Surfing Waves

Hi,
I hope someone can help me here...
I took few surfing beginners lessons and I loved it. Unfortunately I don't live near to the surfing waters and have to go away to surf. As this is not very frequent it's like starting from the beginning each time I can catch waves and pop up (according to instructor I get up like a ninja ) , but I can't stay on the board, I lose balance quickly and fall most of the times. I think part of the problem is in my head, as I'm not very confident standing up.
Now...after reading many articles and forums, I figured out that if I can get skateboard and practice on the land it may help me feeling more confident and improve my balance.

What's your view? Is there any point getting a skateboard (and learning skateboarding!!!)? If yes, which one to get? I'm completely lost, so many choices and I wouldn't want to spend huge amount of money. Otherwise I don't know what can I do to improve and progress my surfing without travelling 4-5hours (or abroad) to the water.

By the way: I'm quite fit, do yoga, strength training, rock climbing, running, cycling, martial arts in the past....

Thanks.
Aga

AgaKa wrote:I'm not very confident standing up.

Question: what's the first you you do in the morning after you get out of bed ?

AgaKa wrote:By the way: I'm quite fit, do yoga, strength training, rock climbing, running, cycling, martial arts in the past....

Yet you're having a hard time standing up ? Take what you learn from the other sports. How did you do your first day of Yoga ? Your first day rock climbing ? Not too good right ? You'll will get it with more time and experience.

AgaKa wrote:Now...after reading many articles and forums, I figured out that if I can get skateboard and practice on the land it may help me feeling more confident and improve my balance.

What's your view? Is there any point getting a skateboard (and learning skateboarding!!!)? If yes, which one to get?

Get a Carver ( or a Smoothstar ). Best thing I found to see immediate improvement in my student's ability to turn, create speed and flow through maneuvers.

waikikikichan wrote: Get a Carver ( or a Smoothstar ). Best thing I found to see immediate improvement in my student's ability to turn, create speed and flow through maneuvers.

Agree. I'm 5'7", 140#s and ride a Carver Resin C7. Surfskating helps with balance along with getting the feel of turning a surfboard ... and it's a great way to have fun every day! Here are some videos to get you started.

waikikikichan wrote:Question: what's the first you you do in the morning after you get out of bed ?

I'm doing better on the ground, than on moving water

Thanks for the advice. I've got my first surf skate (and board ever!) and loving it! Only managed to "learn" pumping and left turns, but will stick to it. Hope it will give me more confidence and improve my balance when I get back into water.

BoMan wrote:Agree. I'm 5'7", 140#s and ride a Carver Resin C7. Surfskating helps with balance along with getting the feel of turning a surfboard ... and it's a great way to have fun every day! Here are some videos to get you started.

Thank you so much for the videos! Very helpful

This video is filmed in Japan, but learning to carve on a skateboard and have fun is universal.