Concentration and Focus

[Tenaciousgreen]

Now I know that surfing is about having fun and for me de-stressing, but I am having a little trouble focusing on particular aspects that I need to do to progress.

For example, I have a habit of not getting my back foot far enough back and when I think about correcting it, I start to paddle, start thinking about catching the wave, pop up and then realise I totally forgot to focus on the foot issue.

Same happens, when I think about my height (I tend to stand too tall) on the board.

Anyone any tips on how to focus on one issue. One of the problems too is I surf a beach break which is generally quite straight so the ride is often short and I don't have time to adjust.

[justloafing]

Well you know what your doing wrong. That is half the battle. Both should be easy to fix. Practice your popups on the floor and see where you want that back foot to be and hit that mark. As far as standing to straight up. Practice that on the floor too. You don't popup to straight up when first standing. You just have to stop yourself from doing that. That is just a habit to break. Practice on the floor with these two things would really help I would think. Then when you get out concentrate on those things until it is natural.

I would think too if your standing to straight up that your back foot maybe to forward to start with. Standing straigh up makes me think that maybe your feet are to close together. Practice a good wide base when doing the floor popups.

[garbarrage]

in a few more sessions you won't know any other way than the right way, just kind of happens that way! you pick the one thats most detrimental to your ride and focus on that first then move on till you have them all fixed.
JL's right about practicing popups, maybe a few on the beach before you head out will help aswell.

[isaluteyou]

practise practise practise - thats the best remedy to all woes

[parrysurf]

^ you are correct sir


rinse and repeat....cure all woes

[Beachbum]

Dont think about it will help even though it contradicts your idea of focusing on the issue. If I'm telling myself to pop up over and over before I catch the wave; I mess up lol.

[pkbum]

Dont think about it will help even though it contradicts your idea of focusing on the issue. If I'm telling myself to pop up over and over before I catch the wave; I mess up lol.

Yep, you need to realize this sooner so that you can be more confident.

[alimac2411]

yeah like has been said, practice, soon your pop up will be natural and almost always good. Then once you're relaxed with that you'll start to think about what else you can do.

[Tenaciousgreen]

Deep Inside I knew the answer I suppose, was just hoping that someone had a magical trick to help me. Going through a bit of a trough at the moment, having snapped a board a couple of weeks ago, I am holding back on my brand new one for fear of the same happenning, as I definately couldn't afford another one!!

[garbarrage]

how'd you snap your board?

[Tenaciousgreen]

I put a double crease in it about 9 weeks ago, fixed it myself, which appeared to be a good job, surfed it loads with no probs, then I went out in head high surf, sneaker set came through, I bailed dived a big wave, came up and the board was in two!!!

I wasn't even riding it, gutted. Have a new 6'6" DHD which seems to go well, when I do commit!!!

[garbarrage]

you bought the board to ride.... whatever happens, happens. unlikely to happen twice in quick succession unless you're out somewhere crazy...

in which case find somewhere less crazy.....

.... ya header!!