Real short board pop-up

[macewen]

Nice. I've always been a bit slow & off balance on my pop, but getting better.

I heard an instructor telling a 1st timer to look ahead at the beach while they popped up. So I started trying that and it helps a ton!

[lovelymartyr]

no ... do less ...

[bibikodish]

cute .. like your clip .. keep it up =)

[flyingpika]

Very good video, it helped me a lot thank you, but I think this is not the true technique, but will get you going.

Also check "take off surf" by eltorpedo17

[AsurfL]

Please jelp me out icant get from my knees to feet in one motion. My hands are in the right place and i arch my back...

[anurism1]

Thanks man, this is the best vid on this i havee ver seen.

[simonafloat]

Good video, this sorted me out! 2 Years of frustration and after I watched this video it clicked after a few attempts! One thing I'd say is that once you've got it nailed, it isn't that physically demanding. I'm 40 and not especially fit, so I'd say that if it feels like hard work you're probably not doing it right. Respect for this video.

[98nfsmw98]

You make this tutorial too complicated. Popping up should be simple and clear - if you have too much to think about you can't do it properly in the water.

All you need to know, is push up with pure upper body strength, don't use your knees or legs.

If you can't do that, get fit and get exercise.

You shouldn't be thinking about momentum and little things to do like that, just do it.

[H2Obrethren]

@98nfsmw98 I do realize that this tutorial could be "dumbed down" a bit, but also realize that I intend for viewers to be able to figure out their body movements that encourage popping up and then they should practice until it's embedded in muscle memory, before even trying it in the water. I made this video a while back, and I don't want to take it down and "upgrade it" per se because this video is already widely-viewed

[98nfsmw98]

@H2Obrethren ohk

[TheoryBodyBoarding]

@98nfsmw98 If this is complicated to you then you must get confused a lot.

[98nfsmw98]

@TheoryBodyBoarding No, you don't understand. When you do a pop up on a shortboard you should not think about what you're doing, you should just have a basic knowledge of how to do it, and then do it. This guy is adding extra stuff for you to think about, like momentum, and using your legs for momentum.

[trexinvert]

Dude that's awesome how you do it. It takes total commitment, and "hope" you land perfectly centered and balanced. Us, newbies with boards "too short" are going to be wobbling a bit. Also, in actual surfing if you catch it right you will be on a wave looking down. Feet will be higher than your head. That's freaky. Then we gotta jump with only two hands on board. Guess, you gotta commit and go for it. I think an easier method for newbie is just think of "sliding lead foot and twist".

[H2Obrethren]

@trexinvert The thing is, I think it's easier to pop-up while actually surfing than doing it on on dry land. On the wave, the water beneath you gives, so you're pushing the board "down" as much as you're pushing yourself up.

[Riggro]

@H2Obrethren also if it's timed correctly the board would be already "falling" down the wave while you push on it. so instead of pushing your body up, it kinda sorta feels like you are just holding the board in place. it's weird. I'm learning to shortboard and have done it correctly a few times. :D

[kaityyyie]

that is so much harder than it looks.

How many years did it take you to do that?

It looks like you got springs you knees or somethin.

I haven´t grown those yet, I guess I´ll have to stick with the one foot first technique for now

Anyway, great job!

[H2Obrethren]

@kaityyyie Actually, if you force yourself to pop-up like this, than it only takes a few sessions to grow competent. However, after about two years I feel that my technique is getting better and better.

[WholisticPlanetary]

H20brethren - nice video, and I gotta say, I had a hard time popping on a shorty for a long time, but then one of the biggest mistakes I was making was not putting my hands far enough down to my lower chest/upper stomach. Once the hands are down that low, popping up high enough to swing the knees in and under is a cinch!! NICE VIDEO - I've sent it to a lot of friends...

[H2Obrethren]

@WholisticPlanetary thanks man,  It feels really good once you pop-up in one smooth motion. cheers

[WholisticPlanetary]

@H2Obrethren - fo'shizzle m'man.... Don't get me wrong, I've been surfing for a while, but at 6'2" in height I wanted to go from long funboard to short board FAST - and my pops were the thing that held be back from shortboarding with agility for a couple seasons. Then one day? Just put my hands lower down and BOOM, just like dat!! Nice video - and forget the static these punks talk at you, you kick for putting a good vid out. Peace.

[Filipb2101]

@WholisticPlanetary

How much lower down?

I'm the same, at about 5,11" I want to go straight into shortboarding, but the popup is holding me back. I just can't seem to nail it.

[joedvs1]

@WholisticPlanetary that totally helped me too i kept doing it wrong (laying down while putting my back foot on then front) , then i saw ur comment, now it feels soo good that i can FINALLY do it! i am sooo excited. can wait to try it out in the waves. thank u H20brethren and WholisticPlanetary.

