The number of times I've started to take off, only to have the front of the board dive under the water...
Way, way too many times. Including about 5 times today.
The strange thing is that I can paddle all day with my feet in the same position, but when I put those few strong strokes into it when taking off, the board just ducks under.
Has anyone else had this problem?
JP 8'2 x 32.
Jiesh nebbian I had this problem all the time when I went to a shorter and lower volume SUP. I eventually overcame it by stepping my back foot even further back when paddling for a wave. I blame it on the further leaning forward to put in the powerful strokes as well as the extra pull from those strokes. Also I suppose when the wave begins to lift the back of the board it would assist in tipping the nose under.
Sometimes this problem is exacerbated by the wave having a small swell bulge right in front of the nose when I want to take off. The good news is after a few months of practice I hardly ever get caught out any more. The bad news is I have recently purchased a 7'2 Hyper Nut and it's like learning all over again as at my weight of 95kg the nose pearls for nothing and I am constantly pearling my takeoffs even though I know what I should be doing.
Select to expand quotenebbian said..
The number of times I've started to take off, only to have the front of the board dive under the water...
Way, way too many times. Including about 5 times today.
The strange thing is that I can paddle all day with my feet in the same position, but when I put those few strong strokes into it when taking off, the board just ducks under.
Has anyone else had this problem?
JP 8'2 x 32.
Adjust stance a little with more weigh on back foot....simples.
"The strange thing is that I can paddle all day with my feet in the same position, but when I put those few strong strokes into it when taking off, the board just ducks under."
Wave riding is completely different than paddling around, it requires happy feet. Not only do you need to get back on the tail while dropping in, but you also need to move around on the board while riding the wave, moving forward if loosing the wave, moving back when dropping in, moving to the inside rail while going down the line, moving to the outside rail, with weight on the rear foot while doing a cut-back,,,,,,,,,, happy feet are feet always moving around.
From your description, it sounds like you are just getting into wave riding for the first time, maybe having never surfed, but it's never too late.
Nebbian, I find this problem with traditional shaped short boards, but no sign of it with the square shaped boards.......the difference is very noticeable.
My board is a Minion, but I find similar shapes perform the same way.
I have a JP 8,2 wide body as well but haven't had this problem. I paddle with one foot just in front of the other which helps my rear foot slide back quickly if needed to avoid nose diving...this board does have a wide nose and a bit of volume up the front so you do need to be back n I find my rear foot is hard against the tail pad wedge when dropping into any size... Hope this helps
Nearly the same as GoodDR, riding a board close to the Minion but shorter, my board sink the nose for the first third of the face then nose rise up in the second and third part of the face .
Pearling the nose is much better than staying on the back face of the wave standing to far back on the board.
Select to expand quote
Kami said..
Nearly the same as GoodDR, riding a board close to the Minion but shorter, my board sink the nose for the first third of the face then nose rise up in the second and third part of the face .
Pearling the nose is much better than staying on the back face of the wave standing to far back on the board.
I ride shorter boards than kami and never pearl, never sink the nose either.
here is one of them
Select to expand quotelaceys lane said..
Kami said..
Nearly the same as GoodDR, riding a board close to the Minion but shorter, my board sink the nose for the first third of the face then nose rise up in the second and third part of the face .
Pearling the nose is much better than staying on the back face of the wave standing to far back on the board.
I ride shorter boards than kami and never pearl, never sink the nose either.
here is one of them
My 10 year old daughter has the same board 
As said above always surfer stance and change your line a little put a slight angle on your take off stop taking off straight into the pit.
nebs when paddling for the wave you are leaning forward to dig deep to paddle. Instead try bending your knees more, while not looking down so much. This will power up your stroke with out putting too much weight forward. I noticed on Sunday you were leaning forward a lot when paddling in to waves
From your avatar I guess you are a (long time?) windsurfer...
You will have to learn to move on your board, shed the habits of riding strapped.
Surfing is reading the wave and adapting to it, especially with the feet position and body weight... Move it!
Select to expand quoteLoz79 said..laceys lane said..
