Yet another pop-up debate: To kneel or not to kneel

Whenever I think there’s nothing else that can be said about how to improve your pop-up, the internet proves me wrong. And that’s the beauty of having a weekly corner to discuss the horror of trying to stand up on a surfboard: we get to cover ideas from different sources that sometimes even conflict with each other.

Like this week—the case of whether you should use your knees during the pop-up.

🧨 The clickbait that got me

Controversy sells. And makes you click! So when I saw a post titled “The Truth About Using Your Knees to Pop Up”, I was there like swimwear. OMG. Someone heard my cry and has all the answers!

🤔 The case for knees

According to the poster, the advice we hear so often—“do not use your knees”—is not always helpful.
Let me quote: “In fact, avoiding your knees can lead to poor form, stalled boards, and hard-to-break habits.”

And I thought getting stuck on my knees was the hard-to-break habit. But what do I know.

🧎‍♀️ Why some surfers use their knees

The argument for using your knees is simple: if you can’t do an explosive pop-up, because of lack of strength or mobility, you start with two knees, then one knee, and eventually stand up. Your knees, in this case, are supposed to help you stay balanced on the board.

🌺 When it might work: Waikiki-style

You know what? This might actually work—on a super small, mellow day in Waikiki, where the surf is 0.5 foot and the wave doesn’t really “break” per se. You’ll have all the freaking time to go: two knees, one knee, stand up.

🏄‍♀️ Why it doesn’t work (for me)

But this is not gonna cut it at my local beach break, even on the smallest day or when practicing in the whitewash. If I end up on both knees, that’s where I’m going to get stuck. Been there, done that.
The board is gonna rock to hell and back—and if I somehow get unstuck, it’ll take me so long to stand up that I’ll never get to experience the joys of riding an unbroken part of the wave.

There’s just too much movement with all these knees, and the more you move, the harder it is to maintain balance.

🩼 When knees might be the right call

That said, I completely understand the poster’s sentiment: do whatever it takes to stand up—even if it means using your knees.

And this absolutely may be the best (or only) option for people returning to surfing after a break, an injury, or anyone with limited mobility.

🧠 Final thought

My concern is that getting used to relying on both knees—because someone said it was okay—can hinder your progress.

So perhaps it’s as simple as this:

It’s okay to use the knees, but it’s not okay to go to the knees.