Not sure about the first one. Haven't uploaded something for review in a while. But regarding the second one you probably used the wrong button. Use the first one from the left. I know it's counter intuitive. See screenshot.

Fully agree. And as an interesting comparison I've made a lot more progress during the same time than some other friends that have not picked up skating.

Did you see that Robinson vs. Gentil heat? Absolutely nuts.

or did you just mean how long in a set at any given time? In that case sorry for writing you a whole book.I have no set time for you but would argue its probably more important to do them often rather than for a long time. How long is a typical paddle out where you live? Maybe strive to double that.

It might be better to think of the blocks differently.

For me the process has been more circular (or spiral shaped if you will), rather than linear. What I mean is that I go though the blocks (also assuming I can actually do certain stuff) and then at some point I realise I now know stuff that makes me question myself and go through the whole thing again. Now the second time I'll be at a slightly higher level than the first time. And then at some point I'll come back again...

Or sometimes I go though them in reverse. For example: I want to improve my snap. Then I realise I need to do a better bottom turn to do a better snap so I go do that block. Which makes me realise I nead to take a different line from takeoff to do a more U shaped takeoff. etc. etc.

I'm sure you've gotten my point by now. There is no set timeframe. Do what feels right and at some point you'll probably come back tot he same place, only with more knowledge and skills.

So I got the board, but I must admit I've only tried it a single session. A friend and I had a lot of fun falling off though.

It was very cheap. €100,- so I figured why not.

Its also very very short for me. I'm 186 cm/6'1, the board is 4'10. Found it hard to get my feet in the right place on the board on the mostly very short and punchy (but also mostly gutless) waves we have. I felt that on a longer smoother wave where you could take more time it probably would work well.

Maybe I should take it out on a slightly better than, but then I typically pock other boards...

Keeping your arms and shoulders up should help you get higher in those walls.

I'd also like to see you try a turn on that far right corner.

If you want Clayton to review specifically, there's a special link for that.

The actual shape of the board isn't very important. The trucks are what matter and those are also sold separately. As Graham mentioned the CX trucks by Carver are recommended.

Now if you've already bought a surf skate, there's no harm in trying that first to get you on your way. You can always swap out the trucks later.

So obviously its a bit far away but here's my two cents.

You seem to be gunning for the shoulder. When you look at the last section especially you've surfed quite far away from the pocket. You could try going down the wave a bit more to hit the waves more vertical. I think that would be a nice progression.

Secondly, and I might be wrong here because it's not easy to tell: I think your left arm might be blocking you from doing bigger top turns. I think I can see you left arm coming across on some turns.

I think if you would combine a staying a bit more in the pocket (more nose to the beach on the drops), with a bit more vertical approach to the turns and opening up your left arm and shoulder you could get some really sweet progression to much more vertical surfing.

Would that make sense to you?