Here’s how to fix your poo stance for good

We have covered the poo stance before, in our Word of the Week, but it was short, and it deserves so much more attention, so you can fix your poo stance for good. Also, we just like saying: 💩.

🚽 What even is a poo stance?

Some say it’s a cardinal sin. Some say it’s no big deal. But let’s be honest: a poo stance is not an aspirational stance.

You know it when you see it—or feel it. Knees too bent, too far apart, bum hanging low. You look like you’re about to go. 🚽

In today’s episode, we’re talking about why it happens, what it means, and how to fix it—without losing your stoke or your dignity.

👀 The purest form of poo

It’s not a pretty sight, is it? You can observe a poo stance in its purest form when watching first-time learner surfers in the whitewater. And honestly, I would not expect anything less. Or is it expecting anything more?

Why? I’ll tell you for why.

Do you remember your first lesson? I do! And how much time your instructor dedicated to showing you how to pop up. I bet you they didn’t spend much time on how to actually stand after you’ve popped up.

That’s because some instructors guarantee you a pop-up in your first lesson. No one guarantees that you will not look like you’re just about to go number two once you’ve popped up.

🧍‍♀️ How you’re actually supposed to stand

Before we indulge in the fixage of your poo stance, we all know how to stand on a surfboard, right?

Feet at shoulder-width apart. Both feet should be placed in the middle of the board. If your board has a stringer, it should cut your soles in half.

If you’re regular, your left foot will be the front foot; if you’re goofy, your right foot.

Your front foot is at about a 45-degree angle, and your back foot is perpendicular to the stringer. Your front knee is facing forward, and your back knee is not going all squatty-squatty and out, but slightly in.

Core engaged, chest proud, arms relaxed over the rails of the board. And looking where you want to go!

🥋 The 80s martial arts analogy you didn’t assk for

I was going to make an analogy between a surfing stance and a martial arts fighting stance, but I’m afraid it’s going to confuse things since the feet placement differs majorly.

Oh to hell with it. Here it goes anyway.

Have you ever watched Enter the Dragon, Karate Kid, Bloodsport, or Kickboxer, or any martial arts movie for that matter? The heroes are always so nimble and fluid and ready to kick Dolph Lundgren in the face (he’s the actor from the ’80s who played token baddies at the very beginning of his career).

But Zuz, I don’t get it. Why do you even bring up the martial stance if it’s about power and stability, and the surfing stance is all about balance and flow?

Three reasons.

One is that in both stances, your knees are bent—but not locked. There’s movement allowed, damnit. Lock your knees and guess what? Ralph Macchio would get his ass kicked properly by William Zabka, in the original Karate Kid.

And two—it’s about the expectation. In martial arts, the stance is the beginning of a fight or kata (a structured sequence of movements you usually perform solo). In surfing, it’s not the end of your pop-up—it’s the beginning of your ride. And that ride is all about movement!

And reason number three—as a former Kyokushin karate-ka (9th Kyu thankyouverymuch), this comparison helps me personally. Plus, I just love bringing up ’80s martial arts movie references. Thank you for indulging me.

🧘 Back to fixing your poo stance

You pop up and you forget everything I’ve just told you about a proper stance.

You’re immediately trying to overcompensate for balance. You’re locking yourself into a rigid position instead of flowing. You are frozen, readying to defend yourself—when you need to be ready to attack attack attack!

I knew I needed that martial arts stance analogy for a reason.

🛠️ Practical fixes you can do on land

Foot placement
Make sure both feet are centered on either side of the stringer. Tape down two crosses on the floor slightly wider than shoulder-width and practice landing your pop-up. You can step into your pop-up if jumping is too much.

Back knee in, not out
Think “pull it under you,” not “squat wide.”

Lead with your back, not your knee
Point it where you want to go. It helps re-center your weight and reduces that saggy bum effect.

Square your body
Keep your shoulders perpendicular to the board. This helps your back knee naturally pull in and keeps your stance compact.

Engage your core
When they say in the gym: “engage your core and tuck the pelvis” I immediately feel nauseous from overthinking. But I heard someone call it “pushing the bush,” and it all made sense. So do that.

Arm position
Keep both arms loosely in front like you’re about to signal “and what do you want me to do about this?”

Loosen up
Foam roll or stretch your hips and quads if they feel tight.

🧠 And now forget everything I said

Don’t overthink it in the water. Surfing is feel-first.

There are some pro surfers like Sally Fitzgibbons or Gabriel Medina who look very boxy on their boards, but they’re still super fluid and tension-free.

If it works for you and you’re progressing—all good then.