Should I change my board?

[geong]

Hello everybody!

I started surfing last summer. I’m really addicted to it!
Mostly I go to La Jolla Shore and sometimes other beaches in San Diego area.
3-4fts hight normally.
I’m using a Quiver Therapist 6’6” 20 2 3/4 Short board
I’m 5’9” tall 125lbs. I’m really light.
I have been to the water roughly 50 times.
I can ride some waves when it’s not too big.
However, when the waves are huge I can’t even paddle out because I have problem duck diving. Feel so hard to push the board deep into the water.
Is it because of the measurement of the board I’m using?
If that’s really the reason, what size of short board do you recommend me to get for this summer?
What does water tight mean?
Thank you very much!!!

[jaffa1949]

Hi Geong,
everything about your letter tells me it is the ocean's process of natural selection going against you.
A beginner you are and mastery you do not have ( said in best Yoda voice).
If you cannot duckdive you will not get out in any good size surf let alone a HUGE surf, you sound like you are making progress at normal rates but everything you do is still at the levels you can achieve after fifty go outs.

Practice everything, you should able to duck dive that board at your weight and its measurements.

The short answer= go surfing and improve at everything you do

[geong]

Ok
Thanks for your advise.
I will keep trying then!

[surf patrol]

Hi geong, welcome to Surfing Waves!

Duckdiving takes a lot of practice, and it's an essential skill to master if you don't want to limit yourself to the smallest surf. As jaffa says, your current board is duckdiveable (I think I've just made up a new word)

[geong]

haha
yes! i don't want to limit myself to the smallest surf. I will keep practicing.
I practiced this afternoon.
When I duckdive, the board usaully slip off to the back.
I mean after I push the board into the water with my hands and one foot, and the white water hit, my body will fall forward and my board will slip backward.
I watched a lot of tutorial videos but i don't know why that happen.
what should I do?
thanks again
I learned so much in this forum

[jaffa1949]

Geong, as much as it's simple thing have a look around the site, there are explanations of how to do most basic skills, use the search function.
https://surfing-waves.com/surfing_lesson_three.htm

the other thing of course is, you need to hold on to your board

[geong]

ok thanks!

[IB_Surfer]

ok, so you got some great advice, but here is the rub: the smaller the board then yes it will be easier to duckdive but also harder to ride for a begginer. So do you want to duckdive or surf?

However, if you are anything like me, you will be thinking that the board is too big every time you go surfing. What do you do? Simple, call some shops and see who has loaner, I don't know any in La Jolla but Bunker surf in PB and Encinitas will let you test drive some boards. Take it for a test drive, if you don't catch any waves stick to the one you have, if you do then maybe you are ready for a smaller board.

Lastly, if you don't mind surfing OB pier my loaner board is 6'6 x 19 1/2 x 2 1/2 if you want to give it a spin...