Surfing Waves

Sorry for the longish post but I'm relatively new to surfing, I have got a 9'2 longboard but I am quite heavy!! I can stand up on the board and ride it in but I can only pop up using my knees (terrible habit I know) I'm just wondering if anyone has any advice on how I can break the habit and any tips to popping up straight away. I've always wondered if it was my weight holding me back, would that have anything to do with me being unable to pop up?? Thanks for the help!

At the top of this page is a mouse over button that says Learn to Surf. If you mouse over that it will bring up the menu one of which is The Popup. In addition there is a search function that you could just type in popup and search the previous posts. Popping up is a common begginers problem so there are lots of thread offering lots of advice. I imagine popping up when you are very overweight will be an issue but I know nothing about how to vowercome that other than losing weight. Some problem may be in technique so make sure your hands are lower than your shoulders with the hand opposite of your front leg a little further back which opens up a little more room for your legs. You can practice popping up on the floor and work at the technique while you aren't surfing. Welcome to the forum

also youtube search for 'aussie sprinter' pop up method. Its '1/2 way' between using your knees and doing it properly, but for a longboard its fine most of the time

I am a complete noob too so not really great for advice but I have been practising pop ups for the past few months ready for when I get down to the beach for my first lesson.

one thing I have found really useful it to really work on some stretches and I was finding my flexibility to be a problem with getting my legs up underneath me. might be worth a go!

swim to build up the muscles you will need surfing