Why More Effort = Worse Surfing (And What to Do Instead)
When waves are small or slow, most surfers do the same thing:
They panic.
They paddle harder.
They pop up early.
And then they wonder why they feel stuck, stiff, or out of sync with the wave.
Here’s the fix – and why forcing it is killing your flow.
1. Stop Standing Too Early
If you pop up before the wave’s given you speed, you stall.
Instead:
– Wait until the wave lifts your tail
– Glide in with your chest up
– Feel the board start planing
– Then move your feet
Let the wave give you energy. Don’t try to force it.
2. Legs Out = Drag
Kicking while you paddle? Legs splayed like a V? You’re slowing yourself down.
Fix it:
– Keep legs together, relaxed
– Focus on long, smooth strokes
– Stay level in the water
Paddling isn’t a sprint – it’s a rhythm.
3. The “Lizard Paddle” Ruins Your Line
Ever seen someone’s head wobble left-right-left while paddling? That’s the lizard.
It:
– Kills your momentum
– Wastes energy
– Throws your stroke off-line
Solution:
Keep your head still. Straighten your line. Let your arms move – not your spine.
4. Don’t Get Stuck on the Back Foot
Another killer: standing up and leaning back immediately.
This:
– Sinks the tail
– Stops momentum
– Prevents rail engagement
Instead:
– Stack your weight forward
– Keep your back straight and arms up
– Ride down the face with the wave, not against it
5. Arch to Avoid Nose Dives
Feeling like the board keeps flipping under you?
Chances are, you’re too far forward – or not gliding in cleanly.
Cue:
The “Oreo Biscuit” technique. Arch your back, lift your chin, and feel the board move before you pop.
More glide = less guesswork.
6. Energy ≠ Tension
Trying harder doesn’t mean surfing better.
When you force things:
– You tense up
– You lose flow
– You miss the wave’s subtle cues
Watch the good surfers. They look effortless, even in gutless waves. Why?
They’re light. Relaxed. Upright. Arms up. Back straight. Eyes scanning.
They feel the energy. The rest follow it.
How TRAX Helps You Kill the Right Habits (Not the Wave)
TRAX shows:
– When you popped up
– How far forward you were
– Where your weight landed
– Whether your paddling helped – or just churned bubbles
It highlights the hidden tension. The early stands. The bad paddling habits.
So you can stop muscling waves – and start gliding into them with confidence.
Related Reading:
→ Fix Your Surf Pop-Up — Control starts before you even stand
→ Paddle Better, Catch More Waves – Without Burning Out — Speed = efficiency, not effort
→ Why Small Waves Might Be the Best Surfing Teacher — Bad conditions reveal everything
