Standing up on a surfboard for the first time is one of the most exciting and unforgettable moments in any surfer’s life. It is the moment everything clicks — the wave, the board, your body — and you experience the pure joy of riding the ocean for the very first time. But getting to that moment takes a little preparation, practice, and the right technique. In this guide, we will walk you through exactly how to stand up on a surfboard, step by step, so you can make the most of your first surf experience in Essaouira, Morocco.
Why the Popup is So Important
The popup — the movement of going from lying on your board to standing up — is the single most important skill in beginner surfing. Everything else depends on it. If your popup is slow, unbalanced, or poorly timed, you will fall off the wave before you even get a chance to ride it. If your popup is smooth, quick, and well-executed, you will find yourself standing up and riding waves much sooner than you might expect. The good news is that with the right technique and a little practice on the beach before you get in the water, most beginners are able to stand up on their very first lesson.
Before You Get in the Water — Practice on the Beach
The most important thing you can do before attempting to stand up on a surfboard in the water is to practice your popup on dry land. This is something all our instructors at Naneasurf do with every student before their first lesson, and it makes a huge difference. Here is how to practice on the beach:
- Place your surfboard flat on the sand.
- Lie down on the board in your surf position — chest up, hands flat beside your chest, toes touching the tail of the board.
- Practice the popup movement repeatedly until it feels natural and fluid.
- Focus on speed and smoothness — the popup should be one single explosive movement, not a series of small steps.
- Check your foot position every time you land — are your feet in the right place? Are your knees bent? Is your weight centered?
Do this at least ten to fifteen times on the beach before getting in the water. It might feel silly practicing on the sand, but this preparation is what separates surfers who stand up on their first wave from those who struggle for the entire session.
Step by Step — How to Stand Up on a Surfboard
Step 1 — The Starting Position
Before you even think about standing up, you need to make sure you are in the correct starting position on the board. Lie flat on your stomach, centered on the board from left to right. Your chest should be slightly raised, with your hands placed flat on the board directly beside your lower chest — similar to the position you would be in at the bottom of a push-up. Your toes should be just touching or just above the tail of the board, and your legs should be together and relaxed.
Your position on the board from front to back is also critical. If you are too far forward, the nose of the board will dig into the water when the wave pushes you. If you are too far back, the tail will drag and slow you down. Finding the sweet spot in the middle is key, and your instructor at Naneasurf will help you find the right position for your body on your specific board.
Step 2 — Start Paddling
When you see a wave approaching from behind, start paddling toward the shore with strong, committed strokes. This is not the time to paddle gently — you need to match the speed of the wave to get picked up by it. Keep your head up, look toward the shore, and paddle as hard as you can. Most beginners do not paddle hard enough when catching a wave, and as a result the wave passes underneath them without picking them up. Commit to the paddle and the wave will do the rest.
Step 3 — Feel the Wave Pick You Up
As the wave reaches you and starts to push the tail of your board forward, you will feel a sudden surge of speed and momentum. This is the moment you have been waiting for. Give two or three more strong paddle strokes to fully commit to the wave, then prepare to popup. Timing is everything here — pop up too early and the wave will not have picked you up yet. Pop up too late and the wave will have already passed you by. With practice, you will develop a feel for exactly the right moment to make your move.
Step 4 — The Popup
This is the key moment. The popup should be one single, explosive, and fluid movement — not a series of small steps. Here is exactly how to do it:
- Push your upper body up with both hands simultaneously, just like the beginning of a push-up.
- At the same time, bring both feet forward under your body in one quick movement. Your front foot should land roughly in the middle of the board, and your back foot should land near the tail.
- Do not put your knees down on the board first — this is one of the most common beginner mistakes and makes it much harder to complete the popup smoothly. Go directly from your stomach to your feet in one movement.
- As soon as your feet land on the board, bend your knees deeply to lower your center of gravity and improve your balance.
- Extend your arms out to the sides — like an airplane — to help you balance on the wave.
- Keep your eyes looking forward toward the shore, not down at your feet.
Step 5 — Your Foot Position
Where you place your feet on the board when you stand up is absolutely critical for your balance and control. Here is what you need to know about correct foot position:
- Front foot: Should be placed roughly in the middle of the board, pointing slightly forward at about a 45-degree angle to the stringer — the central line running down the middle of the board.
- Back foot: Should be placed near the tail of the board, perpendicular to the stringer — pointing directly out to the side of the board.
- Width: Your feet should be approximately shoulder-width apart for maximum stability and balance.
- Weight distribution: Keep your weight evenly distributed between both feet, slightly favoring the back foot to keep the nose of the board up and prevent it from diving into the water.
Step 6 — Your Body Position
Once you are on your feet, your body position is what will keep you balanced and in control on the wave. Here are the key points to focus on:
- Bend your knees: This is the single most important thing to remember when standing on a surfboard. Bent knees lower your center of gravity, absorb the movement of the wave, and make it much easier to balance. Straight legs are the number one cause of falling for beginner surfers.
