Ronald it is cool that you are still sailing in that surf.
We always called that "stick" a tiller extension. Frequently we would tell sailors that a light 2 finger touch on the helm or tiller extension is how to steer when ever possible. The boat should sail itself when well trimmed.
Other than that, did you try boom grip? Also the deck grip stuff with the adhesive back is thicker than boom grip and would make the tiller extension fatter.