It seems as if here are commonality between at least half of these surfers: 1) back foot lands first, sometimes well before the front. and that foot is used to help push the front foot thru (even on Slater, if you look closely, his back foot still lands 1st). 2) hips twist to raise inside/rear hip 3) front hand (same side as the front foot) is usually well ahead of the "back" hand, and both hands seem canted in the same direction toward the inside of the board giving more room to swing the front foot through (eg, hands facing more left for goofie riders). 4) head/eyes facing down the line in direction they want to go 5) back arches and chest raises before the push on the hands 6) hands on board until both feet are placed, 7) stay low and crouched until that hands leave the board. i've thought a lot about this vid, and these takeaways have helped my pop-up immensely! it is not so much of a pop-up, but a quick powerful step up , and realizing that allowed me to keep in contact with my board, staying low and to be in the surf position once i remove my hands from the board. at least this is how it works for me. thanks Brent!

I think this video is one of the most helpful videos about proper popping up on youtube if you take time to really examine. My 2 takeaways from this amazing video... 1) back foot has to land first not only to create that 'jumping forward momentum' (if your front foot lands first, your weight distribution inevitably moves from front to back when your back foot lands..)but also to be compressed when you get on the board. This way you can start pumping and start generating speed from the very first second of your ride. 2) your hands don't leave the deck until your front foot lands so you always have that forward pressure until you are on the board. If you lose that forward pressure even for a slight second before you are on the board, you are gonna create drag and slow yourself down. Hence, you never jump up on your board, but rather slide up on your board. Maybe these are obvious facts to good surfers, but I feel like nobody directly tells you these tips and why they have to be done in such fashion when teaching how to pop-up on a shortboard.

Biggest thing I picked up from this that immensely helped my pop up: virtually all the pros pop up with their hands offset (frontside back is farther back). I've surfed for a long time and always popped with my hands next to each other, which makes it harder to get the front foot through on center. Thanks so much Brent!

what I love about this clip is you can see how top shortboarders adjust their back foot before opening up their turns.

Started surfing as a shy 13 yo girl- no coaches, nobody to give tips for improvement but still had fun and never knew the difference. Many years of trial and error to find what worked for me, but 48 yrs later it's harder to undo some of the bad surfing habits that are ingrained. Take-offs are a key area needing improvement for this 61 y.o. girl still riding shortboards. Great slo-mo in this video shows how far down the wave these guys paddle in before planting their feet- definitely something to work on. Appreciate the video-thanks.

dude. i have died waiting for a vid about this topic. my popup sucks and this is exactly what i needed

one interesting thing to note is how low their heads come down when paddling in. Only Gabriel medina keeps his back arched the whole time. For most people, on their last stroke, they drop their heads and chest almost straight down to the board. This helps to keep the nose of the board down in most cases. How much you do this will depend on your position on the wave and speed of paddling. Pop up is also angled to the right to get them going in the right direction - with hands also keeping extra pressure on the inside rail on the push up. Eyes are always focused on the next section of the wave. Once standing, the pros are compressed and immediately un-compress for a first speed-generating pump.

The one thing they all do the same is how they have there hands. None of them grip the rail! Many people, including me, have the habit of holding the rail as they try to stand. Thank you for this opportunity to see what the pro do.

The major thing that I’ve noticed is that they all have slightly different leg movements and foot planting, but they all grab the inside rail and place their outside hand on the top of the board. Can’t wait to try this. I would think this allows the surfer to micro adjust the angle of the board to prepare for going down the line. Also allows them to put more weight on the inside rail that is about to be engaged when the pop up. This could be a game changer for me! Thanks for the vid.

This is amazing footage and, in my opinion, the approach you take on this video is very valuable and not something I had seen focused before... I used to be involved in professional tennis prior to learning to surf and and I had always been flooded by millions of HD slow motion videos of things such as Federer's serve or Nadal's forehand (+100k results for each of these, for example), so it came to me as a shocking surprise that, when I looked for similar studies done with professional surfing in order to take a look at how the pros did it and try to realize what I was doing wrong and how I could do it better, I basically found no footage, especially concerning the pop up moment. I may be speaking for myself and others may look at this as something trivial, but I believe that these six minutes you brought before us are very rich in showing the fine details of how each surfer tackles this critical moment in waveriding and how they compare between each other, especially when the wave is the same for everyone. At the end of the day, this won't make me surf like Slater, but for someone like me, who never had surfing classes but instead got hold of an old beaten softboard missing one fin, pointed that thing at the shore, paddled like a maniac, tried to stand up, fell and proceeded to scrutinize what had gone wrong, wave after wave, session after session, trying to correct myself and improve out of casual feedback from friends and self evaluation, this is nothing short of pure gold and a tool that ultimately may help me improving my surf and result in me having more fun in the water! Thanks you very much for releasing this, man! :)

this is such a gem of a video ... thank you for the footage ... I refer back to this video so often. something I've personally been working on in my own surfing - and it's so beautiful to see it here in slow-mo - is the actual setup to their takeoff. before they even bring their feet under them, the projection (many use a subtle shift with their head), then setting their line ... this makes such a huge difference. the other thing I notice is that there's so much variance which goes to show that there are actually a lot of functional ways to get to your feet ... also that adjustments are important. great video - thanks again!

