ive bodyboarded for a long time and l surfed probably 5 times this summer but l never got up. l took lessons on a softop longboard but l was given a 6 foot squash tail that is pretty narrow while im 6 foot and about 150 pounds.

i guess im having problems with where l need to start paddling and where l need to make my one motion in to standing up.?

what should l do now?

More lessons on a softtop longboard, and lots of practice, because you and that 6' squash tail might just not make it.

you need to start paddaling when the wave is about 7 meters away. when you think you have caught the wave but you are still not quite on it paddle 2 more times. The standing up in 1 full motion wont just be learnt in 1 day you need to practice for ages. But remember it is 1 big jump. You need alot of balance but you will get it soon enough. But first l recomend you learn the step up.

well keep on practicing on that softtop my friend!


good luck!

Sounds like you got screwed on your lesson. Trying to teach someone to surf on a board the same size as them is like trying to teach a 16 year old to drive by giving them a race car.

its gonna be soooo hard learning on that 6 ft board. im a shortboarder so l know from experience. keep getting lessons on the softop longboard and after a few weeks / months of practice then you can ride the shortboard. this will make it a lot easier, especially since you never got up on the longboard. hope this helps. have fun surfing!

You just need to fully learn on a softtop. You might as well just buy one.

The Surfboard Man
http://thesurfboardman.com/