Surfing Waves

Hi Guys,

This is my first post, so go easy with me.

I am new to surfing and am currently in the process of learning to stand up. Basically I am having problems with my pop up. I can get up and ride the wave in, but its not always a quick all in one pop up. Sometimes I use one knee, or step up. I know this can't be right.

I am learning on a 7'11 bic board, and I am 5'10 tall. I was wondering should I be using my toes to help me pop up. Like it shows on some internet videos. I just wondered because my feet are dangling off the end of the board. Does this mean I am not far enough forward on my board?

Please Help!

if you are not far enough forward then you won't catch the wave.. also when you move onto a shorter board your legs will be dangling off the end anyway..
you can use your toes to pop-up (think i might do it on a longboard).. but not necessary...
at all costs avoid using your knee to get up... really bad habit to get into if you can avoid it.. try practicing lots on the beach or at home... concentrate on fluidity and accuracy with your foot position rather than speed for now... that will come with practice.

biggest thing i found early on that was useful was trying to look left or right which ever wasy the wave is breaking as you pop up. this means you curve you shoulders round and once you do get up you are stood with your feet sideways on rather then with feet pointing as some angle forwards.

hope that helps?

i also found early on that waiting til i felt the board "lock on" to the wave helped, however now im on greens im having to re interpret this as the feel is a little differant.

good luck
phill

Sometimes I use one knee, or step up. I know this can't be right.

Nasty habbit nip that in the bud early on or it will cause issues later on.

RULE OF THUMB -

Too far back on the board and the wave will pass you by

Too far forward and you will nose dive.

So find a happy medium between catching the wave and stability while popping up. Best thing to do is get as much water time as possible tat is the answer to all woes

You’re right, it’s not right

Launching should be an explosive motion going from lying down to standing up instanteously. The transition is where you are most imbalanced and with the least control of the board – so you want to minimize being in that transition. Don’t think of it as a pushup rather than a powerful jump up to your feet using your arms instead of your legs to propel you.

Granted, there are reform or slower waves which might require you to coast for a bit until its taken the sort of shape you know you need to get going. In those cases, I find myself cruising for a bit before I popup.

Explosive? Smothe and timely I'd say.

Thanks guys, that helps alot. Does anyone know of any videos showing a nice pop up?

One wee tiny thing that helped me is that I was placing the palms of my hands down flat on the board and when I tried to pop up it took me a little longer. Now I use my fingers more eg when I place my hand down on the board my thumb is bent back so my palm is raised. Seems to give me a little lift and spring.....just a personal thing but might help at the start. Not sure if others do that...

The one knee thing is curable. BUT watch getting your toes into the mix. You will sprain or break 'em very easily.

Best way I can describe it is as your board is going down you pick yourself up and plant your feet. Don't drag your feet, don't hesitate - one smooth motion.

phish wrote:The one knee thing is curable.

how ?

pls expand

i was teaching my friend on how to pop up on a shortboard. man did he use all of his knee to get up when we were simulating( i keep telling him not to but he think he can't pop up without the knee). then when we went out to do the real thing he couldn't even stand up while taking off.

never use your knee to get yourself up, always use your upper body and arm to swing your leg under. it sound pretty hard but once you get it, you can pop up and not look like a total kook.

from another thread...

Pop up early, before your 100% sure you've caught the wave
Have the board angled a little bit away from the peak
Have your hands flat by the rails not grabbing them
Try let the board fall away from you down the wave, you shouldnt be pushing yourself up too much rather than let gravity/wave take the board down
As the board drops straighten your arms
and rotate your legs under you

Do it smooth and quickish , make sure your on your feet (but dont havee to be stood upright!) befoer you get to far down the wave , job done!

Once your feet are on the board you have controll to put in the bottom turn.

"Try let the board fall away from you down the wave, you shouldnt be pushing yourself up too much rather than let gravity/wave take the board down "

That's what is so tricky when you are a beginner - you don't tend to learn on waves which give you that falling away down the wave movement - much of the time you are quite flat so you are automatically finding it tricky. Oh well...all part of the learning process.

grabbing rails is a good thing, because you can push the board into the wave, adding forward momentum and its easier to controle.

with my shortboard i dont fully use my knee

i push up and swing my legs in but my knee sometimes skims the top of my board.is this terrible?
and if it is, is it curable.but keep in mind i dont even get to surf for most months!

you gotta push more, you need more space for the leverage you bring with ur foot.

but usually im in weak or just panzeish surf where too agressive of a motion can just cause the wave to pass you by

or i just fall off for unproper footing!