| You are not actually up and surfing unless you can | | | | the wave. Practice popping up on land several |
| pop up and stand on the board while it is on a | | | | times in a row, making sure your end position is |
| wave. The act of popping up is a very scary | | | | the same each time. Your weight should slightly |
| endeavor at first, yet it is the key to surfing | | | | favor your front foot once you've popped up into |
| success. Getting the hang of this vital surfing | | | | your crouched standing position. Eventually that |
| move really is just a matter of practice. Practice, | | | | initial crouch position will feel automatic even when |
| practice, practice. Most beginners find that | | | | you're on the board in the water. |
| practicing a pop-up on the beach helps | | | | Balance is the critical ingredient to popping up. As |
| tremendously before trying it in the water. | | | | you catch the wave, your body should be |
| Learning this skill is good exercise and builds | | | | positioned perfectly in the center of your board. If |
| muscle and strength. | | | | you are too far forward on your board, you will |
| When you are starting out, it is a great idea to | | | | "pearl," which means the nose of your board will |
| practice popping up on a surface that's stable and | | | | catch the wave and you will fall forward before |
| flat. Anything like beach sand or grass will do. Your | | | | being able to pop up. If you are too far back on |
| living room floor works great for this! Start with | | | | your board, you will not be able to catch the |
| your belly on the ground. Then, like a push-up, | | | | wave either. Find a happy medium in the center |
| push your arms and torso up, keeping your belly | | | | of your board before you begin paddling for the |
| button pressed close to the floor. One second | | | | wave, which you can remember by the feel of it |
| after that movement, swing your knees through | | | | and also by some marker or label on the board |
| your arms and jump up into a crouching position | | | | itself. Usually, there is a surfboard label on the |
| with your stronger foot slightly farther back. | | | | deck of the board that you can use to situate |
| Throughout this movement, concentrate on your | | | | yourself before paddling for a wave. |
| balance. Your knees should still be bent and will act | | | | Paddle hard for the wave before it comes. |
| as shock absorbers while riding down the face of | | | | |