Surfing Waves

IS gripping rails a bad thing to do since I seem to still do it within my pop up. When I go out on those head high days it seems if I pop up by my lower ribs doing a push up rather then grabbing the rails, then I will fall down the face . Does anyone contiune to grab their rails while surfing and should I quit this habit?

well it depends how fast you pop up, i grab the rails still after 3 years but my pop up is so fast it doesnt matter

Supposadly gripping the rails makes popping up slower (cany speak with much authority here as ie never gripped em ) but your comment on bigger waves sounds like it has little to do with gripping the rails sounds like you are leaning too far forward when popping up causing you to fall. I gues making the transition will be a good step but i hardly think its going to make a massive change. Nah this sounds like its more to do with weight distribution either that or you are taking off way too straight.

Don't grab that as it just gives you an inch less room to get your legs under, it isn't as grippy, and it can ding your rails.

It's not a major problem, I know plenty of surfers that do it...just if you go by the book you shouldn't

i dont think its that important whether you grab or put your hands flat its more important that you get the pop up nailed in one smooth motion. i couldnt tell you what i do when i pop up coz its all so quick.

If i want to discontinue gripping the rails while popping up should I just practice at home on the floor? It will be probably be a bit harder trying to not grip the rails but I guess it slows your popping up down a bit which I'll be able to quicker.

i grab my rails when i popup seems to work ok for me. i just cant get my head round putting my hands flat on the deck

Never have grabed my rails but no some who do that surf just fine. Find what works for you and fun at it.

I don't grab the rails, but I always wax them where I'll be putting my hands. Saw a dude on short board go to pop one once, and his hands slipped off the board, which in turn meet his face in a very violent manner.

WooD wrote:I don't grab the rails, but I always wax them where I'll be putting my hands. Saw a dude on short board go to pop one once, and his hands slipped off the board, which in turn meet his face in a very violent manner.

ive done that, normally results in a scramble to the feet which then end up in TOTALLY the wrong place and I go ar$e over t!t down the face of the wave

I also wax my rails, I tend to have to grab there when I mess up.

I too have learned to wax my rails, having also had my hands slip many times (i'm a rail grabber!). Never been hit in the face tho, usually just stack it off the side of the board!

i grab and wax my rails its easyer

I wax and grip my rails, but i think i just push up with the palm of my hand.