Begginer popping up

[Blackvans1234]

Hey everybody, just wondering what everyone's opinion is regarding a few things. The first question I have is about popping up. I am a new surfer and popping up seems to be my biggest issue. Do you think I would have more success popping up quickly or slowly? I'm assuming slowly because quickly seems to result in my feet landing wherever, usually not on the stringer .

The local surf shop near me has FREE lessons every saturday, AND they give out boards to use. The board I own is a 6'8 Fish, so I am wondering if this has anything to do with my difficulty popping up? I think my difficulty is also because my toes arent able to be on the board before I pop up. This forces me to use my knees, which I'm not too good at.
I know I should utilize the free surf lessons, but should I use my board or theirs? I'm assuming theirs will either be foam boards or longboards.
Another consideration is that they usually (from what I hear), get a large group because everything is free.


[the waves have been too big lately for my skill level, so I am stuck here unable to surf, or scuba dive! ]

[tonylamont]

You eventually want your pop-up to be quick and fluid, but it's more important to make sure you are doing it right first. Draw a line on the ground to simulate the stringer and practice landing with your feet in the center of that. Check the many instructional resources on the web to make sure your technique is correct.

Yes, a fish will make popping up (and everything else) harder as a beginner. See if you can beg, borrow or purchase a bigger board. At least 8', preferably 9' or more. Even a foamie - I know they are uncool but you'll learn the basics faster on one.

Don't know how good the surf lessons are, but for free you might as well try. Good luck.

[jaffa1949]

What Tony said, I was going to post the same, but he was quicker on the draw. Take a couple of the free lessons, that way you get to try the easier learning on a longer more stable board. and while the surf is big have a good read of this site you will find a lot of your answers have been posted for other learners.

[longboarder]

Get the Andy Irons learn to surf DVD. He demonstates a very simple slow popup technique. If you are jumping to your feet quickly you will land unbalanced with, as you say, your feet landing wherever. If you get a bigger board and practice the Andy Irons technique you will after a while find that you naturally jump up without thinking about it. (Worked for me anyway)

[surf patrol]

The local surf shop near me has FREE lessons

Make sure you take advantage of that. What's the shop, I'm sure others would be interested. (sorry for off topic comment)

[dklay]

Definitely take the lessons! I learned to surf this summer, and took several lessons (several private and several group).....private lessons were the most productive. Having a good insrtructor help you is invaluable at the early stages.... They will give you immediate feedback on what you're doing right and what you're doing wrong. If you're trying to learn on very small, mushy waves they can also give you a push in to help you get momentum. If you don't have enough momentum you won't be able to get your balance on the popup. The instructor will also help w/ timing... help you feel the push of the wave so you can popup at the appropriate moment.

I'll concur w/ Tony & Jaffa....I initially tried to learn on a board that was really too small for me. After much frustration and trying several longer boards in those lessons, I bought a 9'2" longboard. Much more stable and much easier to get enough paddle speed on to get my timing and popups nailed.

[Blackvans1234]

Island water sports, Deerfield Beach Florida
http://www.islandwatersports.com/lesson ... rf-lessons

[surferguy180]

Mate, hit up the free lessons,

Why not try it on their boards first then you can take your board the next time and the guys can help you out.

Peace.

[travel]

Blackvan, i'll be in miami for thanksgiving week, and wonder how's the surf condition in deerfield beach? i know miami doesn't have wave for sure, so don't mind driving north if waves are good up there... oh, btw, i'm a long-time beginner as well. so maybe we can meet up if i do make the trip...

[IB_Surfer]

To learn to pop up you have to practice nothing but popping up. Don't practice surfing, don't practice paddling, practice popping up.

You go into the beach only to about waist high, turn around and point your board to the beach. Wait for a good whitewash that has some push then launch yourself towards the beach to gain speed (as opposed to plopping down and having the wave roll over you) then pop up right away, even if just for a few seconds. Repeat repeat repeat. Once you can stand up easily THEN go out farther.

It doesn't do you any good to try to surf if you can't stand up, so learn to stand up first.