Surfing Life

POP UP LIKE A PRO

"A'ohe pau ka 'ike i ka hālau ho'okāhi: one can learn from many sources."1 This old Hawaiian proverb reminds us that learning to pop up like a pro is accomplished in numerous ways.

A “pop-up”, also known as a “snap-to” or “take-off”, isn’t like its name suggests. Instead, it’s more of a “flow-through” as surfers don’t jump or snap into position. When a pro performs it—blink and we’ll miss it. Even in slo-mo, their tanned athletic bodies blur from paddling positions to that iconic sea-god or goddess stance while they’re gliding along the wave. This image has been devoured by surf fanatics (and non-surfers) for eons. Still, we never tire of surf clips with powerful waves—harnessed by perfect manoeuvres. Would these flawless moves be possible with an average pop-up, and what is needed to gain that smooth connective flow?

Depending on

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