[WholisticPlanetary]

@joedvs1  Aw Braddah, totally welcome man. One of things people often say is that popping up is "just like a push up", but it's not - your hands aren't at your shoulder/upper chest level, they should be down just above your shorts and below your ribs. Once your hands are there - BOOM!!!! Get out and SURF!!!!! Peace.

[aRiRoX1]

Cool but i suggest not to underestimate the PRO surfers!

[BeAsTm0aD]

man, I always end up doing a face plant and I dunno why.

[H2Obrethren]

@BeAsTm0aD Haha, If you mean when you're actually surfing it's probable cuz your hand slipped off... just don't grab the rail and try to place your palms flat on the deck

[BeAsTm0aD]

@H2Obrethren oh deng, ya maybe it's because my hands aren't in the middle when I push up. Thanks.

[Marshmillo]

@BeAsTm0aD I used to have the same problem, wanna know what it was?

I was standing straight up too fast. Try Popping up into a squat stance then slowing standing up. If you want to do this really good try keep your finger tips on the ground.

[Marshmillo]

hey guys look at my video please, was wondering if you could tell me if i was doing it wrong or not

[trphotography]

Are you using your knee's to help push your body up?

[H2Obrethren]

@trphotography as you're in the "arched back" position, a lot of your weight gets shifted back onto your knees. From the stability (very fleeting) that this provides. You suck your hips (legs will follow) underneath your body.

[gabjam]

This has genuinely really helped. Just moved from a 7'9" to a 6'6" and was having real issues getting up on time without faceplanting.

[xxsistervillxx]

jesus, thank you im so used to longboard and... u know u have to do all this shit to get up...

[H2Obrethren]

@xxsistervillxx It really isn't that much, it just take a lot to explain it.

[yowanda95]

how many push ups can u do?

[H2Obrethren]

on a good day, 20-30

[98nfsmw98]

What if you have a traction pad where your knees are? Which is a lot of people. How do you get up then, if the traction but has "tractioned" your knees.

??? Someone please answer :D thanks

[H2Obrethren]

@98nfsmw98 It takes time to get this down perfect, so if you're messing up, it's not the traction's pad fault. The traction pad shouldn't get in the way at all.

[98nfsmw98]

Okay, but you can't swing your legs up on the short board like that can you? It would push the back of the board down and stop you from catching the wave? That's what happened to me when I tried it anyway.

[H2Obrethren]

@98nfsmw98

Ok, the thing about the leg swing is that it's a subtle movement, and if you're kick-paddling, you already doing it. The key to popping up is your back and hips.

[98nfsmw98]

Thanks :D but what do you do with your back and hips?

[H2Obrethren]

I added an annotation at 41 sec. It's sorta hard to explain though...

[98nfsmw98]

Oh yes, I finally figured out what you mean.

You lift yourself into an arched position, swing your legs up as well as your hips and push your legs through your arms :D

So you actually have to try and lift your hips up. When I first watched this vid I thought you get momentum to pop up by swinging your legs up and down but now I know better. Thanks heaps :D

[H2Obrethren]

@98nfsmw98 Yes, that is correct

[Audreywolf]

heyy everyone...

I'm a first year shortboarder... and surf a "6'2

Surfing in holland...

So don't expect that much of the waves...

does anyone got some tips in barrels or cutbacks... and the superman?? and frontside air reverse??

[rehsulS]

This is, by far, the best demonstration on how to pop up on a short board. I wish I had seen this years ago! Nice work man.

[Riggro]

just got it down :) ready to try it on my 6'10" keep in mind I'm 6'3"

[MsLilkiki24]

wat my legs did not pop

[andyvxss]

exellent vid and responses well done mate

[shamieljay]

thx for this vid!!!!! After searching all over the net on how to shortboard pop-up, this one helped the most! After lots & lots of practice I'm finally getting it right.

[jackillin]

Thanks, such a big help, I've been using a long-board and some 7' footers wanna downsize a bit, but keep popping up to my back knee & front foot. I'll give this a go on the floor and see if I improve.

[huy779]

i remember when i was little, poping up WAS SO FUCKIN HARD!!!!

[iEmbury]

im switching from a longboard, to a 6'2 shortboard, im not quite used to the speed of the popup, and cant get it the the quickness it needs to be. do you have any tips or practices on how to get faster besides doing this over and over again? like maybe certain muscle groups? or

[H2Obrethren]

Nope, just practice and surfing will help. No short cuts! but seriously, there isn't.

[RANGONO]

hey i just started surfing and i ride a 6 foot 4 shortboard and i need to know if my feet should b hanging of the back when im catching a wave or if they should b on the board(im about 5,10..)