I've been looking for a video dedicated to just this. I noticed none of these pros grab the rail while popping up. I've got some adjustments to make. Thanks for the vid🤙🏽

Holy shit! Thank you so much. I learned so much from this video! I've done a lot of professional movement analysis as a snowboard coach, but found high level resources for surfers significantly lacking. I really noticed how every single one of these takeoffs demonstrated planting the back foot pretty intentionally first. I've always kinda focused on trying to get my front foot forward as quickly as possible, thinking that if it lands properly then my back foot should be able to fall into place, but it makes so much sense to slow down and simply do it in the obvious order that things are moving in. Also, it's like they're not doing anything more complicated than a basic "Aussie Walk" longboard pop-up. I've been over complicating this for YEARS! Thank you so much! :D

I gotta say this is great! Such an overlooked thing in surfing. The pop up and then your footwork sets up everything. And the different styles of hand placement. Grabbing both rails, grabbing one rail with one hand on the deck, or two hands on the deck. Great stuff!

This is very valuable footage. When I was learning/working on my popup I would spend a lot of time watching pro heats trying to analyze exactly how they paddled into a wave and popped up

This is literally pure gold. Thank you so much for making this! Why have I never seen something like this before!! I've been surfing for a decade and this is SO helpful because there's always that nagging thought that I _could_ be doing the pop-up better if I just got some technique when I mess up a few in a row. Especially how many variations you give: I can see what a good average is!

Been watching this over and over and it’s so helpful (video and commentary). I’m 46 and always open to listen and learn and being very new I’m grateful for having this explained. I’m going to watch this prior to paddling out as it helps with the mind and visual muscle memory. Remember to stay low, head down and hands and bit further up on the board - like the consciousness keeping the back foot hitting first (makes sense). Very appreciate you put this out - feels like I owe you something.

One of the best surfing videos on the internet. RESPECT! THANK YOU FOR THIS!!!!!!

This is sooo helpful. Most videos on popping up show all kinds of weird and different things that, after seeing this, aren't what the pros do at all and just make it more confusing. So good to see how they do it to have something actually useful and good to emulate and try to work toward.

Thank you !! I also have always wanted to see top pro surfers popping up in slow-mo too. This goes straight to my favorites playlist.

I love slow mo’s of the best pros surfing. I think it’s such a subtle art that they have uniquely perfected. I personally love watching entire waves surfed by them in slow-mo to see and study technique. JJF is one of the best at late take offs and watching him pop-up and see where on the wave he is and where his eyes are looking is incredible to watch/study in slow-mo.

Thank you for showing this! I've always been clumsy on take off. Something I need to practice more. So glad you posted this analysis. Thanks again!!😀

Awesome footage and comments! It really helped me see that they do not take off with their back foot already at the end of the traction pad, but instead they move it as they progress through the wave.. thanks mate!!

Love this content, nice work. Contests are an amazing source of learning as we see the pro's in more relate-able conditions.... even better in slow mo! I've done the offset hands thing for a long while now. I find it "automates" my hip rotation better.

Thnks for this footage, absolutely fantastic. The pop up is my biggest hurdle and your commentary and footage is a great help on technique.

Love this! Would love to see other videos like this reviewing various parts of surfing!

Much thanks!! I've been surfing for 40+ years and recently suffered a back injury that is forcing me to re-learn the basics. Frustrating as hell, but I simply refuse to quit-- or go SUP. Since I can no longer get away with anything other than excellent technique, videos like this are incredibly helpful.

Great video. All I’d say is that every one of these surfers still put the back foot on first (they just did it faster than others) and this is the best way to teach it to someone instead of just saying “pop up” If they slow it down and learn it in steps like your wonderful video, there’s no chance of picking up bad habits

I surfed a lot in high school.. that was 24 years ago! This video helped TONS!

For sure, one of the most useful videos I've ever watched on KZfaq. Thanks bro!

It's probably one of the main skills you need when surfing, without getting up you are a bodyboarder! Great vid.

