Table of Contents
Is it possible to learn surfing on a shortboard?
To recap, yes you can learn to surf on a shortboard, but doing so will typically cost you a lot of extra time and effort vs getting started on a longer surfboard with more volume.
How do you sit on a shortboard?
Sit, Relax and Wait
- Lie on your surfboard and find your balance;
- Slowly move to a sitting position in the middle of the board;
- Hold on to the rails for extra stability;
- Adapt to the sitting position without grabbing the rails;
- Wait a few minutes until you find a comfortable and relaxed balance;
How do you get small waves on a shortboard?
How to gain speed on a wave with a shortboard:
- Paddle with a purpose.
- Angle your board in the direction the wave is going to break.
- Stand up with the perfect surf stance.
- Start pumping as hard as you can.
How do you balance a shortboard?
Shift your legs on either side of the surfboard to aid your balance and hold yourself upright. Lean too far to the left or right, and you’ll fall off your board. If you lean too far forward, the surfboard will disappear out behind you.
How do surfers stay on the board?
Surfers keep their feet on their board with a combination of friction between their feet and the board, momentum, gravity, and a good stance. Some of these are readily available to you, such as gravity, others such as wax can be applied, but some, such as a strong surf stance will need to be practiced and mastered.
How to become a better shortboard surfer?
The slower you move down board sizes, the faster you’ll become a better shortboard surfer, there are no shortcuts. Many newbies who try to learn to surf on a shortboard end up quitting due to the steep learning curve. As mentioned, an 8’+ longboard is a good choice for learning.
How long does it take to learn to surfboard?
Learning to surf requires spending a lot of time on your board, and that’s much harder on a 5 or 6-foot shortboard that doesn’t have enough buoyancy for your weight. Even on a longer surfboard, it can take at least 6 months to learn to consistently catch a wave, pop up, and get to the shoulder of the wave.
How to use a shortboard as a beginner?
Floating and paddling on your shortboard: for a beginner surfer, this step takes time (much less on a larger board). You have to find the right body placement for paddling, such that your board is as flat as possible on the water. On a shortboard, every inch counts!
How do I find the right stance for surfing?
Your pop largely determines the rest of your ride. Riding the wave: on a shortboard, keeping your back foot at the rear pad, bending your knees with your weight on the back foot, and steering with your front shoulder will help you find the right stance.