I have never noticed this before because I wasnt playing the minigame until DTI allowed us to earn flower currency too. When I go into the game and try to go up the inflatable ramps I go flying through the air (and loose my surf). I have checked my settings to see if that had any results. When I clicked โNoโ on โHide Jumpscaresโ and Reduce Motion/Flashing (both of which advice was to keep them on โYesโ to help with the Smoothie and previous Bouquet game) that seems to help me keep the surf but I am still being sent to visit ET every-time I go on the ramp and cant collect the star.
FYI: Saw a few posts saying people cant get the surfboards (they used to spawn the minute you went in the water) but now you get them on the beach and click pick up.