How to Stand up on a Surfboard

Before you can ride the big waves like the pros do, you've got to be able to paddle out to them and stand up on your board. It may look easy, but it takes some practice to make a quick and smooth transition from your stomach to a standing position on a surfboard. Once you get this fundamental step down, you can learn tricks and ride big waves all over the world.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Surfboard leash

1. Practice on dry land. Hit the beach and lie on your stomach on your board. You're basically going to be performing a modified push-up by placing your hands on the rails, the sides of the board, and hopping up to your feet. Do this several times to get your body and mind used to the feeling of popping up on your board.

2. Choose which foot you're going to place in front. Choose either "regular," your right foot, or "goofy," your left foot. Notice which foot you naturally place in the front when you practice on the beach. If you're coming to surfing from skateboarding or snowboarding, you should stick with the same dominant foot. When you hit the waves you'll want to place one foot toward the tail of the board and the dominant foot in the middle.

3. Paddle out to a wave and wait for the current to start pulling you out. When you no longer have to work to paddle, you're ready to stand up on your board. Choose a wave to ride. You'll want to find a small, flat wave at first.

4. Extend your hands around the rails, tuck your knees to your chest and hop up at the same time. Try to avoid jerky movements or you'll fall off the board. Once your feet are planted on the board, lean forward slightly and position them on the rail and middle of the board.

5. Hold your arms out for balance, keep a low center of gravity and stand up. Make sure you continue to lean slightly forward to maintain your balance. Hang ten for as long as possible and repeat. Expect to fall off your surfboard the first couple of times you try to stand up.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to get and use a leash so your board never strays too far away while you're experimenting out there in open waters.
• If you're having trouble popping up, try sliding one foot up under you body and then bring the other one in to form a squatting position. Then ease yourself into a standing position.

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[surfsider]

on 11/1/2008 Surfers with relatively long arms and short legs can usually just swing or pivot their legs under them easily to a pop up position. However, I have short arms, very long legs, and a short torso. This makes it very difficult to pop up cleanly on a short board even after 12 years of surfing (10 on a longboard). Unlike a surfer who pops up easily and gracefully, I am unable to get my front foot to a position somewhere near and between my hands while my hands are still on the board (which is what most good surfers do). If anyone out there has the same problem and has learned to correct it, I would I love to have some advice. I want to be able to pop up swiftly and cleanly (please no step-up technique suggestions) Thanks.