Standing Up

[Wolfy]

Hey guys,

I have been surfing for about a year (although have wanted to for about 10) and I am currently having a few issues!

I have managed to get the hang of a lot but when I try to pop-up my leading leg dosen't get into the correct position so I end up surfing on my back leg and front knee!! It is really frustrating and wondered if anybody had any tips on how to improve and stop my 'lazy leg'?

Cheers

[GowerCharger]

practice on land. lots.

[bluesnowcone]

just practice and practice and practice

[rich r]

Maybe you need to switch your stance.

Try popping up from a laying-down position on land a bunch of times and see if popping up regular or goofy feels better.

If you're not getting your front leg up, it might be because it wants to be your back leg.

[Driftingalong]

I'm not sure how you're doing your pop ups, but...

When pushing up keep your hands more at your ribs rather than at your shoulders like a normal push up. That should give you some more room to plant your front foot (it'll help with not pearling as well).

[essex sucks]

i had that problom and yeah is just pratice on land and small days

mark

[JQ]

I was just thinking... you know footballers yeah? well, they do those jumping jack type things... although not that exactly... like jump up in the air, and bring your knees up to your chest... thats like ab crunches but more hadrcore!!

[isaluteyou]

do you bodyboard? because what you described sounds a lot like dking. I had that problem making the transition to surfing but practise will generat the best results.

A good thing to do is practise your popups at night on your floor as well. If your leading foot was anything like mine it will be half brained and zombie But it will get a brain and start to work.

oh and this goofy/regular business when i first started i found it much easier to popup goofy but then later found i wasnt actually goofy footed whatever your power leg is will more than likely be your back leg. Not always true i know someone who surfs regular and skateboards goofy . so whatever works eh. but if you beleive you are regular footed then dont switch. Very few people have a switch stance between skateboard/surfing.

probably the best way to descide which footed you are is to try the following. Get a friend to stand in front of you and imaging you are bgoing to fight him. Now imagine you are going to round house kick him. what is your stance if your right is back then it means its your power foot and if left is forward it means its a leading foot and the balancing foot. If you have the mentioned stance then it means your power is generated from the right leg and waist therefore you can 90% be sure you are regular footed if you can do both with ease then umm seek help there are exceptions of course. But its a good guide.

[Ellie]

I'm a big fan of the old "pop-up on living room floor" method. Stick a surf vid on the telly, and have a god old daily sesh of them. I tried it ocne just before I went and surfed (hadn't been for a while) and it felt so much more natural once I got out there. Couldn't be bothered the next time, and was the definition of kookiness!!

[Wolfy]

Thanks to everyone for the advice - its been an awesome help.

I shall try practicing loads at home over the next week before I get in the surf again and see how I get on. It could be I have been using the wrong power foot all along!

Thanks again

[Dec]

aaah my friend. Everytime the season starts here I always do that for a few days. It frickin annoying!

The trick I learnt is grab a longboard and start from scratch again Pop-up really slow whilst riding straight down the wave. Keep trying really hard to stand properly.

Good luck,