Surfing Waves

.....to pop up.


Hi all

I've been surfing for a few years now. I started on a 7"10', then went to a 9"4' as I thought the mellow days were the way forward.

However, about 6 months ago I bought a 6"10' dove tail. It's beautiful....until I get on it!

I've noticed that on the long and mini-mal I use my toes to get up - and I get up every time.

On the 6"10' I really struggle. I've watched videos, watched friends, practiced on the floor / bed / sand / sofa....and I can do the whole press up and throw legs underneath every time without using feet, until I'm on the board! I completely faff it everytime!

The only successfull rides I've had are when I get my back leg in place before popping up, then use the back leg to help me get up - I believe it's called the australian sprint?.....anyway, is this ok or have I learnt bad habbits from the long board?

I just can't seem to get it right and I want to go shorter again but am reluctant until I've nailed this 6"10'. Also, is there a different point in time to pop up on the shorter boards? On the long ones I paddles, let the wave lift me to the top, then the board seems to float there till I get up and plant the front foot. The short one seems to need me popping up as soon as I feel the lift coming?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated....

What ever you do think about doing it fast. I think I do the same as you when I so called pop up haha!. I do it fast though. I'm not sure if I did it that way when I was a kid or I just do it that way now because I'm 46 LOL! I didn't even know I did it till I saw a video.
It sure can make for some pressure dings on a PU board from your knee (forward leg).

Bringing your back leg forward to pop up on a shorter board is alright in some situations. Usually on a softer wave/slower take off. If you're taking off deeper, or on a steeper wave, taking that time to bring your leg up is going to screw you. You have to pop to your feet as soon as you start dropping, sometimes a bit earlier. Once you get this down you'll surprise yourself at the takeoffs you can start making.
When you're practicing your pop ups for a shorter board, make sure you're popping up off of your knees. Lay down on your mat (or whatever you practice on) and raise your toes just a little bit off the mat, like an inch or something. Then pop up. You might already be doing it this way, but I thought I'd put that out there just in case.

edit; just reread your post where it said "I can do the pop-up without feet every time." So ignore the second half of my post.

i had a similar problem

i have drilled it so many times on a plastic board in myroom - but u cant expect to replicate it on the water, but i have found that drilling the right technique - using the front knee to hoist me up, has much improved my takeoffs. im not sure exactly what i do in the water, but the dry training defo helped

i always seem to bang my knees when practising at home on the floor, any tips how I can get them to clear the ground anyone ?

bang them how? what technique are you using?

just before pop up my back is arched, my feet are off the ground and my knees are on touching the ground, when i pop up i seem to use my knees to help pop up and catching my knees as my legs come under me

hmm, well I use my knee to elevate my body so i can swing my legs under me, though catching my toes has been a problem at times, if had to suggest something id say you need to use your knee to get yourself higher to avoid this

using your knees in any part of the pop up probably isnt the best idea. it should be one smooth motion otherwise there is a delay which is detrimental to your health on a late drop. The only time i use my knees is if it is an ultra slow wave and i need to keep super low or on take off if im tucking under a barell of something.

Practice is the cure to almost all woes.

here is what we discussed on the other forum

http://www.surfingsandiego.com/forum/fo ... p?TID=4320