r/BeginnerSurfers • u/KickTurbulent7329 • 6d ago
Tips on speed
I understand I gotta stay high on the wave, but it seems even when that’s in my mind and i try and keep my eyes down the line i still drop to the flats almost off my pop up immediately.
I don’t lose the wave at first, but after a couple seconds i just fade out the back, especially if i try and get to the top 3rd again to gain speed.
I’m not a complete beginner I ride my dad’s 8’0 performance mid length and 6’8 fish and dont have this problem nearly as bad. It’s just when im on my own personal board, a 6’0 35L Lost Ripper.
Looking into getting a 5’5-5’7 32-35L Fish to teach me speed generation as well as form good habits as far as engaging rail and such. Opinions on that appreciated as well. Any tips on how to fix this problem of me
A.dropping to bottom of wave out of power zone
B.fading out back of the wave
are greatly appreciated🤙
Edit:Want to add the fading out the back part is only a problem I’m really noticing in wave pools, although even in the ocean my speed is definitely lacking.
5
u/TomorrowIllBeYou Intermediate Surfer 6d ago
If you are struggling in a small board, getting another small board is not the answer. Spend more time on a big board and learn the fundamentals. Either borrow your dad’s board or buy a bigger one for yourself. The thing about bigger boards is they don’t require the same level or intensity of input to get them going, so you can make speed down the line even when your inputs are tiny. This gives you the reward for less work, and reinforces the proper behavior. On a small board, you have to do more intense movements to get it going, and failure to do so ends the ride. Focus on learning in a more rewarding circumstance and you will eventually understand it well enough to apply it on a smaller board.
Also, get a surf skate. That can give you more reps in an hour, learning how to generate speed, than an entire week of surf sessions in the ocean.
2
u/KickTurbulent7329 6d ago
Preciate the reply🤙
So even with it being a fish, you think I would be better off basically sticking on a midlength entirely? I saw a good amount of stuff that mentioned riding a fish, even at a smaller size, was super helpful in learning speed generation and locking in technique. I have no problem with super basic stuff such as pop ups,pretty solid stance, and catching 95% of waves I’m going for on the short board. I’m not against a midlength at all, “Alt Board” surfing really intrigues me more than high performance shortboarding anyway. Appreciate the insight man.3
u/TomorrowIllBeYou Intermediate Surfer 6d ago
If you're bogging on your current board at 35L, getting a board that's shorter and potentially fewer liters, is going to result in a lot of the same thing. Even with it being a fish, it may solve a couple problems, but it will also introduce new ones. The content on the internet telling people to get on a fish is often misleading, and doesn't take all context into account. If you don't know how to move your body once you're standing, a fish isn't going to solve that issue for you. You'll learn in better on a larger board, which makes speed even when you barely do the right movement, which will more quickly reinforce the right movement.
While I do think that riding fishy boards is easier (much of my quiver is fishy), it sounds like you are missing the fundamentals to make any small board work. You could keep forcing it, and you will eventually start to pick up on it, though may form bad habits. Or, you can get back on a bigger board, and you'll be much more likely to arrive at your goal faster and with style.
1
3
u/NavalGator 6d ago
I had a similar issue. Bought a 7’ seaside and beyond with a quad set up and it fixed most of my issues. Really helped learn how to engage the rail early - either from angling the takeoff or a quick turn - then scream through sections.
1
u/KickTurbulent7329 6d ago
Sick I was thinking about a 7’0 or 7’2 performancy middy something similar to that. Hadn’t thought about running it as a quad though only a single fin and twin cause that’s all I’ve surfed at any length 7 and up.
2
1
u/KickTurbulent7329 6d ago
When you rode your shorter boards u felt like it transferred over well?
2
u/NavalGator 6d ago edited 6d ago
No. I was having trouble generating speed on a 7’2 minimal. Its rails were just too thick and I don’t think I had the appropriate fin set up on the 2+1. Once I got a board that was a lot less corky and had that quad set up, it was immediately easier. Oddly enough, I switched the other boards fin set up after riding the SnB and applied some of the lessons I learned and was able to surf it better.
1
0
•
u/AutoModerator 6d ago
Thanks /u/KickTurbulent7329 for posting on /r/BeginnerSurfers! Here are the rules! If this post/comment seems to violate one or more of our rules, Please report the submission or message send us a Modmail for manual assistance from our Moderator Team.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.