Mastering the surfer pop up consists of knowing the right technique, practicing, and developing the supportive muscles and flexibility to execute. One of the common assertions by my new surf students about a lesson is this is harder than I thought it would be.
Surfing is very physical and many new students also say it is more tiring than they expected. Learning anything on the first day can be tiring because there is also the mental stress and perhaps the intimidation of the environment.
The Surfer Pop Up Sequence
The Surfer Pop Up is one technique in the middle of the sequence between catching the wave and riding to the beach. The entire sequence is more about timing than balance which surprises many students. Most anyone who can follow the sequence and get the timing can ride. Many are up on the first push.
The timing of the surfer pop up follows getting on the surf board properly and catching the wave. Both of these are more difficult than one would think and many who can ride the board keep fumbling the beginning two essentials.
The surf pop up begins after paddling to a position in front of the wave. A surfer riding a foam board in a foam wave does not want to put their hands on the board as soon as they feel the wave impact the board. They want to paddle three or four times until the board is in front of the wave and the tail is out of the foam.
The sequence of the pop up for a beginner is paddling, putting their hands on the board, pushing up while putting their rear foot on the board, standing up, and then putting their front foot on the board.
Timing of the Surfer Pop Up
The sequence is essential. I give students the count to say out loud as they go through each step. Otherwise their timing is off and they forget the sequence. The count is paddle, hands on the board, push, back foot, stand up, front foot.
The hands have to be in the man’s push up position under the chest. It is crucial that the position is attained before pushing up. It is a two second rest stop. Then the student pushes and puts their rear foot under their butt with their foot flat on the board. They have to stand up on this leg while moving the front foot to the nose.
If students don’t stand up on the rear leg, they wind up with both feet on the board at the same time as their hands are still on the board in the down dog yoga position. They immediately fly off the front of the board. It seems the most difficult part for new students in the surfer pop up is standing up before they put their front foot on the board.
The Standing Posture is Crucial
Students have to move into the correct posture. Their feet have to be shoulder width apart. Weight has to be equal on the front and back leg. Knees are flexed, and shoulders and hips are squared to the front.
The second biggest difficulty students have is arriving in what I call the snowboard posture. This occurs when one shoulder is back and there is a trailing hand. This puts the butt over one rail and the weight on the heels. The board turns over. Weight has to be equal on both sides of the stringer in the middle of the board the runs from nose to tail.
Exercises that help with surfer pop up strength are push ups, squats, dead lifts, and stretching. Muscles stretched need to be the hamstrings, buttocks, and lower back. Stamina is also important to last at least an hour in practice. Yes, the gym, yoga, and aerobics all help.
Read Other Posts:
Beginner Surfers Learn on Soft Tops
5 Steps to Improve Surfing Performance
3 Ways to Catch Real Surfing Waves
Training to Ride the Surfing Short Board
Short Board Surfing Techniques
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