Such an awesome video! Will watch this countless times! Thanks

very helpful. Thank you!! Super excited to ride tomorrow

OK, I "learned to surf" in California in... the late 50's... on inflatable rafts. Fiberglass surfboards came later for me, in high school in about 1963. We lived inland, in SoCal, so only got to surf on about every other weekend. THIS video is showing me things I should have learned all those years ago, and with your beautiful eye for detail including video composition and all that. A brilliant presentation -- thank you!

I have been surfing for more than 2 decades, learning in Hawaii and California, and I am still trying to get better every day. This video is one of my favorites ❤ 😍.

I keep coming back to this video. Thanks

i love this video. i've watched it so many times and will continue to do so. thank you for putting this together.

Finally a video about the one thing that matters most! Great video!

So cool! I have been looking for a video like that for a while! The only pop up videos I found were of people demonstrating a pop up on the ground in regular speed. This is 1000 better! Thank you!

The slow mo of the pros popping up is really great stuff...Thanks! You are right in that they never show the pop up on TV. I hired a lower-level pro as a coach for a day, and one of the tips he gave me was to place my hands with the inside hand back and the outside hand more forward (I had never heard anyone say that until I saw it on your video again). In this case, on rights the right hand is further back. On a left, the left hand would be back slightly from the right. His comment on this was that it helps set the rail in the direction of travel, and that equal pressure makes the board go more straight. I do think it also helps rotate the hips as you mentioned, and provides more space as well. All I know is that it help to improve my pop up.

Wow, excellent. Really helpful!!! Thanks for putting this together.

heck yeah man!!!! I love this! and totally agree! this is the most interesting and important part! positioning and taking off and generating speed as you do it. sooo key. with out this move you can not do much else. I love this video.

This angle view is so close you can absorb a lot of technique thank you man! Also I've always wanted to see pros carving or getting speed this close, kinda satisfied with the few frames after they stand up here, but would love a video deeping into it like this one, it's another curious maneuver not easy to fully understand its dynamics or do it properly.

Thanks mate this is awesome cheers for uploading. Think I'll be referring to it alot. Kelly looking the cleanest!

Am 37, surfed for 30 years and have been out for the last year due to back issues, herniated disc/sciatica. Having to relearn the pop-up. Great info!

Yasss! Finally! Been searching for a video like this. Thank you ✌

Been waiting for video exactly like this - Thanks man. Subscribed!

Great footage bro! It's really good to see some pros in slow motion. We get to see every detail. Something that is not available on live transmissions.

I’ve watched this at least 5 times as I improve this year and each time I notice more specifics like a great movie, rewind;)

Dude! This is such an amazing video!

This is great. I always feel cheated by the lack of pop-up action in most surf vids. I'm really interested in this because I'm nearly 60 and popping is becoming harder by the week. Anything I can use to slow my gradual descent back to being a kook is much appreciated . Thanks

This is a fantastic video. Your analysis is incredible and footage is beyond valuable. Well done. Great content

Needed this!!!

Just Wow. wow. Thank you. Awesome footage! The main thing I notice is how they all put their chin down to get the board gliding. It's all about getting the board planing it seems.

Really Unique and good!!! Thanks for the new take!

I've been looking for something exactly like this. Thanks.

Awesome footage man!! Thank you for posting that

Thanks man! I totally need footage like this to help learn.

Such a great clip. I watch this weekly.

Thank u for this Brent!

This video was amazing! Thank you! 🙏🤙 It’s important to not forget that those in the spotlight are very much pros/naturalists. They adjust accordingly based on conditions (wave speed, height, board length, etc) . I’m 33 and have been surfing for 25 years and have been an instructor/coach for almost 6 years - depending on situational factors, I know that I adjust my pop up on the fly either back foot landing first or both feet simultaneously. The board length has a significant role in the process. I am 5’9 177lbs. If I’m riding anything under 6ft I’ve noticed my back foot plants first, anything bigger than 6ft it’s almost guaranteed I get both feet landing at the same time. With the shorter boards it makes sense that the rear foot would land first - pressure on the tail/fins = stability allowing for that front foot(gas pedal ) to position proper and go. Again excellent video but, I do believe when dealing with some of the worlds most versatile athletes it’s important to know that they adjust their bodies accordingly and I do not believe they always pop up the exact same way. 🤙🤙🤙

Thanks for this Brent!

This video definitely served it's purpose thanks.

One thing I noticed from your great footage is the speed and power with which they all paddle into the wave. The faster one can propel himself before the wave takes over the better. It will keep you on top of the surface and stabilize the board making it easier to push off and balance.

So insightful! All looking own the line it seems

I adored this video! Thank you Brent! I am having pop-up timing problems, so this helps!

