How to Have More Control of Your Surfboard

When you are first starting to learn to surf, having control over your surfboard is a major issue. I started surfing at a crowded surf break and even though I surfed in the early mornings when the crowd was pretty minimal, I didn't feel I could control my surfboard very well. For one thing it was a long-board and I didn't know how to turtle roll properly. So, when the sets came in, if I wasn't far enough out in the ocean I would normally get drug by the big board almost all the way to the shore. Definitely not in control of the surfboard.

For me I found that I had more control of a shorter surfboard and I actually learned to duck waves with the smaller surfboard. So for me, all I had to do is find a lighter smaller surfboard that floated me well. Then the control issue was pretty much solved. Sure, I might have had to paddle a bit harder to catch waves. In order to catch more waves I also worked on making my move for the wave a few seconds earlier. This makes a difference in surfboard control also. Try to anticipate the wave, watch for it farther out in the ocean and anticipate what it is going to do.

Having more control of your surfboard on the wave is a different story. Again, your surfboard size and shape is a factor, but the easiest thing to change on your surfboard to have more control on the wave is your fins. I can't count how many times I have had a new surfboard shaped and I needed more bite on the wave, more drive down the line and essentially more control over all. When that happens I run to the surf shop and buy longer and stiffer fins, which really helps with the control.

Try it once, I bought new fins for my fish surfboard and the surfers named my surfboard the magic surfboard. They were longer and stiffer fins, I could ride larger waves and it gave me more control instantly. They made the surfboard feel like it was sticking to the wave.

So, a few major things come to mind as to having more control, surfboard size, your ability to maneuver the surfboard and also surfboard fins for riding the wave. Because surfing is really all about control!