- Keep your back straight: Avoid hunching forward or leaning too far back. Try to maintain a tall, upright posture with a slight forward lean from the hips.
- Extend your arms: Hold your arms out to the sides at roughly shoulder height. This acts as a natural balancing mechanism and helps you stay stable on the moving board.
- Look forward: Always keep your eyes looking toward the shore in the direction you are traveling. Looking down at your feet is one of the most common beginner mistakes and almost always results in falling.
- Relax your upper body: Try to keep your shoulders, arms, and upper body relaxed. Tension in your upper body makes it harder to balance and react to the movement of the wave.
Common Mistakes Beginners Make When Standing Up
Understanding the most common mistakes will help you avoid them and progress much faster. Here are the things to watch out for:
- Going to your knees first: Many beginners instinctively drop to their knees before trying to stand up. This makes the popup slower and more difficult. Always go directly from your stomach to your feet in one movement.
- Looking down at your feet: This shifts your weight forward and almost always causes you to fall. Keep your eyes looking forward at all times.
- Standing up too straight: Forgetting to bend your knees is one of the most common and most costly mistakes in beginner surfing. Always bend your knees as soon as you stand up.
- Incorrect foot position: Placing your feet too close together, too far apart, or in the wrong position on the board will make balancing much harder. Practice your popup on the beach to make sure your feet always land in the right place.
- Not paddling hard enough: If you do not paddle with enough commitment and speed, the wave will pass underneath you and you will never get to practice your popup. Always paddle hard and with full commitment when catching a wave.
- Tensing up: Fear and tension are natural when you are learning something new, but tensing up your body makes it much harder to balance on the board. Take a deep breath, relax your muscles, and trust the process.
- Giving up after falling: Every surfer falls — it is a completely normal and essential part of learning. The surfers who progress the fastest are the ones who fall, get back on the board, and try again immediately without letting frustration take over.
Regular vs Goofy — Which Foot Goes Forward?
One of the first things you need to figure out as a beginner surfer is your stance — which foot goes at the front of the board. There are two options:
- Regular stance: Left foot forward. This is the most common stance and feels natural for most right-handed people.
- Goofy stance: Right foot forward. This is the preferred stance for many left-handed surfers, though plenty of right-handed surfers surf goofy too.
Not sure which stance is yours? Here is a simple test — stand normally on flat ground and ask someone to give you a gentle push from behind. Whichever foot you instinctively step forward with to catch your balance is most likely your front foot on the surfboard. You can also think about which foot you lead with when you kick a ball or walk up stairs — this is usually a good indicator of your surf stance.
How Many Lessons Does It Take to Stand Up?
Most beginners are able to stand up on the board and ride their first wave within their very first surf lesson. However, doing it consistently, with good technique and in a variety of wave conditions, takes more time and practice. Here is a general guide to what you can expect:
- First lesson: Most beginners stand up on the board and ride whitewater waves for the first time.
- After 2 to 3 lessons: The popup starts to feel more natural, foot position improves, and you begin to feel more comfortable and balanced on the board.
- After 5 to 10 lessons: You are consistently catching waves, your popup is fluid and automatic, and you start to feel the natural flow of riding a wave.
- After several weeks or months: You begin to develop a feel for the ocean, start catching unbroken waves, and experiment with basic turning and direction changes.
Learn to Stand Up on a Surfboard in Essaouira with Naneasurf
At Naneasurf, helping beginners stand up on a surfboard for the very first time is one of our greatest joys. Our certified and multilingual instructors have helped hundreds of people from all over the world experience the magic of riding their first wave on the beautiful beaches of Essaouira, Morocco. We offer:
- Private Surf Lessons: One-on-one coaching for the fastest progress. Your instructor will be by your side every step of the way, giving you personalized feedback and encouragement.
- Semi-Private Surf Lessons: Perfect for couples or friends who want to learn together and share the experience.
- Group Surf Lessons: A fun and social way to learn, with a maximum of 4 students per instructor to ensure everyone gets plenty of attention and water time.
All lessons include a high-quality soft board and wetsuit, and take place on the most beginner-friendly beaches in Essaouira. Our instructors will make sure you practice your popup on the beach before getting in the water, give you real-time feedback during your session, and celebrate every single wave you ride — because every wave counts.
Standing up on a surfboard for the first time is a moment you will never forget. With the right technique, the right board, and the right instruction, it is something that almost anyone can achieve on their very first lesson. Remember to practice your popup on the beach before getting in the water, commit fully to every wave, bend your knees when you stand up, and most importantly — have fun and enjoy every single moment of the experience. The waves of Essaouira are perfect for learning, and the team at Naneasurf is here to help you every step of the way. We cannot wait to see you standing up and riding your first wave on the stunning Atlantic coast of Morocco!
