Foundations · 4 min read · Board: A wide, thick soft-top makes it much easier.
From lying down to standing in one motion, on the same wave you were just paddling.
The pop-up is the first thing every surfer learns and the first thing they get wrong. Learn it on the sand until you can do it without thinking.
Lie on the board in your paddling position.
Hands flat on the deck beside your chest, fingers pointing forward. Not on the rails.
Push up like a push-up, arch your back and keep your head up.
Bring your back foot under you, onto the tail pad, in one move. Your front foot goes between your hands.
Stand with your knees bent, feet about shoulder-width apart, front foot across the board and the back foot at an angle. Hands in front for balance.
Stance
Regular means the left foot goes forward, goofy the right. If you are not sure, have a friend gently push you from behind: the foot you step forward with is the front one. Eyes look where you want to go, not at your feet.
Mistakes
Getting a knee on the board first. It slows you down and tips the board.
Standing up tall. Stay low, the same way you would on a skateboard.
Feet too close together, or in a line along the board. Think: front foot over the stringer, back foot at the tail.
Looking down. The board follows your eyes.
Drills
Ten pop-ups on the beach, twice a day, with your eyes closed once in a while. It should feel like one movement.
Pop-ups on a mat at home, on a board or a yoga mat. The feet should land in the same two places every time.
A guide is not a coach. If you can, take a lesson or surf with someone better than you.