Any advise for somebody transitioning from a performance style longboard to a traditional log?I’m interested in surfing in a more traditional manner and I would like to shorten the learning curve as much as possible- thanks in advance
…the best way to deal with a trad one is surfin like that, i mean, do the one leg drop knee for cutback, etc…
Keep you feet close together, MOVE back to affect turns, MOVE forwards to trim, cross step, don’t shuffle, cut down on vert off the lips, add trim and noserides.
Stand tall, smile, dump the leash, think little man on wheels…or upright posture with movement from the hips down…Style, don’t rip.
Any advise on getting better at cross stepping? I know practice practice practice, but perhaps you guys have some words of wisdom.
hi Smoothie ,
I sent you a private message mate . [Click on the above part where it says “messages” ]
hope it helps !
cheers !
ben
I know this may sound funny, but it is what I’m so planning on doing as I sometimes shuffle {more when I’m thinking about it} and others times I’m cross stepping {more so when I’m just reacting}.
But anyway, go find someone with a wave making ski boat and pay the $60 per 1/2hr and go ride far back on the wave or even the wash. You should get at least 15mins of wave time. That could be alot more depending on how often you fall… Next time you see Sonny G. ask him about surfing wakes.
Here’s a link to a small LQ wake surfing video I put together. This was my first time out, and we were on skimboards. I can’t waite to try the longboard, but farther back of course.
Think DANCE, as opposed to football. You’re styling, not trying to be a middle linebacker.
Posture is everything, tiny steps, make sure your board is heavy and stable. You can practice on dry land, just limit your steps to carefully orchestra’d size and location.
Quote:
Any advise on getting better at cross stepping? I know practice practice practice, but perhaps you guys have some words of wisdom.
Longboard skate helped me a lot with cross stepping. At first practice on flat land, then going downhill.
buy a board from a shaper who has a long history of making HEAVY ,traditional ,50/50 railed, glass on logs, tyler , webber, bing,etc… the list goes on…talk to your shaper and make sure you get the log that suits YOU best, dont be scarred of getting a longer board, this will help out in wave count, drive , and noseriding, BIG-TIME .dont make the mistake of waisting your hard earned bread on one of the “retro” looking boards, it has to be heavy , at least 20-25 pounds, this will make for a very stable board for you to walk all over-,it will rid you from the burden of shuffling , unless your " a bloody gimp." stay well clear of pop out surf-techs, they are way too light, unless your into tail riding=). with the flatter rocker, 50/50 rails and all that wieght , you got your self a pearling machine!!! so start by getting it dailed in,a small decal or mark in the wax, where you face lines up on you log while paddling will get your placement down in no time.it may be a big board ,but 2 inches makes a big difference. equipment plays a big part in surfing, if your serious about traditional log riding and or nose riding “small waves”, your going to have to be willing to give up some other aspects of surfing, floaters, busting air, and lip bashing are a few things traditional logs are not designed or meant to do, take that into mind no one surfboard can do it all,thats what short boards are for, i know i have a garrage full of those too,a “all-around” longboard design will get you by, but will not excell in the noseriding area.watch the other loggers that are kicking ass at your local break,look at thier equipment they are using, notice how well there placement right in the curl, provides the the best noserides.
I wasnt able to break my shuffling habits until i got a big heavy log.
My first log was too small - 9’6"x23x3 and I was 6ft and 100kg at the time. It was heavy (a good thing) and simply wasnt buoyant enough for me to progress. Kneel paddling was not an option - I could duck dive that board.
My second and still current log is 10’x23 3/4x 3 5/8. It kneel paddles nicely. It forces me to adopt a logging style as it simply doesnt react to the types of moves that a performance board would. You must be deliberate in your actions as it has some real weight and momentum. I broke my shuffling in about 2 months of riding this board.
Say to yourself: “I would rather fall off attempting to cross step than shuffle”.
Practice 1: Take off, bottom turn, take one cross step forward. Keep your knees bent!
Master this first. Then move onto back step to pivot turn.
There are these horizontal posts at the beaches around here that are harder to cross step on than on a board, so I have a little go on these before I go out…seems to help.
Quote:
Any advise on getting better at cross stepping? I know practice practice practice, but perhaps you guys have some words of wisdom.
Smoothie,
Make it a habit to cross step everyday, when your walking through a parking lot hop up on the parking curbs and cross step over a few. Any narrow area sturdy enough to hold you will be fine. The key to Cross stepping is good Balance, I helped myself wire the technique by crossing on my 5’ skateboard due to the forward momentum and side to side movements you will advance quickly when your not surfing. Plus all of the good advice offered by the others.
Cody
Per Mr. Mike Paler…“Bend zee knees”
Roger
Crosstep when the board is climbing back UP the wave immediatley after you initiate your bottom turn.
Your first step should be the instant you realease rail pressure from the bottom turn. But don’t rush it. SMOOTH…that’s your mantra!
NEVER look at your feet…NEVER look at your board. Your body goes where your head goes. Look down, you go down…look out to the face of the wave and sure enough you’ll end up right on the nose!!!
As soon as you feel the tail lose it’s grip whilst on the nose…trim back via a few crossteps…do bottom turn (prefereably of the drop knee variety) and repeat the process.
Go watch other surfers…forget movies. Go see the real thing.
Drew
the one important point…
BEND THE KNEES NOT THE WAIST…when crossstepping.