Learning to pop up comes with practice, but once you’ve got it, it’s a
smooth manoeuvre that will be a game-changer for your surng. Everyone
has their own style and it can help to tailor your pop up to your ability
and tness level. Here are three ways to pop up:BEGINNER POP UP:
This is what beginners are usually taught during
their first lesson. It’s the easiest way to get to
your feet, and it breaks the pop up into three
manageable stages.STEP 1
When you’ve stopped paddling for the wave,
place your hands on the board, as if you were
about to do a press up. You need to now slide
to your knees, keeping your hands firmly on the
board.STEP 2
Bring up your front foot. Use your hands to help
push off as you bring your front foot up and
place it flat on the board.STEP 3
The back foot needs to come up in this stage.
Once again push off your hands or fingertips
and place the back foot down. Release the
hands and bring the arms up for extra balance.
Bend your knees and get your eyes up!INTERMEDIATE POP UP:
This two stage pop up is perfect for the people
who want to stop getting to their knees and are
aiming towards the advance jump up method.STEP 1
Again when you’re on the wave, and you can
feel it pushing you forward it’s time to press
up into a plank position. At the same time as
pushing up, you need to bring your front foot
forward, placing it down on
the board.STEP 2
Once your front foot is down, you will also be
in a deep lunge on the board; this is when you
need to get your back foot in place. Sometimes
it’s easier to slide your back foot into place.
Release your hands, bend your knees, get your
eyes up and get surfing.ADVANCED POP UP:
This is by far the hardest BUT the most effective way
to pop up, so it’s one to aim for.Similar to the Intermediate Pop Up, the Advanced
Pop up requires you to start in a press-up position,
but instead of bringing up one foot at a time you
need to bring both feet up at the same time. This is
a jumping motion and is very explosive. It needs to
happen fast, and as soon as you’re to your feet, you
need to release your hands, get your eyes up and
look down the line.HANDS
Your hands need to be by your chest, flat on the
board in a press up position. Avoid placing your hands
too far up the board; they need to be either side of
your boobs.JUMP
The pop up needs to be quick, in one fluid motion.
With your hands firmly on your board, you need to
press down and bring your feet up in one movement.
Avoid using your knees, as this will only slow down
the process.LOW
Once you’re up to your feet, resist the urge to stand
bolt upright. Stay low, bending your knees. Bring your
arms up to around waist high for additional balance.