Thinking of SUP'ing, need some advice.

[Sponge]

Hello everyone. I live in San Diego California and a few years back started trying to learn how to surf. I started out on a 9'0 longboard and ended up switching between several boards here and there, my last board was also a 9'0 board which I sold not long ago. 9'0 is the biggest surfboard I've ever had and right now all I have is a wave stormer and some really good bodyboards.

I never learned how to catch a proper wave before it breaks on a surfboard. I got really good at catching white water, I got to where I could jump up real fast and had a lot of balance as well, I'd always ride the white water in as far as I wanted to and never fell. I felt that I had a lot of balance, but when I would try to paddle to the "outside" or to the lineup and catch waves, I could never catch them. The only time I could catch waves is right before they would start to peak and it all happened so fast, I could never get up and ride it properly. I would either "go over the falls", pearl under, or simply not catch the wave.

I still am not sure what my problem was. I checked my technique over and over, about where I was on the board, how I was paddling, how many times to paddle once the wave picked me up, etc. Everything seemed to be correct but I still could only begin to catch a wave when it was steep and it felt like if I wasn't up on my board in about 1.5 seconds it was all over, which I could never do. So I got into bodyboarding, which has been a whole lot of fun. I've learned how to go to the outside on it, I started catching proper waves the first week, even some larger ones. It's only been a few months now and I'm already bodyboarding quite well and looking for spots with really big waves to advance on, I just can't stop thinking "Why couldn't I surf?".

I finally came to the conclusion that it was one of two things. The first being, my board might not have been big enough. I'm a big guy, 6'2 and 215 pounds, I've been told by some people that for a longboard I needed something bigger than 9'0 if I was a beginner and looking to catch smaller waves further out. I still don't know, and even on the wavestormer I can't make it work, and I heard foam boards caught waves the earliest, but then again it's only 7'6. But, the most likely conclusion I came to is the fact that I just can't jump up quick enough. Because of this, I started looking into SUP's.

I've always had a lot of balance once I'm actually up and standing, and I've heard with a big SUP you can catch the waves even before most longboarders can. I would already be in a standing stance so when I felt the wave pick me up I would just change to a surfing stance. I'm sure it takes practice but it sounds like something I feel I could accomplish.

I just wanted you folks opinion on this before I spent any money on it or got more serious into it. I also wanted to know if you had any SUP recommendations for me if I start looking into them, something as inexpensive as possible but something that for my size could catch the smallest of waves the easiest and furthest out.

Anyhow, thank you for your time!

[Strand Leper]

This is either a troll, or a very sincere well spoken gentlemen... I am going with troll.

[Sponge]

This is either a troll, or a very sincere well spoken gentlemen... I am going with troll.

Not sure how this could be seen as trolling, so I'll take that as a compliment.

Sorry for any grammar or spelling mistakes though, it just kind of came off the top of my head like that.

I also hope I didn't imply that SUP is the easiest thing in the world either, I just think I had some kind of mental block with surfing or not the right equipment, I'm not sure. I would just like to ride proper waves (even if they are small) standing up some day, although I do really love bodyboarding for bigger waves. I doubt even if I learned how to SUP or longboard I could ever shortboard, so bodyboard will stay for the big days 

[Sup-position]

Consider taking some lessons.
I am sure there are several companies in San Diego.

You should learn how to prone surf first and learn surf etiquette.

Some one who is clueless and uninformed is a hazard in the line up.

Get some help.

Best of luck!

[Sponge]

You should learn how to prone surf first and learn surf etiquette.

Some one who is clueless and uninformed is a hazard in the line up.

I am not clueless and uninformed though, and know all about the etiquette of surfing. As I said, I've been bodyboarding for a few months now and am constantly in the line up and around other surfers and have never upset anyone. Years ago, I learned all about the etiquette of surfing, where to go, where not to go, when and how, what not to do, and of course not dropping in and cutting people off, etc. I also have always tried to surf a ways away from the experienced surfers and line ups when I was on my surfboards, I would do the same with a SUP board if I got one.

I've also done a ton of research into SUP, what to do and not do, and did a very large amount of research into surfing as well back when I was getting into it. I learned all about what to do, what not to do, even had some people show me the ropes. I know how to get out to the line up on a surfboard, how to get past waves, where to go and not go, and what to do to catch waves, stand up, etc. I've got it all down and been around it and people doing it for quite some time, it's just I can't jump up very fast.

Again, I still wonder if my boards were a tad bit small for me since I could never catch waves as they were building where a lot of other longboarders were catching them, even with my paddling technique proper and my trim on the board just right (had several longboarders tell me I was in the right spot on my board).

[H2Oman]

Why don't you plan to attend the free K-Five event in Carlsbad on the 19th.  It's not that far from SD.  You can try a bunch of boards and paddles,  and gets some feedback from reps and experts.  It's not surf, but any water time is good for skills.

Should be a fun day.

[Sponge]

Hey H2Oman. I remember they had something like this scheduled for May 23rd? I think it was. Something like that. It was at Ponto beach I believe. I went out to it that day, right during what should have been the middle of it and I'm sure I went to the right place to because I actually live here in Carlsbad (that's the part of San Diego I live in) but no one was out there. To be fair though, the conditions were horrible that day, it was really windy and choppy so they must have called it off or something.

I would totally like to go to that though, how exactly does it work? And do they not mind beginners to the sport coming? Again, I'm not completely stupid, and know pretty much how to get past the break, many techniques and such.

But yeah, thank you for showing that to me. I'll probably go to that!

[H2Oman]

Maybe this is a troll?

[Sponge]

Maybe this is a troll?

