I am a beginner with a short board. I am having trouble standing up because my feet go off the back of the board so I am using pure arm strength. I am not buff or anything, so l have to go to my knees first which l know is a bad habit. If l try moving up the board the nose goes down into the water and almost impossible to ride. Any suggestions?

Yeah, u most definately have the wrong board. And with popping up, its mostly ur core & arms, not much to do with ur legs until they r under you. You need a lot of coordination and, lets face it, talent to begin on a shortboard, & u should probably be on a longboard. Even so, u should be on a bigger, thicker & wider shortboard than what u have, preferrably one with more rocker. Also, u should never be on ur knees on a shortboard.

Edit*

Okay, this dude has no idea what he is talking about. First off, about the break is a horrible website, full of wrong information. Only a retard would use an online surfboard calculator to find out what size board is ''right''. Jeez, thats just so wrong, it violates the spirit of surfing in ways never imagined before. You need to go to a real surf shop for advice, not the internet.

Go here so that you can find what size board you should be riding: http://aboutthebreak.com/surfboard_calculator.php

Go here for an article on how to stand up properly: http://aboutthebreak.com/tutorial_surfing_standing.php

Move further forward on the board, & arch u back more, to keep u center of gravity closer to the 'sweet spot' on the board. It will take lots of practice, & maybe u r just a little ahead of yourself riding a 'short board, & a little more time on a long board or fun shape might not be a bad idea. Also, it is possible u r not 'popping up' soon enough if u pushing ur nose down on take off. l have had that problem recently with a Lost SDI l l picked up in March.

l have been surfing for 42 years, & l do not think anybody can give u fair & honest advice of this type on line. This is a question that u go over with a pal (or an instructor) in the water. If u live in a beautiful west coast town, with a consistent, head high break, If u pay my air fare & room & board, l will go west & spend a month working with you! (that is a joke).

Get some of ur friends to watch you, & spend lots of time in the water, & u will get the hang of things. Good luck, & keep on surfing.