Josh Kerr teaches the fundamental surfing takeoff, a very basic part of surfing that still presents issues for many experienced surfers. The tutorial focuses on the correct eye position, executing the pop-up in one efficient motion, and trusting your body to follow your momentum down the line.
Key Takeaways & Tips
Eyes Lead the Direction
When standing up, your eyes must immediately transition to **look straight down the line**. This takes the focus off the bottom of the wave and gets your body momentum to face the direction you want to go [2:17].
The One-Motion Pop-Up
The pop-up should be a **one-move motion**. You should not get your knees onto the board and then get up. Instead, give the pop-up a good push, getting your front leg underneath you right underneath your chest [2:42].
Foot Connection
Your back foot should make connection with the back part of your stomp pad (or back part of your board) as you are getting up [2:28].
Trust Your Feet
You will be surprised how your feet will naturally go to the right spot on your board if you are just **trusting** where your eyes and your body are going [4:06].
Practice
Practice the one-motion pop-up on the ground, on a couch, or with a cushion. Always ensure that when you practice, you are getting your eyes away from where you are taking off [3:55].
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Looking Down at the Bottom
Looking straight down at the bottom of the wave on a steep takeoff is a common mistake. You are going to go where you are looking, which means you are going to go dead straight and you will nose dive more often than not [2:10].
Overthinking the Pop-Up
Overthinking the takeoff can cause issues even for very experienced surfers. The goal is efficiency, simplicity, and trusting the board to follow the body’s momentum [0:33].
Two-Motion Pop-Up
Using two motions (knees first, then up) breaks the momentum needed to successfully set your line and drive down the wave face.