Am I too far forward on my shortboard when I'm paddling for waves?

Hi folks, I got a new board a few weeks back and I've been out on it a few times in waist to shoulder high waves. It paddles nicely and catches waves without issues. The shadow of my wetsuit has started to form on the wax and you can see the chest and the knee imprints. On take off when I get to my feet, my leading foot is roughly where my chest was and my trailing foot is roughly where my knees were (see the arrows in the pic). The board is 5'9 and I am 5'6, so maybe it is not surprising that my trailing foot ends up in front of the traction pad instead of on the traction pad. After take off I generally try to move my trailing foot back and thus widen my stance. If I try to position myself further back the board while paddling it just feels all wrong and makes me reluctant to experiment with a further back position.

What do people think? Do you change paddling position based on the power of the waves or always keep the same position?

what a mess today, but I hear Clay and Anthony's voice and noticing a difference in my mind of calmness, playfulness instead of uptightness. To go out in the worst conditions, because why not, then it might be a chance to calm myself down. That was my focus the last two days. Yes, I sucked at it and that is okay. 

Hi! I'll be in Indo in one month approx. I am looking for help selecting the board I should choose. I am a intermediate/lower intermediate surfer, I can do non radical turns in the waves (which I would like to improve/radicalize) and I can get inside of barrels but haven't properly gotten out of one.

I like decently sized waves and I'm looking to get into bigger stuff while there, though I haven't ever been in anything proper big, and probably won't be on this trip.

I am 1m83cm and weigh around 80kg and I am in good(ish) paddling shape.

I was thinking Indo rocket from Jim Banks, around 6'2 6'3 but this is my first time in Indo and first time surfing proper shallow reef so I am totally open to suggestions and recommendations.

I am looking for all rounder that shines when the surf is good and one I can get a proper barrel if the opportunity arises.

If there's any more info needed please let me know, thank you very very much in advance.

Best,

Trufa

Thoughts on adding a tail pad to a mid length?  Just got a 7’ custom mid length that is geared a little more toward the performance side.  So plan on doing more than just trimming down the line.  But if we are mostly weighing to the front foot on our turns, does it make sense to still have a tail pad?