[H2Obrethren]

Your feet should be hanging off, as long as wen you paddle, you're planing the surface and not pushing water

[yowanda95]

thank god someone made one that was right!!! Even the olly pop one is wrong!!! I was about to make a video on how to do a shortboard pop up!!! thanx 4 making it!

[BrentRoseVideo]

Nice video. I would really love to see one on timing, though. As in, how to time your popup on the actual breaking wave. For people who are transitioning from a longboard to a shorty, that is one of the most confusing things. Where on a wave do you need to be? When do you time the popup. That would be a great video.

[H2Obrethren]

Really, the only way you can learn timing is by experience and feel. Generally, you want to pop-up as early as possible without losing the wave. If you pop-up too early, you'll likely lose the wave or go over the falls, but if you pop-up too late, you won't be in any position to handle the drop. It's all about feeling the wave pick you up and push as you paddle for it.

[Riggro]

that's where I'm at, my pop up is too slow and I end up dropping hard while still on my knees. I'll be practicing this. thanks.

[TheMondial]

Any chance you can elaborate on the "using your knees for leverage" - there is something I'm not getting about that whole process....

Thanks

[H2Obrethren]

There's not much more I can say. I guess you could compare a pop-up to a "girl" push-up - except that you explode when you push up and bring your legs up beneath you.

Keep trying... good luck

[TheMondial]

I cannot figure out how to do it with out using my toes to push off from, how do you do it when there is nothing but water under your toes to push against?

[H2Obrethren]

Like I said in the video, use the leverage that your knees provide to push yourself up and get your feet under. Of course, the best thing would be to keep practicing until you get on dry land.

[oneillSurfRIDER]

wouldnt the leg swing take up some time while popping up?

[H2Obrethren]

Well, If you're kick-paddling, your legs are already up. And if you don't kick paddle, your legs just kinda do their thing... I guess they sorta raise up while you're paddling right before you pop-up (they don't interfere with the actual pop-up) ... don't worry too much about the leg "swings" just focus on getting up in one motion.

[Jammy1800]

hands flat on the board or holding the rails?

[H2Obrethren]

It's best to get in the habit of putting you hands flat on the deck, but their are some situations where you can't prevent holding your rails. But in a straight, standard pop-up keep your hands flat on the deck... if your hands are on your rails, you run the risk of slipping off.

[98nfsmw98]

Oh, thanks. I knew how to do this video but SEEING someone doing it properly helps me and now I know what I did wrong.

[toddosdca]

This is good. Thanks H2Obrethren. Much better than some of the other popup videos posted by people who probably don't really know how to surf. I never realized about bringing my feet back before popping up but I see how that would help with the momentum. I'd try it today but the surf sucks!

[H2Obrethren]

Like I said in the description, you'll be kick-paddling in a real scenario, so that pretty much mimics bringing your feet up. And you don't need surf to practice!  Do it on the ground first!

[98nfsmw98]

What is kick paddling?

[im2sexy4ascrnme]

It's when you kick with your feet to help you get more speed to paddle into the wave, much like what you do with your legs when swimming.

[98nfsmw98]

Do you have to kick paddle to catch a wave? Or does kick paddling just help. Because if I did it my legs wouldn't be off the board enough. If I moved back the front would go up.

[98nfsmw98]

Do you need to kick paddle? Or does it just help?

I can't kick paddle because I'm only 13 and if I move back to where I can kick with my legs. When I'm in my usual spot my legs only hang off up to my knees.

[H2Obrethren]

You don't HAVE to kick paddle. But what you sadi about your legs hanging up to your knees should be enough to be able to kick paddle, especially when you're in the bulge of the wave right when you catch it. I'm 5'7 and I can kick paddle on a 6'4.

[98nfsmw98]

Okay, I can do the pop up on ground now fine. But when I try to do it on my surfboard in the water I can't do it. I think the wax is stopping my knees from moving. And I also have a grip pad could that make it harder?

[H2Obrethren]

Just keep trying, you'll get it.

[98nfsmw98]

Okay, thanks.

[furyofbongos]

I've always wondered about the kick-paddle thing. Maybe it's just the way my ankles are built, but when I analyze it, I don't see how it contributes to forward motion. In fact, I'd say it might slow you down.

Down stroke, foot is at angle such that when it goes down it makes backwards thrust. Upstroke, yes, some forward thrust (maybe, but it will have to overcome the drag of the foot and leg in the water). Does it balance out? Maybe, maybe not.

My guess is not.

[H2Obrethren]

If you find that it doesn't work for you, then don't do it. I find that I can "explode" better into take-offs when I kick-paddle. Some don't. To each his own.

[oneillSurfRIDER]

nice