How to pop up on a surfboard: land drills, paddling, timing and common mistakes

TUREFF• •0

The pop-up, getting from lying on your board to standing in one quick movement, is the first real skill in surfing. It feels impossible at first and then, after enough practice, automatic. Most of that practice can happen on land, which makes your time in the water count for more.

Body position on the board

Before you can pop up, you need to lie in the right place.

Lie centred along the board, with your toes near the tail.
If the nose is lifted high out of the water, you are too far back; you will stall and miss waves.
If the nose is digging under, you are too far forward; you will nosedive ("pearl").
Keep your head and chest slightly up, looking forward.

Many people find a reference point, such as their chin over a logo or the middle of the board, and use it each time.

Land drills

Practise on the floor or the sand until it is a single movement.

Lie face down with your hands flat beside your chest, under your shoulders, not on the edges of the board.
Push up strongly, arching your back slightly, so your chest lifts.
In one motion, bring your back foot up across the board and your front foot forward between your hands.
Land with your feet across the board, about shoulder width apart, knees bent, weight centred, arms loose for balance.
Look forward, not down at your feet.

Do this many times. Some people learn a step-by-step version first, bringing the back knee forward, then the front foot. It is fine at the start, but aim for one smooth movement as you improve. Work out which foot goes forward. "Regular" means left foot forward, "goofy" means right foot forward. If you are unsure, notice which foot you put out first when someone gives you a light push from behind.

Paddling

Many failed pop-ups are actually failed paddling: the wave passes under you and you were never really on it.

Paddle with long, deep strokes, one arm at a time, with your fingers together.
Keep your legs together and still on the board.
When a wave approaches, start paddling early and hard, and keep going until you feel the board accelerating.

Timing the wave

Look back over your shoulder to see the wave coming.
Turn the board to point towards the beach, ahead of the wave.
Paddle hard as it approaches.
When you feel the board lift and pick up speed, take two more strong strokes.
Then pop up.

Popping up too early means the wave leaves you behind; too late, and you are pitched over the front. Learn the timing in white water first, where it is more forgiving.

Common mistakes

Getting up on your knees first. It is a slow habit that makes you unstable. Go straight from lying to feet.
Grabbing the rails (edges) of the board instead of pushing with flat hands under your chest.
Looking down at your feet or the board. Where you look is where you go; look ahead.
Standing up straight. Stay low, with knees bent and weight centred.
Feet in the wrong place: too close together, too far back, or in a line along the board instead of across it.
Stopping paddling too soon as the wave arrives.
Leaning back in fear. Keep your weight over the middle of the board.

Making it stick

Do ten to twenty pop-ups on land each day, quickly but correctly.
Add a few push-ups and some hip mobility work; strength and flexibility both help.
Film yourself on land or in the water if you can; it shows mistakes you cannot feel.
Be patient. Falling is how everyone learns.

How long did it take you to master your pop-up, and which drill helped most? Share your tips and questions in the comments.