How do you pop up correctly?

Question

I have a 7'4 funshape, I'm 5'2, and weigh 107 pounds. I'm having trouble popping up. I can catch white wash, but when it comes to a real wave, I get worried. I feel like I second guess myself. How do you pop up? What size surfboard do you recommend (like a shortboard) when my skills really pick up?

Answer 1

riding white wash is pretty lame, but i suggest stop second guessing yourself you have to commit when youre going to pop up into a wave when you second guess you'll most likely fall since youre not concentrating on catching the wave but more on falling and getting worked

now for the pop up. when youre paddling arch your back up a little keep your head level and never look down. you always want to look towards the way youre about to go which is down the line. or where the face is. when youre paddling and feel your board gaining speed quickly put your hand on the deck now push up slide your leading foot under your chest and your trailing foot on the tail or deckpad (this must be done in one fluid motion if youre too slow most likely you'll miss the wave or bog) keep low and crouch. when a wave looks a little too steep instead of paddling straight towards the shore and dropping in straight down. angle your board towards the way youre going to go as youre paddling for that wave

if youre scared to try it in the water i suggest practicing your pop up on the ground. draw a silhouette of your board and practice on it keep doing it till your pop up is one fluid motion and your foot positioning is just right (its all about muscle memory do it enough times and it will be second nature)

as for what board you should get..well its too early to tell how quickly you'll learn and what kind of waves you'll be charging for and what kind of performance youre looking to get out of the board