Is there a right way and a wrong way?

[bernard]

.....to pop up.


Hi all

I've been surfing for a few years now. I started on a 7"10', then went to a 9"4' as I thought the mellow days were the way forward.

However, about 6 months ago I bought a 6"10' dove tail. It's beautiful....until I get on it!

I've noticed that on the long and mini-mal I use my toes to get up - and I get up every time.

On the 6"10' I really struggle. I've watched videos, watched friends, practiced on the floor / bed / sand / sofa....and I can do the whole press up and throw legs underneath every time without using feet, until I'm on the board! I completely faff it everytime!

The only successfull rides I've had are when I get my back leg in place before popping up, then use the back leg to help me get up - I believe it's called the australian sprint?.....anyway, is this ok or have I learnt bad habbits from the long board?

I just can't seem to get it right and I want to go shorter again but am reluctant until I've nailed this 6"10'. Also, is there a different point in time to pop up on the shorter boards? On the long ones I paddles, let the wave lift me to the top, then the board seems to float there till I get up and plant the front foot. The short one seems to need me popping up as soon as I feel the lift coming?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated....

[donhoe]

What ever you do think about doing it fast. I think I do the same as you when I so called pop up haha!. I do it fast though. I'm not sure if I did it that way when I was a kid or I just do it that way now because I'm 46 LOL! I didn't even know I did it till I saw a video.
It sure can make for some pressure dings on a PU board from your knee (forward leg).

[Forage]

Bringing your back leg forward to pop up on a shorter board is alright in some situations. Usually on a softer wave/slower take off. If you're taking off deeper, or on a steeper wave, taking that time to bring your leg up is going to screw you. You have to pop to your feet as soon as you start dropping, sometimes a bit earlier. Once you get this down you'll surprise yourself at the takeoffs you can start making.
When you're practicing your pop ups for a shorter board, make sure you're popping up off of your knees. Lay down on your mat (or whatever you practice on) and raise your toes just a little bit off the mat, like an inch or something. Then pop up. You might already be doing it this way, but I thought I'd put that out there just in case.

edit; just reread your post where it said "I can do the pop-up without feet every time." So ignore the second half of my post.

[aaron d]

i had a similar problem

i have drilled it so many times on a plastic board in myroom - but u cant expect to replicate it on the water, but i have found that drilling the right technique - using the front knee to hoist me up, has much improved my takeoffs. im not sure exactly what i do in the water, but the dry training defo helped

[dhand62362]

i always seem to bang my knees when practising at home on the floor, any tips how I can get them to clear the ground anyone ?

[aaron d]

bang them how? what technique are you using?

[dhand62362]

just before pop up my back is arched, my feet are off the ground and my knees are on touching the ground, when i pop up i seem to use my knees to help pop up and catching my knees as my legs come under me

[aaron d]

hmm, well I use my knee to elevate my body so i can swing my legs under me, though catching my toes has been a problem at times, if had to suggest something id say you need to use your knee to get yourself higher to avoid this

[isaluteyou]

using your knees in any part of the pop up probably isnt the best idea. it should be one smooth motion otherwise there is a delay which is detrimental to your health on a late drop. The only time i use my knees is if it is an ultra slow wave and i need to keep super low or on take off if im tucking under a barell of something.

Practice is the cure to almost all woes.

[IB_Surfer]

here is what we discussed on the other forum

http://www.surfingsandiego.com/forum/fo ... p?TID=4320