Surfing: How To Pop Up: A Step-By-Step Guide

As a beginner surfer, there are many things to learn and master before you comfortably ride most waves. One of the essential skills you’ll need to learn is how to “pop up” because you’re only bodyboarding without it. Fortunately, this article provides a step-by-step guide on how to pop up for those embarking on a surfing adventure.

The key to a successful pop-up on a surfboard is your position on the board, correct foot and hand placement, a balanced stance, and practicing the movements until they are natural. Core strength, balance, and coordination are essential for mastering the various pop-up techniques.

Once you’ve learned how to paddle the board, the next important technique to learn is how to pop up. Although this beginner’s technique is fundamental to surfing (especially on a longboard or foam surfboard), it is tricky to master. This article focuses on the push-up and slide method for popping up.

Start In The Right Position

Fundamental to executing the pop-up technique is starting in the right position.

Picture this. You’ve paddled out through the surf and joined the lineup. You’ve waited patiently (it’s a busy day), and it’s finally your turn. You paddle hard; the wave starts pushing you. In your excitement, you stand up, but alas! You’re too far back, and your board stalls.

How could you avoid this? By being aware of your body’s position on the board before standing up.

Where You Lie On The Surfboard Is Essential

While paddling out to the waves requires certain body positioning (so you don’t fall off when going over/under waves and swells), once you’re in position, ready to catch a wave, you’ll need to lie on your stomach again in a way that maximizes your paddling capabilities.

I.e., lie where you can paddle quickly with your arms so that the wave catches and drives you along. You want to lie far back enough that the surfboard’s nose is in line with, or just above, the water.

Too low and you’ll nose dive; too high, the back of the board sits too low in the water, creating drag. Unfortunately, this drag results in the wave not pushing you along sufficiently.

You’re too far back if your surfboard’s nose is 30° (or more) above the water.

Lying in the correct spot takes practice. As a beginner, you won’t always get it right. If you surf with friends/a group, ask for pointers as you wait for waves (unless you plan on an out-of-body experience, seeing yourself from the side is challenging).

Another great way to learn about the ideal position is to ride a few waves lying on a surfboard (like a bodyboarder). Although it may feel embarrassing, you’ll learn where to position yourself and what it feels like when a wave takes you.

Preparing For Pushing Up On A Surfboard

Once you’re correctly positioned and the right wave approaches, start paddling!

You’ll paddle between four and eight strokes to move fast enough to catch a wave. Enough speed is essential for a pop-up, and part of the correct position is moving ahead of the wave.

If uncertain, give an extra one or two paddles to ensure you travel with the wave.

Once the wave takes over, put your hands (palms down) on the board with your fingers pointing to the surfboard’s nose. They should be next to your pectoral region.

If you’re on a longboard, position your feet with the toes down on the surfboard’s tail (most beginners start on longboards, as they are easier to balance and the wave catches them quicker).

Congratulations, you’re ready for a push-up!

Push Up and Slide Your Feet

Although there are four different pop-up methods, the push-up method is the easiest for beginners to master. This technique is ideally suited to longboards and large foam boards.

Once you’re moving along with the wave and your hands are in position, push your body up and away from the board, pivoting on your toes on the surfboard’s tail.

Slide your feet underneath yourself when your body is above the surfboard (your arms are stretched to their maximum, giving you as much space as possible).

As strange as it sounds, the best method for this slide is to bring your back foot (if you stand regular, then your right foot, if you stand goofy, then your left foot) forward first. Your back foot should end roughly in line with your other leg’s knee.

Once the back foot is in position, you’ll move the “soon-to-be” front foot forwards and place it between your hands with your knee bent under your chin (ideally, you want to land with your front foot roughly in the middle of the surfboard).

Now you’re ready to stand up. Take your hands off and step up.

Note: Although you can move your front foot into position first, you risk landing too far back on the board, which would cause you to stall and fall.

Tips On Perfecting The Push Up And Feet Slide

• It’s important to push with the same force on both hands; otherwise, you might tip the board one way.

 

• Keeping your hands on the board while sliding your feet helps you maintain your balance and speed (by keeping the nose sufficiently down).

 

• Try not to grab onto the rails (side of the board). Your hands under the board create drag and could cause you to topple over.

 

• You’ll need to be able to push your body up and hold it on your hands and toes, so a degree of physical strength (arms, core, legs, etc.) is necessary. You’ll hold roughly 80% of your body weight on your arms, freeing up your legs to move forward.

 

• Look ahead of you when pushing up. If you look at your feet, you’re likely to fall.

 

• Don’t worry about trying to move both feet and land them on the surfboard simultaneously. Rather, focus on sliding the backfoot into position, followed by the front foot forward.

 

When you’ve mastered this, the movement will be so quick and expertly executed that it’ll look like you’re positioning both feet simultaneously.

Land In The Correct Stance

Once standing on the surfboard, you must adopt the correct stance to maintain your balance and ride the wave effectively.

What Is The Correct Stance When Surfing?

The stance you take depends on whether you’re “natural” (left foot in front) or “goofy” (right foot in front).

Your body posture and foot placement change from pushing up and sliding to standing. I.e., during the push-up, your front foot faces forwards along the midline of the board (across the stinger).

However, once standing, you’ll point both feet perpendicular to the board (although the front foot will be more at a diagonal than the back foot).

An effective stance includes the following:

 

• Keep your knees bent. However, please don’t place your knees on the surfboard, as it’ll make you unstable and make handling the board in bigger waves more difficult (when using the push-up method).

 

• Look toward your intended destination, and do not focus on your surfboard.

 

• Keep the top part of your body as upright as possible. If you lean forward for balance, you’re likely to fall over.

 

• The bulk of your weight should be on the back foot, which keeps your nose out of the water and makes turning easier.

Once you’ve mastered your stance and the correct position on the board, be prepared to adjust and “fine-tune” your technique.

Different waves require you to edge forward or backward on the board to have greater or less lift.

Practice, Practice, Practice

The essential part of the pop-up technique is regular practice, as it’s the only way you’ll build speed, balance, muscle memory, and confidence.

While learning, you’ll practice the pop-up in stages/phases; experienced surfers don’t pause between the steps. They pop up in one (fluid) motion.

You’ll need to practice your timing (with the wave), balance and positioning on the board, and speed (popping up quickly and at greater speeds).

Although this may all seem overwhelming, the great news is, it comes to you over time, and it eventually feels natural and “automatic.”

Tips For Effective Pop-Up Practice

• Start on the sand. Lie on your finless surfboard, and move through the motions.

 

• Once you’re comfortable, you can try it for real on the ocean.

 

• Expect to fail, often in the beginning. However, each time, “get up” and try again. Everyone gets it eventually, and you’re set for surfing when you do!

 

• Ask experienced surfers to watch you on the beach and in the water and give their input/advice. You’ll never learn if you’re not teachable.

 

• Watch other surfers and their techniques when you’re out there.

 

• Start on a longboard surfboard. A longer board is easier to balance and catch waves on, improving your success rate, motivation, and confidence.

 

• When in doubt, join a surf school. If you’re struggling with the process, consider taking a few lessons, they often make all the difference.

Conclusion

Using the push-up method for popping up on a surfboard is a great way for beginners to learn how to start surfing. This method has a significant amount of control and allows the surfer to get their feet in the correct position relatively quickly.

While it is suited to longer surfboards, most beginners start on these boards. The key to perfecting the pop-up is the correct positioning, moving your feet correctly, maintaining the correct stance, and (most critical) practice!