How to Cross-step on a Long Surfboard

Surfers are generally categorized as either longboarders (those who ride long surfboards) or shortboarders (those who ride short surfboards.) While shortboarders tend to use a wave as a canvas to perform technical maneuvers, longboarders usually flow with the shape of the wave, fluidly carving up and down the face. One of the most basic, important and graceful longboarding movements is the cross-step. (This is written from a ‘regular footed,’ or right foot in the back, viewpoint. If you are ‘goofy footed,’ or stand with your left foot in the back, simply switch ‘right’ and ‘left’ in the directions.)

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Wait for a good wave; ideally, one that isn’t too steep or too big and peels (breaks) nicely. The size of a wave you ride should depend on how confident you are in your surfing abilities. Start smaller and as your confidence increases, work your way into larger waves.

2. Stand up on your board and begin to aim the nose at about a 45-degree angle away from the way (somewhere in between parallel and perpendicular to the wave.) You should be riding close to the top—or crest—of the wave with your chest towards the face of the wave. This is called ‘frontside.’

3. As the wave propels you, begin to bring your right foot from the back and cross over your left, as if you were stepping over your front foot, and plant it a little less than shoulder width from your left foot. Most of your weight will be balancing on your left leg.

4. Still on the wave? Great! Now, because this is an awkward position, as soon as your right foot plants on the deck of the longboard, swing your left foot around the back of your right (heelside) in an arc-like motion and plant it about shoulder-width from your right into your normal stance.

5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until you reach the nose of your longboard, then reverse your direction and go back to the tail.

Tips & Warnings

• Cross-stepping will feel very awkward at first. Don’t worry! It’s normal! Just keep trying.
• Practice your steps on the beach before venturing into the water, and focus on how your balance changes as your feet move and where they land.
• Make sure to keep your weight forward as you cross-step. If you lean backwards, the board will shoot from under your feet and you will wipe out.
• Surfing can be dangerous or even deadly. Please take all precautions and seek professional advice and training before attempting this.

[Rick121]

on 12/18/2008 This is a mindlessly simplistic explanation that doesn't address the central matter of "trim."