The pop-up is one of the most important movements in surfing. It’s when you go from lying on your belly, paddling, to standing on your board to ride the wave. It might sound tricky at first, but don’t worry – it takes practice!
Let’s break down the pop-up into simple steps and share 5 helpful tips to make mastering this easier. So, grab your surfboard and let’s get ready to pop-up for success!
While you might think it looks easy and you can do it straight from the water, familiarising yourself with the pop-up movement on dry land will be helpful. We see a lot of surfers who didn’t practise this movement before and learn it in a ‘wrong’ manner. Later on, they will have to unlearn it to improve their skills, which is way harder than doing it right in the first place!
This will help you to get the movement right and create muscle memory so that you will learn it in the right way. Preparation is half of the work!
1. The most effective pop-up starts with a good body position. Start by laying down on your stomach with your toes hanging off the edge of the surfboard or mat. Position your hands shoulder-width apart, slightly in front of your chest, with your fingers pointing forward.
2. Start with making paddle movements with your arms while looking up and engaging your core.
3. Then, in one explosive motion, push up with your arms and hips simultaneously, without grabbing the rail of your board. Place your back foot first and then your front foot, keep your gaze forward where you want to go and don’t look down. This technique allows for better balance and precise foot placement.
Practise your pop-up without using your toes or knees making sure you have a low position for better balance with your front knee just below your chin.
Bonus tip: Every time you go into the ocean for a surf session, practise your pop-up movement on dry land 10-15 times. Once you’ve created that muscle memory, your body will move automatically.
Balance is one of the most important keys to a successful pop-up. Without it, you’ll simply pop-up on either side of your surfboard and slip off.
While lying on your surfboard practising on the shore, check your position. You want to be in the centre of your board instead of too much forward (to avoid a nose dive), or too much backwards.
In the water, first, paddle out past the breaking waves. You want to be in waist-deep water where you feel comfortable and stable.
Practice paddling with your chest lifted slightly off the board and your gaze forward. This position activates your core and prepares you for the pop-up.
Rock your weight back and forth slightly on the board. Feel how your body naturally wants to find its centre of balance. This is the position you want to start the pop-up from.
Catching those waves isn’t just about paddling, popping up, and having a good balance – it’s about timing your pop-up for the right moment of the wave. Reading the wave is something you should learn and that will help you with the right timing. In short, here’s how to read the wave and react:
As you feel the wave start to lift you, taking you with her, initiate your learned pop-up. Aim to stand just before the wave’s face steepens.
The pop-up is all about generating power for a smooth transition from paddling to standing.
As you feel the wave lift you, push down with your hands and core, exactly how you practised it on the shore. Imagine pushing the board away from you while driving your upper body upwards at the same time.
Focus on extending your legs and hips as you rise. Put both of your feet in the right order (back foot first, then front foot). Try to land with your knees slightly bent and your weight evenly distributed on both feet.
Keep looking forward, looking down the line of the wave (the direction you want to go). This helps you to keep your balance and stability.
Like any other skill or movement, becoming better at the pop-up takes practice in and out the water. And the best way to learn is to keep doing it! Some extra helpful tip:
1. Learn from the pop-ups where you fall off your board. Don’t get discouraged, since they’re a part of the learn how to surf journey. Get back on your board and keep trying!
2. Start with smaller waves. Whitewater or unbroken waves are perfect for practising the pop-up without the pressure of a breaking wave.
4. Relax, enjoy the ride and don’t forget to smile!
Are you ready to pop up on your first wave?
