My Favorite Pop Up How To Videos
,Getting Started
When I started surfing, I took a couple of beginner classes. Instructors went over the pop up, had students execute a few on the sand, then we paddled out. Soon we were getting pushed into waves and it became abundantly clear that what worked in the sand, wasn’t going to work for me in the water. I surprised everyone but me when I got up on my first try, but it wasn’t pretty. Later that day I tried to remember the initial instruction and all the adrenaline from the day had washed it all away.
As someone who prefers as much information as I can get my hands on, I immediately went to YouTube to recapture the information I had lost. This video from Pure Vida Adventures served me well in those early days. They teach two pop up methods. I recommend the second — what they refer to as the jump up method — as the better way to pop up. If you struggle to master this on dry land, try the first — the Australian method — instead.
One caveat, the instructor teaches twisting your body to land both feet at a 90 degree angle. As an instructor with Central Florida Women Surfing, we teach landing the feet pointing forward and then rotating them to a 45 degree angle as you stand up. We find this to be an easier approach for beginners, particularly beginner without a lot of flexibility. Over time you will naturally find the best angle for your feet as you improve your pop up. Ultimately, whatever gets you up and riding waves quickly will be the best pop up for you.
What If Your Pop Up Doesn't Pop
Some schools/instructors teach going to your knees first, then standing from there. As someone who randomly picked up going to their knees at one point, I highly advise avoiding this method at all costs. It is incredibly hard to unlearn.
BUT… there are exceptions. I had a student who was in her mid 70’s trying to get to her feet for the first time. We tried several popup methods which just weren’t working for her. The truth was, she just wasn’t flexible enough to do them. And, she might never be. So we had her go to knees first. And she ultimately got to her feet for the first time. It was a win!
This video illustrates how to do the knee pop up with their first technique:
Refining your Pop Up
Getting a solid pop up takes time. Lots of time. The surfers who progress the fastest are the ones who put in the time. Committing to surfing once a week is a really good place to start. Twice a week or more is better. But that can be a difficult adjustment to those who work 40+ hours a week and have other commitments. You can still work on your pop up, however. Practicing your pop up at home in your living room, or at the gym, goes a long way toward building muscle memory. I typically recommend to my students spending 5 minutes a day drilling 10-20 pop ups.
Once you’re popping up and getting waves, you’ll want to make a few refinements. Of course it’s difficult to know what needs refining if you don’t have a coach to give you feedback. Getting video of yourself can go a long way towards illustrating where you need to make changes. Even if you don’t have a friend who can film you from the beach, you can film yourself in your living room.
Check out these two additional videos from Pura Vida Adventures to learn what to avoid with your pop up.