Love this video!🏄🏾‍♀️

Thank you so much for doing this! It's great to see the difference styles in slo-mo! Really great commentary as well! You might want to do another one talking about the few seconds after the pop-up where you start generating speed. I saw a lot of unique knock-knee and other stylish and not so stylish approaches.

Really like the breakdown in slo-mo, super dope footage!! Keep in mind that some of the difference in hand placement comes from going left or right on the wave. Typically you’re never paddling completely straight into the wave, it’s at a slight angle if not more(which can be seen in the clips) followed by establishing vision down the wave in the direction you want to go, helping you to rotate your hips around and plant your feet!! So may have the placement difference more pronounced than others, but I think the focus of left vs right hand forward depends on the surfers intended direction, positioning, and take off!! Loved the footage, nice job🤙🏼

Awesome, it helps a ton. I see the lift of the upper body as a key stage in the process. This makes it easier for the hips pull the legs up and gives the core muscles less weight. When a beginner or a goofball like me forgets this first step, my longerish legs get caught up. For the tall folks, this is key. Great to see the slow mo. I also agree that most surf shows only show carves and not hop ups, great job!

Thanks for posting, really cool footage!

Thanks for the valuable video. Looks like they all have a special way of popping up.

Great video! This is the first video I've seen where we can compare styles because the wave is the same! Well done! Can you make another one where you extend each clip a little longer so we can study their back foot movement as well as their pop up?

Great video, thank you!

That's why I like watching surf contest over movies : you see which wave the pros choose or let go and you see their approach and pop up. Nice video, thanks.

This was INCREDIBLY HELPFUL. Thank you!

Great video. I've been surfing my whole life and never used to think of the pop up move. Now I'm middle aged with chronic injuries (from too surfing ironically), and it's all I think about. It's the hardest thing to nail consistently. Once I'm up n riding, it's like riding a bike (you never forget), and I'm racing down the line... Thanks.

Thank you Brent!

Great video. As a somewhat older surfer on the Carolina Coast with hit or miss surf it is easy to get sloppy on my pop ups. Now I can get off the couch and practice with the pros so I can be ready for the next swell.

Gained a subscriber, thank you for the time and initiative you took to film and post

Thanks for posting this! I’m a beginner, and this analysis really helps.

Such a great video! Thank you man

I had a plan to make a video like this. You did it much better than I would have imagine. The pop up is super important. Thank so much

Thanks for posting, cool observations! Since the mid 90s when I was just learning, I've always wanted to see more pop up footie just cause it's something we can all actually apply...as much as we try and pretend to take mental notes on how to do air reverses and sit-up recoveries in the whitewater. How about some positioning, angles, and paddling stuff, esp in steeper waves. Not 10 foot pipe, but like little salt creek tubes or something? I'm still haunted by botched takeoffs from like 8 years ago on account of like a few degrees of angle or one stroke too few.

Great vid breakdown👌

Great video. Same - always more interested in the pro's pop ups.

finally thank you someone needed to do this good pics bro

This is a phenomenal video! Thank you Brent Rose. Think about it...if you’re pop up is decent that paves a stronger path to developing your other surfing skills. If you can’t pop up well then your surfing is drastically hindered.

thanks so much for making this video!! brilliant.

Awesome video, I'm always watching the pop up in the clips, assuming they show it in the shot. They all seem to be a couple inches further towards the nose than most people are comfortable with but there's also probably more rocker in these boards than the normal board in the lineup. Either way, great to watch in slo-mo. Bottom line here appears to be weight forward, head down, angle yourself down the line and dont grab the rails, hand plants on the deck. Thanks again, great video!

Awesome !! Whooop....learnin

Great descriptions

great video, found it very interesting, im 53 , my pop after 45 years of surfing is ok but hey can be tweaked still Im sure, was cool seeing the different styles even though only subtle differences.

This video is great. You can see that pretty much all of them place the back foot first and then the front, even if the timing is pretty close together.

Very helpful, thanks! Might be worth seeing in different kinds of waves also.

Great observations, was interesting to see not all surfers jump or pop both feet up at the same time. Also the fact about the hand placement one hand in front of another for some, I am a coach these are extra tips I can use.

Great video, thanks for posting. There is a common assumption in surfing that the "proper" pop up is one where both feet land precisely at the same time. It makes intuitive sense as it minimizes wobble, and prevents any loss in speed. But naturally I've gravitated towards back foot landing on the traction pad earlier than front foot, especially when surfing backside. Great to see it's a legitimate way to do it, as it works fine for some of the best in the world.

Thank you - I’ve been looking for slow-mos of the catch and pop...even a little earlier would be interesting

this was great. Thank you so much!!!

Nice put together