I'm having the hardest time standing up when I surf. I've been doing it for 3 months and feel like maybe I

Question

just can't learn. I started on a 7'6 board so I figured that was my problem. Then I bought a 9'0 board. I've only been out on it once and didn't stand up on it. I'm not overweight. I'm in pretty good health. Can someone people just not learn? Is it because I'm female and don't have enough upper body strength? Shouldn't I be getting it by now? I was on the beach today and some guy told me that I shouldn't hold the rails when I pop up, that I should push down in the middle of the board. Is that right? How long did it take you?

Answer 1

U Need To Some How Increase Your Balance Capability....

And How I Taught My Mate To Get Up was I Made An Outline Of His Surfboard In His bedroom Floor With Chalk N Marked Where He Needed To Position him Self On the Board. then I told Him To Practice 20 Jump to Feets Every Day, In Under 2 Months N Surfing Most Weekends He Finally Caught A Wave Along the Face. and he was racticing on a 6'4 by the way.

Just Practice Getting to Ya Feet On Land n Then Practice Out In the Surf. Trust Me, Practiceing on land or in ya bedroom helps you alot, soon it will b a natural part of surfing n u wont even think about getting to ya feet. it just happens ;)

Answer 2

It has nothing to do with being female.  Surfing probably has the steepest learning curve out of any sport.  Unless you have totally shot joints, anyone can learn to ride a board.  Heck, even old guys like Skip Frye who's like as old as Yoda can still ride to this day.

Each board rides differently, and you have to position yourself as you paddle differently.  It may just be that you're not in the right spot on your board.  Generally, you want your face right above or around the logo on your board if it has one.  This will help you so you don't push water or dig the nose while paddling.

Make sure you're centered on your board down the stringer.  You don't want to be leaning on one side or the other.

Also, that guy is right about not holding the rails.  Sometimes holding the rails makes you lean too much onto one side or the other.  You can also slip off real easy too if you mess up while grabbing the rails.  You don't have to push down on the exact middle of the board, but just do a "push up" like the exercise.

Take it slow, and have patience.  If you need to, get the rhythm right and pop-up on the sand.  Break it down in your head if you need to.  Pop up to your knees if you need to.

It also might be the waves you're learning on.  Smaller waves will definitely help you out.  Cleaner waves will help too.  If it's too windy or too big or too steep, you won't learn quickly unless you're willing to take a beating.  But since you're just beginning, I don't think it would be a good idea as you'll be a danger to yourself and everyone around you.

As much as I don't like them, try going to a surf school like Surf Diva.  They can assess your skill level, and work with you from there.  It's extremely difficult to learn by reading and not doing.

Answer 3

no, if you want to do it bad enough you'll learn eventually..

Go quicker from your stomach to your feet, straight up.

Dont hold the rails, and dont stand too far forward when your up, have fun...

Answer 4

brandoski888 answered your question clearly i was teaching my best friend to surf and she didnt stand up and actually ride a wave till her 6th or 7th month of surfing how are the waves where you are??!  you did good in getting a bigger board once you start off with the 9'0 it will be easier for you to ride a shorter board, one thing you gotta do is relax if you are not relaxed when you go out in the water it wont be fun, when you pop up and stand dont look down! becasue you'll go down. look at the wave, bend your knees lil bit and cruiseee ...good luck!..... I can't really say if I push down on the rails or the middle it's something that just happens all on its own..

Answer 5

that dude is tripping he obviously doesnt kno anything about surfing you push up on the rails,and don't worry it took me a while to learn how to stand up and now i'm carving it up and iv only been surfing for 2 years so i'm sure you'll get it soon you just have to go out more and practice in the white wash

hope everything goes alright keep practicing

Answer 6

Go on a surf tour with other like minded people, there are plenty of trips running up the coast aimed at back packers who have never surfed in there life either. I did one about 5 years ago up to byron bay and have never looked back. It was cheap and was an awesome experience.

I am a big guy, who struggled for 3 months 3 times a week getting hammered until it clicked. And now I am out ther 3 days a week loving every minute of it! Depends on your commitment to see it through . Even once you got it, you still don't got it, Part of the constant progression. HANG IN THERE!

Answer 7

Are you having troubly actually catching the wave or just with standing up?

Holding the rails won't make any difference.  To be honest I couldn't tell you whether I grab the rails or not.  Figuring out how to get your feet under you is just something that you just have to learn through repetition.  You need to figure out where the balance point is on your board and center your weight over it. Try putting your board in calm water and watch how it floats.  The shaper usually tries to put the logo where your face should be but it does not always end up there so you may have to try different positions on the board.  Doing popups on dry land helps but there is no substitute for time in the water.  

My first board was a 7'2" fun board that I had a h**l of a time trying to learn on.  Turns out that it probably had problems with the rocker 'cause it wouldn't maintain speed down the wave face and made it hard to get to my feet.  A 9' board should make learning easier but it will take some getting used to trying to get it up to speed to catch the wave.

Just stick with it.

Answer 8

Here's a great article titled  'Learn How to Surf In Just 1 Day':

http://www.beachtrading.com/learn-how-to...

It's fine to hold the rails when you get up, (I've been surfing for over 30 years and always have)... the trick is to first be centered on the board while you're laying down and paddling then when you go to stand up you hold onto the rails and BRING YOUR FEET UP UNDER YOU in one quick, smooth motion.

Most people stand up by raising their bodies up and over their feet, (which are near the back of the board). This will throw your center of gravity and balance off... you need to stay over the center of the board and bringing your feet up and under you will do this.

Read the article... it's pretty good and has got a step-by-step guide.

Hang in there and don't give up... it took me an entire summer to stand up!

Answer 9

When you feel the wave start to push the board, while holding onto both sides with your hands... push down. It will cause the board to start moving down the face of the wave. Then try to stand up. You need to stand up fast. You have to pop! You really have to practice. You'll get it eventually. Just don't give up.

Answer 10

who cares get a hot hhot boy to teach you