Kook Advice

[goofy footer]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suYP9Q_lSaA&NR=1


You didn't say if your regular or goofy but doesn't make any difference, view the above clip, its more than than just doing push up's, adjust your hands for your height and lifting weight to your chest, position your hands to obtain the most/best lift, are your toes flat or toes pointed on the tail (?) are you using your toes to spring upward/forward ? Since your practicing on the ground or floor concentrate bringing your lead foot forward first to balance your weight on the board, forcing the board down the wave upon take off so not to fall off the tail, back leg will naturally follow your lead leg. You may also try poping up bringing your lead leg forward with back leg down on the board then using the down leg hand to push upward too until its all fluid motion. Standing up is more than just push ups add "core" exercises to your routine too. Since your on a 10 footer sounds like you're too far back on the board, find the sweet spot to glide the board over pushing the water under the nose.

[7176]

Thanks to all for your generosity of suggestions. I am a goofy footer and and am on my toes. I am going to invest time in applying the suggestions on dry land before my next session. If nothing else I am stubborn in terms of my commitment to learn, so I know the advice is going to lead to success.

Thanks again, I will pay it forward.

[idsmashh]

This post is giving me flashbacks man.. Everyone remember when it was super fun to just pop up and ride a wave straight into shore. I used to rave about sessions where all I did was catch 2 or 3 waves like that. Now I gotta do 2 or three snaps down the face to even make it worth it.... Ahhhh the good ole days

[dave]

I am going to invest time in applying the suggestions on dry land before my next session.

instead of doing that why not just paddle around with your board in the water - just go from jetty to jetty, however much time you have or until you're gassed, if there are any waves no matter how small, maybe try to catch a few. That will help you overcome your problem better then any video watching, visualizing, cross-training etc. I know its not really the shortcut-ish "is there an app for that" or "I'll just Google it" mentality that seems to pervade surfing nowadays and its a pain in the ass and you may feel dumb being the only person out there but its assured to work

[leethestud]

surfing happens in about a second. That is how much time you have to get from your belly to your feet. You can read all of the books and posts in the world but nothing will each you how to act during that second except surfing. Go out and try to catch everything. Every wave you attempt is another wave under your belt and another wave towards being a proficient surfer. I say it all of the time but "you can only eat sh*t so many times before you figure out how to not eat sh*t any more. It's human nature"

[zaGaffer]

This is gonna sound really cheesey, but the part in Point Break were Charlie teaches Johnny Utah how to pop-up really has some good advice. Every time I end up with turf toe, I think "You're dragging your big toe! You're gonna be fish food." Also, I then have turf toe, which SUCKS! It you get turf toe whilst surfing, can it acutally be called surf toe?

Ever consider taking a lesson? I never did and I bet I would have picked it up quicker and not have had so many bad habits to break over the years if I had. There's nothing wrong with paying a professional to point out your deficiencies and mistakes. If you have friends that surf, they'll do it for free. I know mine do. They'll also snake your waves for you. Bustrds

[TM79]

When I first started I laid my board on the rug in the living room floor. I found the places on the board that I wanted my feet to end up on. I then place two pieces of masking tape on the rug where I wanted my feet to go and one piece of tape right under my head (so I knew where to lay on my stomach on the rug). I then did what was said before. Usually three sets of ten pop ups every day. Each time trying to get my feet to land right on the pieces of tape and along a center line in the rug (which would be the stringer). That helped me out a lot. Plus, after skinning both of my knees and the tops of my feet on the rug, it taught me how to pop up without dragging knees and toes. Do that and just keep surfing as much as possible and you'll get it.

[KillaKiel]

instead of doing that why not just paddle around with your board in the water - just go from jetty to jetty, however much time you have or until you're gassed, if there are any waves no matter how small, maybe try to catch a few. That will help you overcome your problem better then any video watching, visualizing, cross-training etc. I know its not really the shortcut-ish "is there an app for that" or "I'll just Google it" mentality that seems to pervade surfing nowadays and its a pain in the ass and you may feel dumb being the only person out there but its assured to work

Dedication man! That and what Lee posted about Human Nature. Like the poster at your local surf shop will say, "I like surfing because no one can tell me how to do it" (give or take word or two).

[KillaKiel]

P.S. - Avoid crowded breaks as well! I'm sure that's what most folks did when they started and many still do

[Dudicles]

...

Ever consider taking a lesson? I never did and I bet I would have picked it up quicker and not have had so many bad habits to break over the years if I had. There's nothing wrong with paying a professional to point out your deficiencies and mistakes. If you have friends that surf, they'll do it for free. I know mine do. They'll also snake your waves for you. Bustrds

Yeah, I just started about a 2 years ago and struggled and struggled for a year and then my wife surprised me with a surf lesson and man it was so worth it. That day I surfed a 10' soft top in knee high shore break and must have gotten to pop-up a dozen or so times. The repetition really helped out. Now I'm in the "If I catch 3 waves and maybe get the line on one of them it was a good day." And I also second surfing with friends because they get to laugh when you screw up, but they can give you some great tips.