Why does everyone keep accusing me of being a troll? How am I trolling? I'm asking a legitimate question and trying to be polite about it. I mean, this is just a surfing forum, why would I want to even troll here? It's not like this is 4chan or something. Makes no sense...

[Strand Leper]

Sponge,

Sorry that I thought u might b a troll... Your plea appeared to mimic the short boarder gripes about SUPs in the lineup... And the their perception of the general skill level of SUP surfers (guys that couldn't learn how to surf)... And yes the 9 longboard was likely not the right board... U should have tried a similar sized hybrid shape...

Have fun with SUP... Remember though, don't SUP in crowds, don't hog waves, wear a leash, USE PROPER SURF manners, when at a beach break move from peak to peak, understand how to control your board before venturing out with others, and most of all... Have fun.

Ironically, there is an SUP hating guy on the surfer forum called sponge hater... So I thought that he might be you.

I still think that you are probably a troll wasting good folks' time... If u r a troll from the surfer forum... I hope u r enjoying your joke... It is pretty freaking funny...
Tim

[Sponge]

Sponge,

Sorry that I thought u might b a troll... Your plea appeared to mimic the short boarder gripes about SUPs in the lineup... And the their perception of the general skill level of SUP surfers (guys that couldn't learn how to surf)... And yes the 9 longboard was likely not the right board... U should have tried a similar sized hybrid shape...

Have fun with SUP... Remember though, don't SUP in crowds, don't hog waves, wear a leash, USE PROPER SURF manners, when at a beach break move from peak to peak, understand how to control your board before venturing out with others, and most of all... Have fun.

Ironically, there is an SUP hating guy on the surfer forum called sponge hater... So I thought that he might be you.

I still think that you are probably a troll wasting good folks' time... If u r a troll from the surfer forum... I hope u r enjoying your joke... It is pretty freaking funny...
Tim

Naw, "Sponge" is a nickname for bodyboarders, well, they call us "Spongers" and we call our bodyboards a "Sponge". I do love bodyboarding, and I totally respect every kind of surfing. I wish I could ride normal longboards, and who knows, maybe I could some day and maybe I just need a longer longboard, like a 10+ that would glide my larger frame better to catch waves earlier, what do you think? I've never really gone into detail with people about it, I guess I should ask some surf shops, but it always felt like they were just trying to sell me something and like almost anything they had in stock that they wanted to get rid of was "okay!" and would work for me, etc 

I don't think any form of surfing is any better, or worse, or less hard than the other. Even bodyboarding can be quite hard in big waves, it's just different. I have much respect for every kind of surfer. But even though I'm fairly athletic I just am not good at jumping up quick. Although I have read about another style of getting up on your board where instead of just "Jumping up" you put your trailing foot halfway forward first, then follow with your leading foot all the way, I could probably get the hang of that but as I said, the only time waves would ever even begin to pick me up was when they were getting quite steep and I didn't have time to do that or on whitewater. Who knows, maybe I just wasn't good at standing up while going downwards on a steep wave on my longboard or something.

I don't think SUPing is easier and I'm sure it takes lots of practice, it's just different. It looked interesting to me because you're already upright and standing, you just change your stance around a bit when catching a wave, and honestly when I'm up and standing I've got a lot of balance. Not just that but, SUP looks really cool to me. I always see SUP guys catching lots of waves out there to and just gliding around. It looks great, I just wonder if maybe it would help me surf to already be standing like on a SUP.

But yeah, still wondering if I do get into SUP what minimum specs I should look for on a board, and any recommendations on them, I'm 6'2 215 and would want something that would catch small waves as easily as possible but able to ride up to maybe waist high surf? I was looking at that BIC Jungle 11'4" ACS, but again I'm a noob to SUPs so I don't know lol.

[captjoetug]

Dude, I'm 6'1" 320#  big kahuna MF that surfs been surfing since I was 9 years old 44 years now.  The SUP allows me to enjoy the smaller waves that normally I would not be able to catch revitalizing my love of the sport.  Before getting into SUP I had to wait for really good days to get out and catch some waves.  I have a 11' 6" by 32" by 6" thick custom SUP  Tim Nolte that supports me and surfs well.  When I was thinking about getting into SUP I called Tim and he told me that I would be better served with one of his custom jobs that it is important for someone of my stature get a board to float him.  I told him that I wanted something to surf with definately not just flatwater and he did a great job.  Best longboard ever.  I never had a problem standing up while surfing but I am sure with practice you could do it.  I remember falling a lot at first and eating some humble pie as the other guys would razz you when you blew it on a nice wave but everyone of those dudes went through the same shit.  So don't sweat it.  Then again on a SUP you would already be standing but beware remaining standing in choppy conditions is no joke.  Good luck

[Sup-position]

We do Demos Every Weekend in Huntington Harbor.
We can put you on a variety of boards so you can
find your Groove. If you are serious this is your
opportunity. Under Demo Days.

www.Sup-position.com
Huntington Beach, California, USA

[Falco]

Sponge, you sound very similar to where I was a couple weeks back. I tried regular surfing on a longboard a bunch of times and was never awesome at it, but always thoroughly enjoyed it. I was 100X better at riding in whitewater than I was at catching legitimate waves. I'm about 5'10 220lbs so thought it was my size. I bought a 11' Jimmy Lewis Cruise Control this past weekend and have been out 3 times since then. No surf yet, just getting used to the basics on flat water. I think you should go to that demo, find a board you love, and never look back. It's an absolute blast and highly addicting.

[1tuberider]

Last knee boarder I loaned a long board to surf on had most of it down, you know paddling, taking the drop but

He popped up on his knees to ride.

If you are serious about surfing, get a big paddle board say over 11' and spend some time learning.  Most hard core surfers probably spent 5 years or more in the kook stages before things start connecting.