Surfing Waves

Hi all
I used to have a problem with popping to one knee. I finally fixed that after 6months of intense practice. Now my video analysis has revealed another problem
I grab my right rail when I pop up and take ages to let go of that putting me off balance, making me do a hard left turn and even get hung up on the lip on big waves and end up with the board hitting me
I’m trying hard to focus on hands flat on deck but I still tend to grab the rail
Sometimes I grab the rail after I’ve popped up and I wonder whether it’s in an attempt to try and bring my front (left) foot more centre as I tend to pop without twisting my hips enough and end up heel side and going left all the time
I know I have inflexible hips so I’m working on daily stretches
I will try the uneven hand placement and see if this helps
Has anyone come across this problem and have any potential tips or solution ?
I used to surf everyday but now I’ve moved 2h from the coast so only get to surf on weekends
At the moment I’m on a 9 foot longboard and transitioning down to a7’6 funboard
Thanks!

So you are grabbing the right rail, but leaning back (so putting weight on the left rail and hence turning to the left)?

When you dont fall off, and stand up, are you off balance?

Sometimes I’m off balance and fall off when I get to the bottom
Other times I can readjust mid drop then surf the wave and go down the line fine
I think it depends on how quick I let go and maybe how quick accurate my feet are

shwetaknulla wrote:I’m trying hard to focus on hands flat on deck but I still tend to grab the rail
Sometimes I grab the rail after I’ve popped up and I wonder whether it’s in an attempt to try and bring my front (left) foot more centre as I tend to pop without twisting my hips enough and end up heel side and going left all the time

Has anyone come across this problem and have any potential tips or solution ?

At the moment I’m on a 9 foot longboard and transitioning down to a7’6 funboard

The reason why you are grabbing rail is because ......YOU are SCARED. You're not confident enough to "LET GO". You're literally holding on and trying to steer. You need to realize you Steer and Drive a surfboard through your feet. The earlier ( and smoother ) you let go, the sooner the weight transfer can happen. That in turn engages the fin(s). and AGAIN, you need to explode off the deck, shoving the board away with your hands, not just releasing your grip. It'll actually help by taking pressure off your lower back and hips.

If you can't go flat hand on the deck, do like i do....... ring and pinky finger wrapping the rail while the others on the deck.

If you can't figure out your pop up problem on your 9 footer, I wouldn't attempt going to a 7'6" ( or even an 8'0" ) as margin of error is more critical , wave angle steeper and paddling harder on a shorter board.

Thank you. I will stick with it. I find that when I explode off the deck and the earlier I release sometimes I end up springing up and standing too straight and before I have a chance to compress I fall backwards off the wave

shwetaknulla wrote: before I have a chance to compress I fall backwards off the wave

You shouldn't have to compress. So you have a problem being too compressed grabbing rail or too straight up looping out backwards. Maybe you need to find the "Goldilocks and the Three bears" position.

Hahaha the ultimate aim

Questions:
1) are your feet almost touching together ( not that you should look down to check ) or are they about a shoulders with apart ?
2) are both toes pointed to the nose or to the rail ?

Your compression / extension problem is really hard to do with the proper stance.

I think my feet probably are too close together
Im getting a GoPro mount and hope to post up some videos soon
My back foot seems to be pointing more towards the fin and I have to readjust this when I pop
And my front foot points to the rail/slightly towards the nose

FWIW my only pop up thought is “up-down” .......translated that means pop up hard then get my butt down......like a charm.