Cross sepping in small waves

[Surfinggrrrl70]

Hello
I am trying to cross step in waves under 2'. When I stall my board to get to the top third of the wave, I end of stalling off the back off the wave
I have seen other surfers cross stepping on small waves. Does that just come with more experience? Is my footwork to slow? The wave to slow/small?

My only sucessful attempts have been on slightly bigger waves..

I ride a 10' Robert August nose rider. Been surfing for over 30 years, and now that I am retired and able to surf more, I decided to learn to cross step My board is epoxy, and pretty heavy for me ( I am 130. 5' 6") I also ride a 9' 2", but haven't worked a cross stepping much with this one.

Any Help Appreciated
Thanks
BA

[oldmansurfer]

How are you stalling the board? What technique are you using to stall?

[BoMan]

Take a look at this site managed by an excellent surf instructor. The link is sorted for "cross stepping" but you can search other topics by scrolling to the lower left corner.

https://alohaki.jugem.jp/?search=cross+stepping

[waikikikichan]

I am trying to cross step in waves under 2'.

Wave height sizing scale differs from place to place. surfer to surfer. Is this the wave height you're trying to cross step on ?

This is me on a small wave. The board I'm riding is a 6'4" NSP Fish. I'm 5'2" 125 lbs.

Screenshot 2024-07-03 5.45.46 AM.png (157.65 KiB) Viewed 699 times

[Surfinggrrrl70]

I am stepping to the back of the board slightly to stall

[Surfinggrrrl70]

Wakikicich. Yes that is size waves I’m riding

[waikikikichan]

I am trying to cross step in waves under 2'. When I stall my board to get to the top third of the wave, I end of stalling off the back off the wave
I have seen other surfers cross stepping on small waves. Does that just come with more experience? Is my footwork to slow? The wave to slow/small?
I ride a 10' Robert August nose rider.
I also ride a 9' 2", but haven't worked a cross stepping much with this one.

#1 What is your goal for trying to cross step ? ( I'm guessing to noseride due to the next question )
#2 Why are you trying to get the board to the top third of the wave ?
#3 Yes experience does matter. But Practice does not make Perfect, Practice makes Permanent. So if you are practicing "wrong", you get better at "wrong".
#4 Is your foot work slow ? I don't know unless you show us a video.
#5 People can noseride in slow/small waves, they usually can't get tubed or do airs in slow/small waves, that's why longboards excel in those conditions.
#6 Lay your 10" RA down in the living room or not the grass outside. Start from the base stance area, then cross step to the nose. How many cross steps did it take. Now do the same for your 9'2".

Can I ask why you haven't "worked a cross step" on the 9'2" ?

[Surfinggrrrl70]

My goal in cross stepping is to learn to cross step, not shuffle. Not working on nose riding yet. My footwork is slow, part of the problem. I practice everyday on a 2x 4 in my yard. I have tried cross stepping on my 9 ‘ 2”, but not as much. I bought the 10’ board for learning the cross stepping. Every instructional video I have seen says start your cross stepping at the top of the wave. Is that wrong for tiny waves? Thanks for your impu

[Surfinggrrrl70]

Also I am mostly riding backside. My main question is it easier to learn in slightly larger waves?

[waikikikichan]

My goal in cross stepping is to learn to cross step, not shuffle. Not working on nose riding yet. My footwork is slow, part of the problem. I practice everyday on a 2x 4 in my yard. I have tried cross stepping on my 9 ‘ 2”, but not as much. I bought the 10’ board for learning the cross stepping. Every instructional video I have seen says start your cross stepping at the top of the wave. Is that wrong for tiny waves?

#1 How do you know your foot work is "Slow". Look at the not so good cross steppers and how "rushed" they are. Then notice the good cross steppers that are "smooth".

#2 How are you practicing on your 2x4 everyday ? Which way are you toes pointed for the front foot and which way are the toes pointed for the back foot ( the one that crosses over the front foot )

#4 Those videos are telling you to be in the tip third to set up a nose ride. If you just want to cross step to move the balance point forward in the flats, that's fine. If you're coming up off the bottom turn, you can take a cross step to get the board to flatten out. If you cut back and need to push the nose down over the white water rebound, then take a cross step. You do not need to be in the top third of the wave.

If the wave is under 2 feet ( say less than 24 inches in height ), how are you determining where that top third is. Are you looking down to check ?

[waikikikichan]

Also I am mostly riding backside. My main question is it easier to learn in slightly larger waves?

Backside has it's plus and minuses in cross stepping. You're on your heels pressuring the inside rail instead of front side where you're on the ball and toes of your foot.

When you are going back side, are you "loading" the inside rail or walking down the center stringer line ?

"My main question is it easier to learn in slightly larger waves?" You need to slow down and not get ahead of yourself ( literally ). Big wave Small, Big board Small board all does not matter if you are not listening to the wave and cross stepping properly.

Can you post a video of you surfing ? That will help us to critic your cross stepping.

[Surfinggrrrl70]

Sorry no video. My cross step feels slow( and my partner says it’s slow). I actually hesitate sometimes, and causes the board to stall, or I get to far from the pocket. On the 2 x4 my front foot is on slight angle,back foot toes toward where the outside rail wound be. I usually stay on the stinger going backside or frontside. Good point about cross stepping in the flats. I posted a profile photo of I me on a average size wave. You can tell the size. Thanks again for all your help. I had a lesson from a friend a couple of years ago and it helped some. Mostly he told me to angle my front foot, bend my knees , and work on frontside waves (lefts) for me

[waikikikichan]

I have a great and easy practice for you to do in the water near the beach. PM me so I can tell you the "steps" to take.

I do not agree with the "bend your knees" advice. Soft knees, Yes.

Btw, in your profile photo, are you wearing webbed paddling gloves ?