The importance of flexibility

[dreamwr]

I was practicing hopping up with my friend, who is a gymnast, and was able to get up on her first outing. No wonder I couldn't stand up! I had a tough enough time getting my front foot through my arms just on the ground. Here's some stuff I learned:

When pushing up with your arms, don't peel your body up starting with your chest. You must get your butt up, kind of like making an A frame. This gives you momentum. We also found that pushing up with your hands by your ribs instead of by your shoulders works better. Next, you have to be able to curl your back, or pull your chest towards your pelvis. This puts you in the right position to move your front foot through your arms. Problem is, I have a hard time doing that. I also can't touch my fingers to my toes. So I'm going to do a stretch routine for 30 minutes every night.

[sinistapenguin]

It is true that flexibility is important.

I have to say though that when I was learning, I could never pop straight to my feet on the floor or even on my board when catching white water.

As soon as you get into catching unbroken waves, all the rules change.

Since the tail of the board is higher than the nose when you go to stand up, gravity helps to pull you into the right position. Also, given where you are on the wave, the board is a lot more stable.

You will find it much easier to pop-up when you are catching unbroken waves.

Cheers

Sinista

[Guest]

i find yoga is best for improving flexibility
the best yoga i have found for quickest results is "fluid power for surfers" video its hard but effective
i am a beginner as well this has helped me

[Guest]

flexibility is handy. so is upper body strength, a natural sense of balance and determination to keep on trying no matter how thrashed you are getting. not having most of those things to begin with, a sense of humor also helps. eventually you just get it. the fact that it can be incredibly frustrating makes it feel so much better when you can get up in one fluid movement, go out the back for the first time, duck dive, catch a "real" wave, whatever. surfing is just one of those things you get addicted too no matter how crap you are to begin with. doing extra stuff like practicing jumping up in your room, doing press ups, yoga or the like will definately help you get better much faster. keep it up
nz girl