Lesson Library

Explore surf lessons, coaching answers, live-session replays, and conversations designed to help you understand what to practice next.

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Stand Up Technique

Practicing Your Stand Up on Land

A private student of ours is just getting to the point in the curriculum where we start learning how to stand up after catching waves. This week’s video is what I sent her so that she could start practicing at home before we have our next session.

9 mins

Question, Stand Up Technique

How Do I Pop-up on a Smaller Board?

The Coaches answer Ben’s question regarding how to pop up properly on a shorter board, where your feet may not be able to touch. They also explain why standing up on land as practice is actually harder than when catching a wave, and how speedy pop-ups come from learning the technique and practicing it, rather than rushing yourself.

The links mentioned in the video are provided below:
The Perfect POP-UP!
Surf tips: Pop-up technique

11 mins

Stand Up Technique

Stand Up Technique Discussion

Coach Chris and Coach Evan dive into proper stand-up technique. The first video they’re talking about the possibilities of what can go wrong with your stand up technique. After we recorded it, Brian sent us a clip of his stand up technique so we hopped on another call to have a look and discuss it again while watching his video

29 mins

Stand Up Technique

Coach Chris’ Best Lesson EVER

Coach Chris recounts his best lesson ever with a student, and talks about how NOT standing up is often the best way to improve your stand-up. Coach Evan and Coach Chris also discuss their thoughts on the new rule at Cloud 9 disallowing beginner surf lessons.

29 mins

Question, Stand Up Technique

Mechanics of a Kick Out

Samuel is checking in with us to ask about the mechanics of a kick out, and if you know us even just a little bit, you know how much we value a proper finish to your wave with a good kick out (or even a beginner dismount). It’s a display of control and style. Thanks for your question, Samuel. Hope this helps !

12 mins

Stand Up Technique

Does Height Affect Your Pop-Up?

The Coaches discuss how pop-ups can feel more difficult for taller surfers, and how to overcome this challenge with a few extra tips and tricks. They also emphasize rail engagement as the top priority for any pop-up and analyze the pop-up technique for all surfers, short or tall.

14 mins

Stand Up Technique

Hip Mobility Exercises (for smoother stand-ups)

Joel wrote to ask about some tips for getting a little more fluid and mobility in his stand up. This is a common issue, especially for men, so I work through this question verbally and theoretically first, and then show Joel some of the things I’ve done and still do to keep my hips moving. It’s an uphill battle, especially if you’ve spent most of your life not working on your hip flexibility and mobility, but it’s never too late and a little work is better than none, so get to it !

14 mins

Question, Stand Up Technique

Improving Your Stand Up Technique

Cat’s question is in regards to her stand up. Without seeing or knowing exactly what’s going with Cat’s technique, Coach Ev and myself talk about our take on improving your stand up technique and some of the common things we see that keep it from being technically sound.