Turning 50 this year. and been surfing since age 13. My pop up has gone to doo-doo in the last decade or two. I knew my hips were lacking mobility, which prevents my front foot from getting far up enough on the deck when popping up on a shortboard. I’ve watcher Cris’ free content for a while, but finally decided to kick down some $$ and pay for the full program.

So far I’m really liking the joint protocols. I’ve always been a fan of tissue release, but never had it structured into a larger program like this. My assessments showed that I’m a bit deficient in ankle, hip (especially 90-90), and hamstrings. All 3 of them conspire to make my deep squat and my pop-up stiff.

I’ve done spidermans before, but the active movement with the cross-rotation really activates my trunk and hips. I’ve done inchworms before, but never like this: The emphasis on ankle & hamstring stretching while inching up is wicked and leaves me sweating and groaning. I like the 1/2 kneeling adductors too – trying to keep proper form on those is exposing more muscle imbalances and mobility deficits in my groin, hips and core.

One stretch I’ve added to the program on my own are seated and lying knee hugs. I can really feel the stretch on the rear hip capsule (glutes, piriformis, etc) and I feel are beneficial in conjunction with the foam rolling, band-assisted mobilities, and jack-knifes.

I also like the philosophy of relaxed pop-up technique. And the idea behind a walk-up that you’re “just getting up”. Just get up, which is what you might hear a naturally talented surfer with great mobility tell you. I really only started paying attention to technique after my body went to shit and it was no longer easy to “just get up”. I hope that this program will get me back to that flexible grom that can “just get up”.

Only 4 stars for now because I’m only 1.5 weeks into the program, and haven’t been keeping up with the full schedule. I try to do the joint protocols 4-5 days a week, and often only make it through one round of the Skill Practice & Mobility. And have only done 2 complete workouts with the strength and core rounds in that 1.5 weeks. I’m easing into it, but I hope to come back in a month or two with a Perfect Pop Up, on a shortboard, in the water. And I can leave a 5-star follow-up review!

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