Once you've made all of your initial preparations, you've still got some work to do before you can paddle out for your first session. On the beach, we recommend that you practice a land simulation of the pop-up, which is the transition from your stomach up to your position stance. The pop-up is an essential fundamental for any beginner. It's the link between bogging around on your belly and walking on water. The pop-up should be practiced as follows:

1. Draw a line in the sand to reference the stringer, or the wood-lined center of your surfboard.

2. Lie on the line with your hands back behind the shoulders.

3. Place hands flat on the sand and align them with your chest as if you were doing a push-up. When you're on the board, your hands should be flat on the deck as opposed to wrapped around the rails.

4. Arch your back and push up as your feet come up beneath you in one motion. Avoid looking down as this will leave you hunched over. Instead, try and look ahead. Your stance should be just a little wider than your shoulders. Your knees should be bent without letting your midsection stick out.

5. When you're in your position stance, your front foot should be sideways, turned out a little bit, with the arch of your foot centered over the stringer. Your back foot should also be sideways, but not quite as turned out. It doesn't matter what foot you put forward, but you should pick one and stick with it if you want to learn faster. Figure out what feels most natural and go with it. If you stick your left foot forward, you're a regularfoot -- the stance of six-time world champion Kelly Slater. If you stick your right foot forward, you're known as a goofyfoot. Don't despair, though: one of the most powerful surfers of all-time, Tom Carroll, surfed with his right foot forward.

6. If you have trouble with the pop-up, try the above steps while pushing up on two bricks. The elevation will help you get your front foot up and underneath you.

Once you've got a decent handle on the pop-up, it's time to choose your lineup strategy. Scan the surfing area and pick the right spot to paddle out. Avoid paddling out in the middle of a group of surfers unless that is the only option. Look for rip currents, submerged rocks, etc. Pick an area that has a clearly marked lineup of slow-rolling waves with the minimum amount of potential hazards. Above all else: surfing is supposed to be fun. Enter the water in a pleasant, relaxed state.

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