Taking off using the rails

[DaveS]

Hi guys,

I have the hang of taking off and I am starting to get to grips with the bottom turn.
I noticed last time I was out though that I grip the rails when I get to my feet. Most sites I have seen suggest using a press-up position to take off.

My question is; is this getting me into a bad habit for when I take on larger/faster waves? I worry that it may be holding me back or it may cause me to accidently trim the board etc.

Thanks in advance.
..Dave

[drowningbitbybit]

The two downsides to using the rails are....

1) Its easier to slip off, and then faceplant into your own board. Always embarassing

2) It makes the pop-up a little trickier as your hands are effectively a couple of inches lower meaning less room to swing your legs up underneath.

But if your pop-up works, then dont change what aint broken

[O_Danny_Boy]

i find that sometimes if its a late take-off on my back-hand i grip the outside rail just to get my line faster. dont no if that helps you,

other than that its always 2 hands on the deck under my ribcage

[bluesnowcone]

i take off using the rails and some of the people i surf with say that i should use the pressup possition, but to be ohnist apart from the odd slip and faceplant the board its working for me, so if it works for you stick with it. aslong as you can pop up fast enough it doesnt matter how you pop up.

the first time i surfed big waves i did struggle popping up fast enough, but after the forst few bails and getting washed around and held under i learnt that i need to pop up faster so i made sure i did lol

[Sillysausage]

just make sure you wax the rails you'll be fine, but could try using the flat hand

[surferdude_scarborough]

i havent a clue what i do. if it works stick with it

[DaveS]

Cheers guys.

I tried the press-up method today at Saltburn and just couldn't get to grips with it, Whether that was because it isn't right for me or just because I was thinking about it too much I dunno but im gonna stick with whatever it is I do now.

Like everyone has said, 'if it ain't broke don't fix it'!

..DaveS

[Chris369]

I use the rails too, it works for me so I'll probably stick with it. I did try the press up position but found I always put too much weight on one side and generally found it more difficult.

[isaluteyou]

what works works. No need to change