Popping UP !

[mickey1982va]

I'm thinking sit-ups might help also ?

[idsmashh]

Hello All ! So I started surfing this year around April. Of course Va Beach isn't really the greatest place to learn, but I work with what i can. I HAVE surfed or at least tried to the last few years with my cousin and uncle when a swell comes in at the OBX. But, i was just trying to wing it ! The truth is, I suck ! I have got up a couple of times, but usually fall off within a few seconds. I have been able to get on one knee and grab the side of the board with my hand, but I don't really count that !

Any tips is helpful. Usually when I push down to pop up, the board goes out from under me, or if I am able to get my feet up on it, that's when I'll fall off soon after !

Don't ever bail. Remember that you are always safer when standing up then laying down. Pop-up regardless of whether you "think" you're going to make it. you'd be suprised the steep drops that you can make on a surfboard. The fins dig into the wave and provide amazing grip that will help keep it from nosediving. Also think "back foot on the pad" when you pop up. Positioning is everything. Good luck

[GoodVibes]

6'8" board will take you alot longer to learn on then say an 8ft.so just realize that. You tube some vids. That should help.I actually like popping up.with my hands.at my ribcage.I feel llike I get more of a spring from that position.Goodluck and stay thirsty.

[Zippy]

Don't ever bail

This is really good advice, it's a bad habit to get into. I always bailed, even after a good wave I would just flop and bail (never when someone was nearby). I thought it was fun and did it since I was a kid. It teaches you the opposite of what the point of surfing is, to stay on the board as long as possible. Only recently over the last several years have I concentrated on not bailing and my surfing has lept forward by a huge margin, this after 30 + years. Even after the wave has died out out I try to stay on the board to the very end. It helps in everything from floaters to barrel riding and I would guess even just starting out. If you get into the habit of bailing you will do it when ever the wave gets threatening and never learn to manuever up, over, under or around the obstacle.

[Koki Barrels]

just to add...if you're gonna bail, bail flat, no dive

[Koki Barrels]

I'm thinking sit-ups might help also ?

Your core is the single solid most important thing in surfing. It extends from below your sternum to the back of your knees. Your core controls your ability to turn and do manuevers. Three sentences that i hope you enjoy

[Gfootr]

http://www.amazon.com/Fit-Surf-Surfe.../dp/0071419535

Do the "burpees" or land based pop ups.

[LBCrew]

I'm thinking sit-ups might help also ?

They sure can't hurt... But to be more surfing-specific, I think the squat thrust is better for getting the pop up motion down. In a squat thrust, you're pulling your knees to you chest, which is lower abs, where as a bent knee situp is more upper abs. And popping up is pulling your knee to your chest.

[Koki Barrels]

http://www.amazon.com/Fit-Surf-Surfe.../dp/0071419535

Do the "burpees" or land based pop ups.

Did 100 burpees and a 600 meter run in 12 minutes the other night at crossfit.

[mickey1982va]

Yeah, that's kind of what I try to do. Pull my knees to where my chest was... maybe I'm just not popping up quickly enough. Because by the time I think I'm about to stand straight up, either the wave dies... or the board just goes out from under me.

They sure can't hurt... But to be more surfing-specific, I think the squat thrust is better for getting the pop up motion down. In a squat thrust, you're pulling your knees to you chest, which is lower abs, where as a bent knee situp is more upper abs. And popping up is pulling your knee to your chest.