How do you get up on a surfboard?

Question

i surfed for my first time last week and i couldnt get up on the board! it was really frustrating because im good at any other sport! the board im surfing on is like a medium board. anyone have step-by-step tips for me? thanks!

Answer 1

Swim out and wait til the water is at a low tide and then jump on.

Answer 2

okay, let me just tell you- your not gonna get up right away. it can take weeks, months, even years to perfect this skill- but don't let it get you down.

so here's how you do the perfect pop- up:

step 1: make sure you are centered on the board to ensure a smooth ride. if your to far to the left or right your not gonna be able to stay balanced. also, make sure your not to far back on the board- this is called stalling- and the name basically says it all. the nose of your board will pop up and you wont be able to move. and like wise, don't be to far foreword on the board. this is called pearling, and the nose will be under the water. if you catch a wave and your pearling, your gonna do a nosedive for the bottom- avoid this.

Step 2: when you see the wave you wanna catch, paddle around so that your facing the beach- now paddle for your life.

Step 3: when you feel the wave take you (and believe me, you'll know) quit paddling and place your hands on the board. from here your going to want to go into a push up position.

Step 4: this ones tricky. without allowing yourself to get stuck on your knees, bring your feet out from under you, so your standing on the board sideways, knees slightly bent.

Step 5: Enjoy the wave!

so just remember, you want this to be one quick, graceful, fluid motion. don't let failure get you down or better surfers intI'midate you. there are plenty of beginners in the water too (believe me, im one of them). and just have a good time no matter what.

Answer 3

The first thing is to learn your balance and which foot is in the front., You will learn this if you learn to be competent on a skate board. Turning and weaving is similar. Getting up needs to be quick and timed as the wave begins to take you. You can stack a couple sofa cushions, set the board on top and practice getting up quickly keeping it balanced. Do not get on your knees, go directly to your feet. Maybe have someone lift the rear slightly to simulate the lift of the wave while getting up. Getting familiar with the board and water is 'lots of practice'. I started surfing many years ago and began in the white water but it wasn't easy. After a while I decided to go outside to try to catch a swell before it broke. The first real wave I rode was about 4 ft. fast and smooth. With the wind in my ears, the elevator feeling, I got up, turned and rode it a short while finding it easy to maneuver on rather than the white water. I will never forget my first wave and that was 40 years ago. Yes I still surf but not as often these days. It doesn't matter which one you are, right footed, goofy footed, or blessed ability to do both, it's what you are comfortable with. Learn to read the swell as it approaches. Ask yourself, am I in a good spot not too far out and not where it will crash on you and where is the peak is going to start breaking, will I go left or right. Paddle with your hands down in the water, not skimming on top, keep an eye on the wave over your shoulder so it doesn't break too soon and guage enough time to get up and turn. If you decide not to go just sit up and stop with your legs. Again, it's getting familiar with practice. Good luck to you and hope you enjoy my life long favorite sport.

Here are some sites to click that you might find interesting

http://members.aol.com/Kayaksrfrs/manual...

http://surfing.about.com/od/surfinstruct...

Answer 4

medium board... try a longer one... 11 feet is the best for beginners... VERY stable and easy to catch smaller waves