Want to learn how to longboard well?

Question

i have been surfing for two or three years now and im decent. ive mostly used fish, funboards or other shorter style boards, but really want to learn to longboard well. i want to learn how to cross step and noseride. im 6' 160 lbs and surf in pretty small waist high surf. Any tips and what board should i get?

thanjks

Answer 1

Technically speaking it has to be at least 9 foot long to be a longboard.  Since it sounds like you are looking for more traditional LB surfing stick with a traditional shape.  Concave nose, 50/50 rails, vee in the tail.  You can go either single fin or a 2+1.  If I were you I would go for something in the mid 9 feet length area to give you some extra stability for nose riding.  You will want a fin with a longer base to help keep the tail down when on the nose.  I use a 8.5" cutaway fin on my 9' noserider but I can't get all the way on the nose without it starting to submarine, just don't have a disposable cash at the moment for a different fin.

As far as practicing I use my indo board to practice cross stepping.  I put y front foot a little forward of the mid point and simply cross my back foot to the nose and hold for a few seconds and move it back to the rear.  They make a longer version of the indo board that you can do a full cross step on.

I have also heard that a good way to figure your board length is to make  a mark on the ground for your tail and lay down about where you would position yourself relative to that.  Mark you stomach position and stand up.  This should be about where you pop up to.  Take three small cross steps and that should put you on the nose, there's your length.  I just picked mine of the rack though

Answer 2

Surfammo gave you a good tip with the link to Longboard magazine. Modern long boarding is great. I ride both long and short boards, but being an old dude, I have a certain affection for the art of long boarding. I have a couple long boards, one is a collectors item, the other is a 9'4" Allison. There are some great long baord shapers out there right now. I really like what I see from Harbour and Stewart, but there are some great 'big name' long board shapers out there. I am partial to Allison, a N.Carolina shaper, he makes some really great modern longboards. My son-in-law has a custom 10' Allison that is fantastic.

Since I'm not sure where you live, it's hard to recommend something and be honest about it. Go to a good lcoal shop, and find out what the surfers there think is the best long board for your local conditions, that will fit your size, skill level and budget. Like everybody else in my era, I started in '66 on a 9'6" log, but modern lonboards offer a whole new experience. Check out your local shops, and get the right answer, and have fun 'hanging ten"

Answer 3

I believe that longboarding is an art. I've seen some really great surfers do incredible moves on a longboard. I understand what you mean about stepping and hanging. Go to several surfshops in your area and find out if any of the people are into longboarding. Get a few lessons. As far as board choice, you're light enough for a 9 ft. There are so many nice longboard makers, you'll need to find something to suit the waves you'll be riding. Your instructor can help you with that as well. Check out

http://www.longboardmagazine.com/magazin...

Answer 4

yeah if your going to get a long board you may as well get a proper one ie 9 foot or longer, cause you can have fun on the tiny day's, any thing shorter and you will sink to the bottom.

And if you want to turn the ******* thing, get your back foot back as far as possible ( more leverage ),  If you can master the long board, it makes surfing a gun a piece of p**s.

And as dumb as it sounds you can practice cross stepping on dry land on a plank of wood or something..When your surfing dont be temped to chuffle up and down, it is g*y.. You are better off to attempt to cross step and fall, till it becomes second nature.