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leucadia
surf school |
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learn to Surf e-Book online
| Stage 3. | |
| Standing Up | |
| Back on the beach... | |
| For a surfer, the feeling of standing and
surfing a wave can only be described as the "ultimate feeling".
Whether you are a beginner or experienced surfer the feeling is achieved
by standing on the surfboard and using correct techniques to benefit
from the natural power of the ocean. |
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| Every skill explained in the previous stages of this booklet is all about preparing the surfboard and yourself for the stand up. There are five key factors that will eventually help you achieve your goal of standing and surfing a wave all the way to the beach. | |
| First of all we will look at the correct style to use as a beginner while in the stand up position, secondly we will look at the techniques that will get you from your stomach to your feet. | |
| Coach's Tip | |
| When you are starting to stand and surf it is important to keep your head looking up and forward. If you find you are falling straight off the surfboard, you are probably looking down. KEEP LOOKING UP! | |
| Surfing Style and Stand Up Position | |
| When standing on the surfboard as a beginner
the dominant leg will be your front leg. What we need to work out
is if your front leg is the left (natural) or right (goofy). If you
have ever tried any type of boarding before i.e. snowboarding, skateboarding, wakeboarding etc you may know which way you prefer to stand, but, if you haven't, normally your strongest leg goes at the back. Stand on the board both ways and try to work it out, don't worry about it too much, you'll work it out as you progress. |
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| As we just mentioned your front leg will be the dominant leg, the first key factor is the placement of your footing. Place your front foot on the chest line and in a direction that goes across the deck, your back foot is placed so your legs are slightly wider than shoulder width. | |
| Second key factor is your knees, keep your knees bent at all times. This will lower your centre of gravity and assist you in keeping your balance on the surfboard. | |
| Thirdly you should push your hips forward to transfer your weight on to the front leg. Your back leg should dip in slightly to make your stance more comfortable and give you more style. | |
| These are the first three key factors, when you combine them all together you form a solid foundation to help you stay stable and get the maximum ride out of the wave. | |
| The fourth and fifth factors involve the upper half of the body and will be the major contributors to your balance while standing on the surfboard. | |
| The fourth factor is keeping your arms up, especially your front arm. Out stretch your front arm so you are reaching for the nose of the surfboard, your back arm should also be out stretched but don't worry too much about it. | |
| Fifth and very importantly, your head should be up and looking forward. If your front arm is up your head should be looking straight along it. Keeping your head up has been mentioned through all three stages and is a major contributor in you achieving the best result from your surfing. | |
| The five key factors to remember while standing on the surfboard are:- | |
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| The five key factors will give you the style to get the best out of your surfing at a beginner stage. But, before achieving this style you will have to get from your stomach to your feet, this is not neccessarily difficult but it may take time, patience and practice. | |
| There are two different methods of standing up - one is the "jump up"method and the other is called the "step up" method. The jump up method is more preferred as it gets you to your feet in one swift movement. The step up often gains better results for beginners who may not possess the body strength to spring to there feet in one movement. | |
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City of Oceanside License #103444 |