PRO-POP

One of the fastest ways to improve your surfing is to master the pop up, like really master it.

Why?

Well, popping up faster drastically improves your make rate on the waves you catch, opening you up to successfully catching - and riding out of - steeper, more challenging waves more often.

Popping up quickly to your feet though takes considerable strength and agility, so it's something that can really pay off with practice.

But before we get to this weeks tasks and home practice, let's jump in and examine things in a little more detail.

WHAT IS THE PRO-POP?

The Pro-Pop is the technique used by elite surfers to get to go from the prone position (lying down) to their feet as quickly as possible.

Unlike many of the other pop-up techniques that are more of a broken down, staggered climb to the feet, the pro-pop method is an explosive burst of energy taking the surfer from their belly to their feet in one single motion.

It’s the most effective technique to be able to get to your feet quickly when surfing unbroken waves, but, it's also the most difficult. So don't be too hard on yourself if you don't get it straight away, but this technique is where you want to be headed long term that's for sure.

*Note: If you have been using your knees and any other sloppy technique up until this point, now is the time to shift those bad habits in this course with us. It might be a of a case of 'one step forward two steps back', but it'll serve you well in the long run, as ANY delay in the pop-up process taking off on unbroken waves will have a huge impact on you successfully riding the rest of the wave.

WHY IS THE PRO-POP IMPORTANT?

The Pro-Pop is the fastest way to go from prone position to your feet. This is important for a number of reasons:

It allows you to pop to your feet right at the top of the wave where it's safest without going down the face on your belly.
Minimises any loss of speed during the pop-up process.
Allows you to catch steeper green waves, and stick them more often.
Increases your pop-up make rate considerably.
Helps you to set your line earlier in the wave face to reduce the steepness of the wave, and make bigger sections more often.

It's an advanced technique for sure, and you may even experience a downslide in your surfing ability when trying to transition to this pop-up method in the short term, however it's a crucial technique that you should invest in as it'll pay dividends in the long run.

It's at this stage where so much frustration develops and some people give up, some people plateau and others excel.

So it really is a key skill to be practicing to develop your surfing skills to the next level.

BUT FIRST...CAN YOU 'POP'?

THE PRO-POP: BREAKING IT DOWN

Come onto your board or if you prefer draw a surfboard in the sand.
Place your hands on the deck of the board - near your pectorals (chicken wing position).
Toes are up, not touching the board. This is important as at no point do your toes touch the board during this pop-up process.
Push up using your arms and lift your chest, peel away your thighs off the deck, arch your back backwards and bump off your knees.
Plant your back foot first, and swing your front foot through your hands as you simultaneously release them. Keep your bum low as you do this.
Rise up into the standing position, swing your arms out in front of you and you're now ready to go!

BUT WHAT IF I CAN'T DO THE PRO-POP METHOD?

We understand that not everybody will be quite at the level yet where they have the strength, dexterity, and agility to perform the pro-pop. If that's you, then you should first be practicing the Aussie Pop-up method below, before progressing to the pro-pop in due time.

Quick note though...

Even if you're not there yet with the Pro-Pop method we still strongly advice that you keep practicing at home to build up the muscles needed to get it dialled, as down the track it's a key component to surfing better long term.

THE AUSSIE POP-UP

If you're struggling to get any 'POP' in your pop-up then don't worry as the Aussie Pop-up method is a good stepping stone for your right now.

HOW TO

Come onto your board, or if you prefer draw a surfboard in the sand.
Place your hands on the deck of the board - near your pectorals (chicken wing position).
From here bring your back leg and cork your leg towards your body (lizard toe) - if your doing this right your back leg will be placed on top of the fins.
Have your hips opened and slightly ajar.
From this position - in one continuous movement - lift your body up whilst your press on your hands and your back leg.
Your back leg locks into place first at a 90 degrees angle as you simultaneously swing your front foot through your hands and place it on the deck of the board at 45 a degree angle.
With your hands still on the deck of the board slowly rise up to your feet keeping your eyes looking forward at all times.

WRAPPING IT UP

Alright, so you should now have a good understanding of what the pro-pop method is, and why it's important.

Now as we mentioned we don't expect you to master this technique right away, but it is important for your progression that this is something that you continue to work on as in the long run it's super important.

So, your homework for this week is to practice the Pro-Pop technique at least ten times each day. You can do it on your board at home without fins, or even just on the floor is fine, but remember, no toes to touch the board/floor at any time through the process.

THE ‘LITTLE KNOWN’ PRO POP

YOU MUST BE LOGGED IN TO ACCESS THIS COURSE

LEVEL 1 BEGINNER

GOTTA HAVE POP!

SPEED

TURNING

THE SUBTLE ART OF NEGOTIATING WAVES

PADDLING

NEXT STEPS...

LEVEL 2 PROGRESSOR

IT'S TIME TO PROGRESS...

POP-UP LIKE THE PRO'S

READING WAVES

CATCHING UNBROKEN WAVES

TURN BABY TURN

TRIMMING

NEXT STEPS...

LEVEL 3 IMPROVER

THE QUICKENING

ANGLED TAKE OFF

SPEED

BOTTOM TURNS

CARVING

CUTBACKS

NEXT STEPS...