Why You’re Not Catching More Waves – And What to Do About It

Why You’re Not Catching More Waves – And What to Do About It

Feel like you’re putting in effort but barely catching waves? You're not alone – and it’s not just about paddling harder or getting lucky. Catching waves consistently is one of the most frustrating – and misunderstood – parts of progressing as a surfer.

If you're stuck watching waves roll past, struggling to paddle in, or getting out-positioned in every session, this one's for you.

Let’s break down the real reasons why you’re not catching more waves – and how to fix them.

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1. You’re Paddling for the Wrong Part of the Wave

Catching waves is all about positioning – and most surfers get this wrong by just a few feet.

If you're too far on the shoulder, the wave will pass under you. Too deep? You’ll get pitched or miss the drop. You want to be right at the steepest, most powerful part of the wave – the peak – without being too late or too early.

What to do:
– Get in the habit of looking over your shoulder while paddling
– Read the slope, not just the whitewater
– Learn what “too steep” and “too flat” look like in real time

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2. You're Turning Your Back to the Wave Too Soon

A lot of surfers spin and paddle for a wave before actually reading what it’s doing. Once you turn your back, you lose information – you can’t adjust to shifts in the wave shape, steepness, or direction.

Fix it like this:
– Stay facing the wave for as long as possible
– Paddle diagonally so you can keep looking
– Pivot later, when you're more certain of the timing

This alone can transform your wave count.

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3. You’re Not Using the Right Paddle Technique (or Enough Speed)

It’s not about thrashing – it’s about efficient power. Many surfers lose waves because they either under-paddle or keep poor technique when accelerating.

Try this:
– Keep your stroke powerful and consistent – don’t change your form under pressure
– Increase your stroke rate, not sloppiness
– Add 2–3 extra strokes after you think you’ve caught the wave – most surfers stop paddling too early

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4. You Don’t Know When You’ve “Caught” the Wave

Ever had that moment where it felt like you were gliding… then nothing? That’s often from not knowing when to stop paddling and pop up. Timing this is tricky and usually only gets better with reps – or with good feedback.

Signs you’ve caught it:
– You feel the board start to glide under its own speed
– The nose lifts slightly or stays level with no extra paddling
– You feel forward momentum without effort

If you’re still paddling when you should be standing, you’ll often get dragged down the face and miss it entirely.

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5. You’re Sitting in the Wrong Spot (Even If It Looks Right)

Sometimes you’re catching fewer waves simply because you’re in the wrong spot – even if it’s crowded. Lots of surfers just follow the pack to the “main peak,” but some of the best waves break in less contested zones just a few meters away.

Look for:
– Peaks with fewer people but decent shape
– Sandbars or inside sections that reform
– Subtle differences in wave color or shadow (darker = steeper)

A 2-meter shift can be the difference between catching 2 waves and catching 10.

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6. Your Board Might Be Holding You Back

Yes, again. If you’re not catching waves – despite decent positioning and paddling – your board may be too small, too narrow, or too low in volume for your current skills or conditions.

A good board should let you catch waves early and paddle efficiently. If you’re struggling every session – especially in small surf – consider trying something with more volume.

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How TRAX Helps You Catch More Waves

Even with perfect advice, it's hard to improve if you don't know what you're actually doing wrong. TRAX changes that.

TRAX is a smart sensor that attaches to your board and syncs with an app to give you clear, personalized insights. It tracks:
– Your weight distribution during takeoff
– Where you’re too slow, too late, or too shallow
– Whether your paddle acceleration is timed right
– How your positioning changes wave to wave

Then it gives you feedback you can act on – plus drills to improve paddle technique, takeoff timing, and body positioning.

If you’re ready to catch more waves (without guessing why you’re missing them), sign up for early access to TRAX.
Let’s make your next session count.

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Are You Riding the Wrong Surfboard? – A mismatched board could be the reason you're missing waves.

5 Reasons Your Surfing Isn’t Progressing – Catching waves is just the start — here’s why you might still feel stuck.