Any guidance is much appreciated.
I bought a used JP 8'10" X 30" for my first board and it looks like a massive short board, with decent rocker and a pin tail. On flat water it's all good (not what I bought it for though) in the sea it's pretty frustrating (lots of falling off, but slowly improving). after 3 sessions I finally caught 1 wave. My question is :would you persevere with the board or sell it and get something a bit bigger. I'm 6'2" and 90kg with reasonable surf skill. Thanks for any advice.

Practice skills in flat water and in small swells (where it's quiet) - things like turning for a wave, getting up onto the board quickly. See how much of the nose you can get out of the water whilst turning without falling off, paddling on both sides whilst paddling fast etc.

It's also worth practicing falling off - there is a right way to do it. Even practice paddling when it's a bit onshore - it's hard, but worth it.

Ideally you should have started with something bigger. To me a longboard SUP is best to start with, because as you improve - you'll still use it on small days or nice point waves.

The JP would be a perfect second board for you.

At your size, I'd spend a lot of time paddling in on my knees, then standing up to ride waves.
Try to stand paddling out, and to get into position.
Gradually work on standing to actually position, catch, and ride.
That board is closer to final goal than starter wave setup.

That nose and pin tail will be tough to learn waves on even though the length and volume are ok. If it has a center fin box you can try putting a big center fin further back to stabilize the board and make it track better for learning.

As was said previous you probably need more flat water practice. I recommend 10 days flat water practice before trying waves and study video paddle instruction carefully. Skill with the paddle is the biggest factor in balancing on the board for me. It took me 3 previous boards to progress to my current smaller sup and even then I struggled with standing between waves on each size down, other than my 1st board which was very stable. Even when I had trouble standing I was catching plenty of waves and having a great time. The falls in between waves usually don't bother me, but on a bad day multiple falls in a row can get me pretty frustrated. Most people have a low threshold for falling all the time on unstable sups.

If you are having fun I would stick to it thats all that really matters. After a few wave sessions If the waves are small and forgiving and you can still only catch 1-3 waves a session the board is definitely holding you back from progressing. On a challenging day wave count can be low regardless of skill.

What was it Laird said, something about having to humble yourself to learn this sport....

You could sell the JP and buy a used Longboard style board at around 10' X 30 inches wide. This would be more stable and something you could keep forever. The JP you will probably grow out of once you get better but a Longboard style is always good to have.

It's a stable board for your size, try flat water small surf to progress quicker, the above advise is on the money. Surf stance, 1/2 to 1 foot in front of other, (either side's of middle-eg handle) wide, knees bent, use you paddle as an outrigger as need. Keep moving. I'm 6ft, 90-100 kg (Xmas holidays haven't been kind, on the figure) I ride, 120 L 8'5" and ready for the next size down., 105/110 L.

It hurts some people to down size to quick, but probably not worth changing board size now, especially consider surfing back ground.

Find the right conditions to progress in will be the key, to get you comfortable on your board. All the best ??

Nerdburger said..
It's a stable board for your size, try flat water small surf to progress quicker, the above advise is on the money. Surf stance, 1/2 to 1 foot in front of other, (either side's of middle-eg handle) wide, knees bent, use you paddle as an outrigger as need. Keep moving. I'm 6ft, 90-100 kg (Xmas holidays haven't been kind, on the figure) I ride, 120 L 8'5" and ready for the next size down., 105/110 L.

It hurts some people to down size to quick, but probably not worth changing board size now, especially consider surfing back ground.

Find the right conditions to progress in will be the key, to get you comfortable on your board. All the best ??

Again, solid advice. Thanks ??