Kami said..
Nearly the same as GoodDR, riding a board close to the Minion but shorter, my board sink the nose for the first third of the face then nose rise up in the second and third part of the face .
Pearling the nose is much better than staying on the back face of the wave standing to far back on the board.
I ride shorter boards than kami and never pearl, never sink the nose either.
here is one of them
My 10 year old daughter has the same board
But seriously , SUP are pearling or going nose under water like I do some time on the first third of the wave because shortSUP have flat entry at nose and dont need scoop like shortboard need.
This flat entry nearly flush to the water level is opposite principle to the lifted nose of the shortboard. Shortboard need a lot of front scoop to lift up of water when you are still paddling for the wave more than to avoid sinking the face when you get the head first to the bottom in a late reentry, for example.
Dear Lacey this is why I prefer shortSUP to short boarding now because the meanest thing I love in shortSUPing is the way I glide early at the top of the wave when shorties are still paddling leaning into the wave gap awaiting to send his front leg forward.
Briefly, I better like to do nose pearling in a fun early take off almost on every wave I catch rather than doing very rarely world champ top move on a hortboard .
ShortSUP has same challenge than short board with more fun
as a 54 year old,I take that 'my ten year old daughter has the same board as a compliment' even tho its not meant to be 
Select to expand quoteKami said..
Nearly the same as GoodDR, riding a board close to the Minion but shorter, my board sink the nose for the first third of the face then nose rise up in the second and third part of the face .
Pearling the nose is much better than staying on the back face of the wave standing to far back on the board.
I have also started to catch some waves on the Hyper Nut like this Kami. I have noticed if it only pearls a bit I can often ride it till it pops out but is taking a bit of getting used to.
I used to have this problem and can only echo some of the comments above:
1. Wave selection - if it has a steep drop be quick to get your back foot further back (with weight on that foot) at the critical time. It is possible to almost free-fall and not pearl.
2. Surfer stance - it is much easier to shift your weight forward and back. Even if you have to switch as you just begin to catch the wave - but practice paddling in surfer stance so you are more comfortable.
3. Get a bit of angle to the wave - even if you start straight, turn as quickly as you can (before the nose is at the bottom of the wave)
4. Bend your knees - they act better as shock absorbers and you can push back by straightening your back leg - but you need to shift your weight too
5. Don't give up. Even if the nose starts to go under you can still recover. Force the board back up.
When I started I use to Pearl on take off. Getting yourself set up is the key to stop this from happening.
Its looking good this week if you are keen to hit the water and can show you a few things... maybe even a couple spots YEW 
Hmmm that last shot looks a bit... shallow... and not much room for error!
Gotta be in it to win it I guess
Last few sessions I've been stepping back a lot earlier, big difference.
I saw a mate a while back get launched about 10 feet through the air after pearling on takeoff - he was the human slingshot - it was awesome! [he was alright!]
Maybe your taking off too slowly or too straight to the shore?
Select to expand quotehilly said...Greenroom said..
maybe even a couple spots YEW
err NO
Gets pretty lonely down here without you Hilly.
Windy Miller has got himself a road bike and lycra
Select to expand quoteFreefaller said..Select to expand quoteI saw a mate a while back get launched about 10 feet through the air after pearling on takeoff - he was the human slingshot - it was awesome! [he was alright!]
Maybe your taking off too slowly or too straight to the shore?
Happened to me once coming in from an ocean paddle into the surf. My 12'6" falcon pearled (my fault) and catapulted me forward. Quite a ride and a great show for the people on the beach.
Select to expand quotePeoplesChamp said..Freefaller said..I saw a mate a while back get launched about 10 feet through the air after pearling on takeoff - he was the human slingshot - it was awesome! [he was alright!]
Maybe your taking off too slowly or too straight to the shore?
Happened to me once coming in from an ocean paddle into the surf. My 12'6" falcon pearled (my fault) and catapulted me forward. Quite a ride and a great show for the people on the beach.
Pearling a 12'6" board and you didn't snap it in two? You were lucky!
