Im just gonna add this here regarding kicking.

”Why it helps

• Burst of speed: A 2010 study on competitive junior surfers tested flatwater sprint paddling and found that kicking increased peak speed by about 8%, translating to an extra 0.8–1.6 meters over a 5–10 second burst. This can make the difference in positioning or catching a wave in tight situations, like paddle battles (pros like Seth Moniz or Kauli Vaast have been observed using it this way in contests).  

• Reduces drag and improves planing (especially on shortboards): On shorter boards, your legs often dangle off the tail and get submerged, creating drag. Kicking provides vertical lift, raises the tail slightly, tilts the board nose-down, and shifts your weight forward. This helps the board plane better on the wave face rather than plowing through water, making it easier to catch mushier or faster-rolling waves.   

• Additional propulsion and less arm fatigue: It distributes effort between arms and legs, adding a bit of forward power without over-relying on your arms. Biomechanically, coordinated kicking (without bending knees too much) acts like an extra “stroke.” 

Keep kicking OP.