $h!t in one year, & u keep riding it, & finally u gain twenty pounds & three inches & the board becomes ''just right'' to duck dive, or do any other thing u choose with it.
PS, that is a rugged board for a beginner to learn on, but like l have said before, there r NO RULES about what type of surfboard u learn on.

well l was gonna answer your question but John said everything just right, l agree, thats a rugged board for a beginner, but everyone needs to learn their own way..Im so jealous, we wont be moving to California till May..have fun, stay safe... l cant wait to night surf! It will be my twin sons, who are 16 first time night surfing...

Just keep practicing.


The Surfboard Man
http://thesurfboardman.com/

Its hard but if you keep trying it gets better with time. When l was 11 l got a board that was only 5'4 it took me 6months to figure it out. keep trying and it will totally get better.

l have an epoxy and a P/U and duck diving is difficult on both simply because l am not that good at it, which is probly your problem. One thing l noticed some kids doing is when they start to push down they put their head down and bend their neck, that has helped. l think that hardest part is getting your knee in the middle of the board or your foot and on the tail part and getting that bit under until the wave passes, Everyone tells me its a feel thing.

great choice of board. i've got a 6'5 and its amazing in the big surf.
-Sally X

ok l had the same problem all you need to do it when the wave its about 10 feet away, (1)start to push it down and when the water gets to about your neck (2)kick the tail down with 1 or both feet so it evens the board out good and then(3) when you got past the wave pull the board to your chest till you get the technique down. also PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!