popping up and looking

[Beachbum]

I was wondering if you look at the bottom of the wave when you pop up your going to eat it since that seemed to happen to me the other week. The waves were pretty big like head high and some a bit over head and I ate it popping up and felt like a kook. Then like two weeks ago I could pop up and angle down this really steep inside waves.... Does looking along the wave while popping up cause you not to fall? (if that makes any sense)

[PapaW]

It keeps your centre of balance ture. If your looking down you naturally lean foward. The head is very heavy and plays a big part in balance.

Its also why the majority if not all of bodyboard tricks are in the head. Throrw it and the body will follow.

[isaluteyou]

It keeps your centre of balance ture. If your looking down you naturally lean foward. The head is very heavy and plays a big part in balance.

Its also why the majority if not all of bodyboard tricks are in the head. Throrw it and the body will follow.

well put. Naturally the direction you look is the direction you go.

[Beachbum]

So while I'm paddling for a wave and I look at the bottom or my board when I'm popping up I'll nosedive? It was really annoying and this weekend this better not happen to me again!

[scuba steve]

Yeah I always lok to the direction I am goin mainly to see if the wave is worth taking or if it will just close out. I can see why looking down would make you nosedive.

[GowerCharger]

i would usually look down the line while paddling, then take a quick glance back to check theres no one already up (or to make sure the guy im dropping in on is to far back to make the section im taking off into) then while i actually take off im looking at where im gonna make my bottom turn, or in a small wave where im gonna have to pump from the off im looking down the line for the steepest part where im gonna be pumping. I find if your thinking about what your doing your gonna bail, you need to be thinking ahead to the manouver your doing next and youll complete the one your currently doing easier and in postition for the next.

[Beachbum]

I gotta try what Gower said and think a step ahead of what I'm going to do. I still need to master pumping to do a cutback, any tips on that?