Your first step is to walk your board out until you are in waist-to-chest deep water. Lay your body on the deck of your board, being careful to keep your weight centered on the middle of the board. The natural tendency is to lean back towards the tail of the board, but this causes the nose to rise and create resistance when you're trying to get moving.
Instead, keep your chest just above the center point of the board. Once you feel stable, lean forward and let your nose and tail level out. Now you're ready to get moving! Alternately paddle your arms with cupped hands. The more resistance you feel, the faster you'll go. As you hit bumpy water or "chop", lift your chest slightly and lessen your weight on the board so the nose and rails don't go under.
Remember that you will be balancing your right and left sides, head, and legs all while you paddle your board out to the lineup. Check the next article for information on "duck-diving" under breaking waves!
