Mastering the Surfing Takeoff: A Guide for Beginners to Advanced Surfers
When it comes to surfing, the takeoff is one of the most critical skills to master—whether you're just starting out or you're looking to fine-tune your technique. In fact, even advanced surfers continue to work on perfecting their takeoff. Despite what you might think, the takeoff isn't just about going from belly to feet. It involves a series of movements and considerations, from paddling to positioning, that impact the quality of the wave ride.
Let’s dive into the essential steps to master the takeoff and avoid common mistakes.
1. Understanding the Takeoff Process
The takeoff is not a simple jump from prone to standing. It’s an involved process that begins with proper positioning and continues through to the pop-up. If you can nail the first steps, your entire surf session will improve.
Positioning: Before you even think about popping up, make sure you're paddling into the right section of the wave. You should aim to position yourself at the peak of the wave, where you’ll gain the most speed. The best place to take off is typically in the upper part of the wave, where it starts to break. In the beginner stages of surfing you may find this difficult as it relies on good momentum from your paddling. Over time you’ll likely progress from taking off in the lower parts of the wave to the higher parts of the wave, which is a great indicator of steady progression!
Paddling: Your paddling speed directly impacts your takeoff. As the wave approaches, ensure your paddling is strong and steady. Consider the final 3-4 strokes as most important; a balance of paddle speed and power should give you adequate momentum into the wave. Overpaddling too early is a common mistake that leads to fatigue by the time the wave arrives, so be calculated in your approach.
2. Perfecting the Pop-Up
The pop-up is the most critical and often the most difficult part of the takeoff. A good pop-up means you’ll transition smoothly from lying on your board to standing up, ready to ride.
Here’s a breakdown of how to do it:
The Initial Push: Use your arms to push your body higher on the board. This gives room for the front leg to swing through into position. Simultaneously, you’ll want to pike the hips up behind you.
Activate Your Core: Once the arms push you up, your core and lower abdominals should engage, lifting your hips to allow the front leg to come through. In the beginning, you can practice the pop-up in two phases: first the front foot, then the back foot.
Keep Your Back Leg Low: Keep your back knee close to the board, allowing your body to stay low and stable. This helps you maintain control, especially when you begin to turn after standing.
For added control, practice popping up in slow, controlled movements to build confidence and strength. Regularly practicing yoga poses that mirror the takeoff movement, like the plank, downward dog, and low lunge, will help improve your mobility and core strength.
3. Common Beginner Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced surfers make mistakes when it comes to takeoffs. Let’s break down some of the most common errors:
Mistake #1: Rushing the Pop-Up
Many beginners try to rush their pop-up, causing them to lose balance. The trick is to take a brief pause before popping up to give yourself a moment of control. Think of your pop-up like a smooth slide rather than a jump.
Mistake #2: Poor Positioning
Getting into the right position on the wave is key. Ensure you're paddling into the wave at the correct angle and aiming for the peak. Many surfers paddle too slowly or too much at an angle, which can lead to missed waves or an unstable takeoff.
Mistake #3: Lack of Core Engagement
A weak core can make it difficult to control your board, especially during takeoff. Engaging your core is essential for staying steady and maintaining speed on the wave.
4. Focus on Your Eyeline
Where you look is where you go in surfing. Many beginners keep their eyes glued to the board or the water directly in front of them during the takeoff. This can result in poor body positioning and a lack of control.
Instead, keep your eyes up and look down the line of the wave as you pop up. By focusing on the direction you want to go, your body will naturally align with that path. This simple adjustment will improve your ability to steer the board and ride the wave with more confidence.
5. Building Strength for Better Takeoffs
Surfers with better physical conditioning tend to perform smoother, more efficient takeoffs. Incorporate exercises like planks, push-ups, and leg lifts into your routine to build the core and upper body strength needed for a stable pop-up.
If you’re finding that you don’t have enough space for your front foot to come through during the pop-up, you might need to work on your core strength and hip mobility. Practicing movements that mimic the pop-up on dry land can help strengthen those areas.
6. Practice Makes Perfect
The best way to improve your takeoff is to practice, practice, practice. Every time you’re out in the water, focus on the little details: your paddling technique, your positioning, and your pop-up form. Even if you don't get it right on your first try, the more you do it, the better you’ll become.
Many of these skills and points are covered in much more detail, with visual help, inside The Surfer’s Roadmap online programs. The Surfer’s Roadmap, with over 10,000 students, is the world’s largest and most effective online surf training program. Check it out here.