Beginners Master the Pop Up by learning the techniques and practicing in their living room. The pop up is one of the more challenging techniques for beginners to learn and they need the specific strengths and flexibilities for success. Many beginners have not exercised for a while and their bodies are not accustomed to movement.
The pop ups (beginner and advanced) require smooth power to push the upper torso off the surfboard and then to get the rest of the body up on the strength of the legs. If people have put on weight and not exercised, they often do not have the strength in their legs to be smooth.
The Basics of the Pop Ups
I mention two pop ups because some learn the advanced pop up in their beginner lessons in times past. I have found the advanced pop up which is popping both feet on the board from the prone position is too difficult for most people. I teach a beginner pop up in which the surfer puts their back foot on the board first and stands on it.
The beginner pop up emphasizes leg strength which most people have more than upper body and core strength. In the beginner pop up, the surfer puts their rear foot under their butt flat on the surfboard. This is where flexibility fails many beginners. They don’t have the hamstring, buttocks, and lower back flexibility to get the foot flat on the board under their butt.
After having the foot flat on the surfboard, the surfer stands on it as he raises his hands and drives the front foot towards the nose. The proper stance is feet shoulder width apart, hips and shoulders square to the front with both hands in front, and knees flexed. Riding in the correct posture is necessary to stay on the surfboard.
If the posture is correct, the surfer will go straight to the beach with little effort required. If the surfer falls off the back of the board on his butt side, he has twisted into a skateboarders stance with one hand behind the body. If the surfer flies off the front of the surfboard, he hasn’t released his hands soon enough and probably held onto the board until both feet were in place.
Daily practice in the living room will lead to greater success in the water.
In my new book Get Fit to Surf, I introduce a good program for beginning the long term process of getting healthy and fit by losing weight as we get stronger. Both are great for surfing.
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See the book on Getting Fit to Surf and Losing Weight at the same time. A great combination for changing your lifestyle and improving your health. Everything becomes possible when you are fit.
Buy the E-Book on Kindle $5.99
Buy the Paperback on Amazon $7.99
Get the book Everybody Can Surf. It is a great guide for those who have been inactive or are overweight. Learn how to get the body in motion, start exercises to improve surf specific muscles, develop the flexibility for the pop up, and how to begin a weight loss program. Also learn all the fundamentals learned in a surf lesson for catching and riding waves.
Buy the E-Book on Kindle for $5.99 (the E-book cover is different for the moment)
Buy the Paperback on Amazon $7.99
