# Struggling to get opportunities to pump off the back and connect waves

**URL:** <https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/struggling-to-get-opportunities-to-pump-off-the-back-and-connect-waves/2984>\
**Category:** Technique\
**Created:** [August 27, 2023, 4:32pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/struggling-to-get-opportunities-to-pump-off-the-back-and-connect-waves/2984 "2023-08-27T16:32:53Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 8

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**Author:** ![Matt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@Matt](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/Matt)\
**Post date:** [August 28, 2023, 7:45am UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/struggling-to-get-opportunities-to-pump-off-the-back-and-connect-waves/2984/8 "2023-08-28T07:45:02Z")

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Probably your local setup makes it tricky, I have the same issue with local spots and close outs, [discussed here](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/technique-advice-beach-break/735).

> [@seangalla](#):
>
> I can pump on flat water for 100m+ (letting go of a seadoo tow at 17mph)

The thing that caught my attention, your pumping is probably far worse than you realise. If you are getting towed up to speed on the ski on flat water you should be able to pump “very far”. The reason being that you are able to perfectly setup your feet, stay high on the mast, get the cadence right, test pump then let go of the rope. Pumping off the wave you are going very slow, feet wrong, sea is bumpy, you’re out of breath etc etc. Work on your pump.

Lift HA 150 ha x is certainly too high aspect for your surf spot? Can you connect waves on the 170? If not then stick to that. If the surf zone is choppy and aerated water then definitely stick to a medium ~7 aspect foil until you are linking. You need a 4x4 style foil for closeouts, and the 10.1 on your HA X is the opposite.

From another thread, useful advice

> [@A case for just getting used to what you have?](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/a-case-for-just-getting-used-to-what-you-have/2583/10):
>
> Common mistakes when learning to pump (especially for ex-surfers) include not kicking out early enough, **only kicking out once you’ve already started to lose speed** , pumping up and down instead of projecting forward, staying too low while pumping, and most importantly staying too low on the mast.

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