Surfing Waves

popped up, finally.

After searching these forums and gleaning loads of info I popped up last night for the first time.

My problems were - holding on to the rails for dear life for too long, using my knees, concentrating too hard on what I have to do to pop-up, not picking the right kind of wave and a whole host of other problems.

Once I'd resigned myself to just going for it knowing that I could always try on the next wave if I failed, convincing myself that if I did come off I'm going to land on water which aint gonna hurt, and just popping up without thinking, it worked.

Once I got up it felt quite natural, I even managed a mini bottom turn before I fell off. Having skateboarded for a long time I half expected it to be like that but it's way different. Like your trying to balance a board that is pivoted in every direction, weird, nice but weird. I guess you could get so much more control over where a board goes when it's balanced like that.

stoked.

Nice 1
1st popup=sweet!

It only gets more fun from here

Wisest words ever spoken to me -
"Just stand up. Stop worrying about it. It all gets a lot easier once you're standing"


Well done!

I AM SO PLEASED FOR YOU!!!

I am fighting the same battle at the moment... and it's beginning to fall into place a bit for me too, bit by bit. If only I'd get to go out on a decent day.

But hey, well done - it's the best achievement, don't underestimate it. It is SOO unbelievably hard to break bad habits.

You're right though, thinking, well if I fall of this wave, I'll go out and get another. What's the worst that can happen?

The worst thing to do is say, oh but it's such a nice wave, I'll use my knees this time, just to guarantee I stand up and get a long ride, and I'll pop up next wave. DON'T!!!!

I'm feeling like such a rubbish surfer at the moment, wiping-out on all waves I know that I could get if I used my knees. But I know it'll be worth it all in the end.

CONGRATULATIONS! Keep us updated on your progress...
MARTI xx

Thanx guys.

I guess the main thing is getting out there, doesn't matter wether you stand up, popup, lie down or splash about helplessly, it's the dedication and determination to be a surfer that makes you one. If someone asks you when you wake up if you want to go surfing and the answer is yes then you're a surfer, if you rather be trying to surf than anything else, you're a surfer.

at least that's my opinion.

yay....yes, i'd rather be surfing, full stop, so finally, someone in the world thinks i'm..... A SURFER!!

I'm a single mum of a boy who is 1, so it is so difficult for me to get time in the water. But I beg and bribe my friends to babysit and manage to get out about 3 times a week. I work hard to get time in the water....and any free time I get I spend in the sea. I think that makes me fulfil peanuts criteria!

Thanks peanut!!

Went out today...popped up lots...once you pop you can't stop!!!!! (is it only british people who'll get that joke?)

Congrats peanut!

Just got turns to figure out now :)

And then you'll be in. And the only way out is in a coffin ;D

Definately agree with the comments above. Plenty of time to think after the wave/ride or out of the water. When the wave comes it's best to stop thinking and just COMMIT!

I imagine our estrogen continent are all grinning at the last one :)

The problem on here is that you don't see things so stuff you'd pick up in a flash just gets totally missed.

-doug

Peanut!! YOU RULE!!

Wow I'm so stoked too!!! For ya.

Iomarti you are totally my hero!! of course you're a full on surfer! HARD OUT!!

So your baby's one.. and you managed time to learn to surf.... when exactly??!!! Woah!! cool!!

Yea yea... anyone who wakes up and thinks..."gotta surf!!" rather than... oh hell I need to get more sleep!! ..total surfer!

I soo know what you guys are saying.. I'm right there with ya. That knee is just soo easy. I wonder if a week full of pop up practises in the am and pm is going to make a difference to this wknds surf a. Hope so.

Hay peanut... let us know how you are doin ok. Oh yea, It might happen to you, it might not..but after you seem to be getting things, you'll just turn up one day and... for some reason you'll just stink at it again. Wierd I know.... but try and enjoy those days too a. I know you will.

YAY THE POP UP!!! YOU AWESOME!

Thanx guys, this weekend is looking good, there's a nice storm brewing and the waves are starting to pick up, plus I just found a new webcam that looks on my beach so I don't have to get my lazy ass the two blocks to the beach to check it out!!! Now I can pop (like a pringle) I'm gonna try and put my board skills into practice, I've skateboarded for the past 25 years (I'm 34) so I wonder how that will benefit me now I can stand up. can't wait!!!!!

If you're out there in all weathers, if you come back stoked even tho you didn't stand on any wave, if you'd rather get wet and feezing cold instead of sitting at home watching TV, you're a surfer.

There's guys I know that dress from head to foot in billabong or quiksilver, people who haven't even touched a board, not even attempted to go in the ocean. They have no idea what it's like to be a surfer. Being a surfer is being an addict, once you're in there's no escape.

peanut are you talking about the forecast for cornwall? where abouts are you - if u don't mind me asking.

Well done peanut! Sigh, I'm still trying to pop up....it'd help if I could get out into the water more often

I'm from sunny (not so sunny) Eastbourne on the south coast.