As the weary hands of time work their mischief on my joints, Im finding it harder to get to my feet.
Maybe its the arthritic toes, frozen knees, worn hips, beergut, weight gain, muscle atrophy, prehistoric age or just sheer laziness thats weighing me down.
Anyway I thought of making these pads so when I push down theres more room to get my feet under me.
Sure I could exercise more but that takes a toll on the body too.
I also thought of something with a spring maybe or a flip out hand lever thingy, or replace the foam pads with hollow carbon shells on each side? Lots of possible ideas...
I m sure someone else has thought of the foam deck pads years ago, but I thought of them today and short of bolting a Zimmer frame to my board, does anyone have any aids or gizmos to assist surfers getting to their feet?
Fish oil and yoga loosens you right up. You could always go the SUP route. Stay standing and you’ll never have a popping up problem to deal with. Of course, only problem is that you’re then a janitor.
How about a pad that elevates your chest, say about 4-6 inches, That would give extra paddle power as well as a head start for getting your upper body up to allow your feet to get under your body. It may well cut off access to the nose but may allow more waves and make it easier to get to your feet.
As the weary hands of time work their mischief on my joints, Im finding it harder to get to my feet.
Maybe its the arthritic toes, frozen knees, worn hips, beergut, weight gain, muscle atrophy, prehistoric age or just sheer laziness thats weighing me down.
Anyway I thought of making these pads so when I push down theres more room to get my feet under me.
Sure I could exercise more but that takes a toll on the body too.
I also thought of something with a spring maybe or a flip out hand lever thingy, or replace the foam pads with hollow carbon shells on each side? Lots of possible ideas...
I m sure someone else has thought of the foam deck pads years ago, but I thought of them today and short of bolting a Zimmer frame to my board, does anyone have any aids or gizmos to assist surfers getting to their feet?
Actually I have today shaped a board with these kind of "bumps" where the hands go when standing up! Also I increased the difference by shaping the deck concave.
With this improvements I measured an extra 1 1/2 inch for swinging my front foot to it´s place.
I came up with this idea when my back is giving me to much pain. (2 operated hernias in my lower back)
When the board is finished a will post some pictures.
Actually I have today shaped a board with these kind of "bumps" where the hands go when standing up! Also I increased the difference by shaping the deck concave.
With this improvements I measured an extra 1 1/2 inch for swinging my front foot to it´s place.
I came up with this idea when my back is giving me too much pain. (2 operated hernias in my lower back)
When the board is finished a will post some pictures.
[/quote]
Looking forward to seeing the pics!
I actually don't know where my hands are when I popup. Someone once asked do you grab the rails or just push off the deck - I really don't know! Today I watched this old fart knee ride the takeoff, then halfway through the wave he stood the rest of the way up - man, growing old bites!
I don't know why this would help, but when I started back surfing I had some problems with the popup, and using a balance board seemed to help me. I also started riding a longboard mainly for that reason - easier in, easier up. Once up, I'd like a bit shorter board, but when I go to a shorter board, my wave count drops.
A good read is Hucks's surfing over 50 a few pages back. As far as dry land pop-up's can't say enough their benefit to build a foundation to achieve your goals, it worked for me. Also search You Tube under surf lessons/pop-ups) for Vids to study several styles of pop-up's too. Consider baby steps, either you surf regular or goofy, see link, start out poping lead leg/foot on the board with the back leg down as practice/riding until you ready to use your other hand on the board to lift up all the way. Practice push up's, best to place hands below chest inside rather than on the rails, bring lead leg up with back leg down. You're practicing lead foot down, back leg down in crouch position, this will allow you water time, to practice timing and balance. After you have this routine down building up strength in your core/arms begin lifting front and back leg up. What ever method you choose that works for you, start out in baby steps, practice on carpet, I usually do 30 @ a time, combining steps into one fluid motion.
Laminated the deck today and the pictures shows the elevated hand rails and the concave of the deck. All in all i think with the difference of the board next to it which have a standard doomed deck, this solutiongives a 1" 1/2" inch of more clearence for swinging the front foot under the body.
I came up with the idea when my back more or less gives me so much pain i could not get to my feet. Eager to solve this problem i put two wooden pieces on the floor 2" 4" and did some dry pop ups. The difference is significant.
I think the hand rails will also add control to the take off and help the body keeping centred. Question mark is how will it feel to paddle?
You would be amazed how effective a bit of focus on technique and some work at home will have you popping up like a grom, I found as I got older by power style of popup was letting me down. A couple of weeks work on correct technique and I was more effective than ever. My focus was this, Bethany hamilton can do it in serious waves on one arm. you have two.
Firstly work on flexibility in your hips lower back and ham strings, just 10 mins a day when you are warmed up. Some situps 100 and some pushups 30 or so is all you need. The hurdlers stretch is ideal.
Technique: focus on placing you hands down lower towards you hips, try to get you front foot landing between your hands. As you start to pop up look to the right if you are a regular foot, this opens the shoulders and allows the front foot to come under your body . Try and think about keeping your back foot straight and only moving your front foot. Visualise your front foot landing between your hands as you practice…
Do this 20 times a day and you’ll find your your problems disappear or your money back
