[GIMP] Need Help with Design

So, I am making a calendar for a contest on one of the games I play (Perfect World), and this is what I have so far. The only part I decently like is the background I found and I do like the calendar, but other than that I feel like it has nothing. I would like to find a way to get a surf board in by the panda guy, so it looks like he is surfing then make it a little bit 3D and maybe some splash, but I just can't figure out how to accomplish the surfboard and ,honestly, I can't really figure out if that is the way I want to even go. Any ideas? Tips etc? How is it so far even, worth continuing? I don't do much GFX, but I decided I would try.

 

Hmm.. I have some experience with Gimp, but not much.
First, I'd recommend you using layers (if you don't already do). I think if you have the panda in it's own layer it would be easy to add the surf board between the panda and the background.

 

Yeah, it is 4 layers so far. Thanks for the advice, I think that might work. Does it look decent atleast? I tried to digitize the wave with some sharpening etc. and I think it turned out decent, any tips would be nice