The art of the pop-up: Simple steps to improve your surfing 

I am 72 , been surfing since 65,and after watching your show I think with a little work I will be back in the water soon. Thanks for your help. I'll let you know how it goes 😏.

the no cut editing without music, just the sound of the crashing waves, is great.

Slow is smooth, smooth is fast!! So true!!

one thing is worth mentioning specially for those who have hip mobility issues, is to do the Brad Gerlach technique he uses on waveki, where as you are in the last 3-4 strokes of your paddle-to-pop, you slightly tilt your butt up, making space for your legs to slide between your body and get into position. That has helped me so much, and my pop up make/fall ratio is now 90/10% where it used to be more like 50/50

I've watched hundreds of vids on this issue.rhis is top notch ,great advice really kept it honest to point

FOGY (Fat old guy) here. THANK YOU Brad this is great advice and yea it's a LOT harder these days! Knees, ankles, hip, shoulders, neck, back, yea those injuries do like to come back and remind me I am not 20 anymore. Love to see you in the water with the knee drag and one knee stand up. Greatly appreciated all of the great info!

Really helpful commentary, thanks. 44 year old here, arguably in the best (worst) shape of my life. Daily walks, lots of cycling, yoga, the occasional run have me in the best shape but everything hurts ha. I’ve been paddling around on a 6’6” soft top and while I thought it was a bit of an optimistic progression for me, I feel I’m paddling it fairly well and reading water and waves better. My pop ups and rides are a different story ha! But I suppose with practice and helpful tutorials like this one, it’s a matter of progress not perfection. Cheers from Colombia! 🤙

How timely, popups are the focus of my "surfing" these days and my mantra on the waves. Before paddling out, I also try to remember the wise words of Kunu (aka Chuck): "The less you do, the more you do..." "Yeah, that wasn't quite it, but we're gonna figure it out out there!" And you know the rest.😂 Srsly, though, thanks for all this. As an active competitive swimmer and runner, my strength, esp. in paddling, is pretty good for 51. It's my balance, flexibility, hand/foot placement and technique that need work! All of these, I know practice at home and yoga will help. Another thing I noticed is that instead of keeping my toes on the tail and using my knees, which results in a slow crawl for me (and lost waves), it's better when I do what I see better surfers doing: Whether on short or long boards, they keep their lower legs in the air, knees bent, hands near chest, lifting up and making room as he says. Then swinging legs underneath in one movement and planting my feet on the board. If that makes any sense? Sorry if this is obvs or I'm just repeating what he said, but yes, pls, more vids like this.☮️

Consistency has always been my issue. I've never worked out how some people seem to never have a bad day. One day I'm in total control and the next I can't catch a wave. It psychological but have no idea how to remedy it.

I think the location makes a huge difference as well. Progressing on the east coast is 5X harder than California because of the waves. It's the type of wave that's available. For example in Florida your time to popup is literally 1 second no matter what the conditions. California, it depends on the forecast, but you sometimes have 4-5 seconds to popup, sometimes longer, sometimes you can just stay in cobra position the entire wave in California. I'm obviously jealous. Hahaha.

CB, the master

Good information for you Simon and Lewis

Tai chi is great for hip flexibility and moving balance, better than yoga for surfing. I still struggle with my pop ups but I'm riding a 4.8ft foil board my knees hang off the back so I got to do a double foot pop up in one . Thanks for the advice on this video.

Chris Brown is on point great info

Great advice man. Awesome vid. What stops me from charging big waves is my pop up. I keep slamming my back foot on the tail of the short board. Almost has me giving up on short boarding. Any tips? Cheers!

I would also suggest to limit the amount of jucy IPAs, they are pop up killers!!!

I’m too flexible. My goal is to stabilize. Plus I’ve had 3 shoulder surgeries for dislocation. Popping up is hard with a weak shoulder. I do it slowly, sort of a “labored” pop up hands on rails not on top of board, then one leg at a time. It sucks..not like when I was younger!

Cool vid

I am 20, been surfing for a long time but not consistent and not with the right board or training. Right now i can say i am intermediate beginner, i ride a 7’ feet fun board and what i find at most time as weak spot is when the wave is a little bit too steep and i cant get my self to pop up and be stable if i do, you have any tips for that? Another question is how to know where to put my self in the line for the best experience for my skill level🤩

I'm older and my pop up is slowing. I found this video very insightful. My boards are getting bigger too. What kinds/size of boards does the instructor use?

Awesome 👏 info gents, I just took today off as took a wipe out and ripped the muscles in my neck hit the water hard headfirst, any advice on keeping those muscles strong for a 50 year old fart?💨 thanks Jp

i see both of his feet stepping into the sand, , knees in the air, what pop up am i looking at here? 🤔

first comment

STENGTH

The reason this exist for young surfers is because you have surf camp idiots pushing morons into waves , this is starting to be annoying and could lead to violence , wise up