Noseriding - I NEED HELP!!!!

[scrubitkook]

Hey everyone! First post here. Been checking out this site for the last 6 months reading about noseriding tips. I'm a 35 year old surfer girl and have been surfing off and on for the last 15 years. My board preference has always been a 9'0 2+1 set up. I recently decided that I really want to noseride and change my "style" (not that I have much) to that of a more classic/traditional one. I found a great deal on a used Harbour Nineteen model (9'6") and have been trying to get to the nose with no success for about 6 months now. I feel like I've watched every YouTube video, read every tip and trick site, asked all the experienced surfers I see out in the water on the nose...and I just can't do it myself. I usually take two steps forward (cross stepping), then sink the board when I I try taking the next steps forward or fall off cuz the board is going so fast.

Is there a point in this noseriding game when one should just accept their defeat? Everyone says just keep practicing and I have been...just thinking this may never happen for me. Noseriding ain't easy, otherwise everyone would be doing it! Any advice is greatly appreciated - even the kind where you say "it's just not in the cards for you kid, move on!" Thanks.

[BoMan]

I usually take two steps forward (cross stepping), then sink the board when I I try taking the next steps forward or fall off cuz the board is going so fast.

I think you may not be locking down the back of your board before stepping forward. That said, Waikikiki Chan is the expert on this and here is information from his site that helped me a lot.

http://alohaki.jugem.jp/?search=noseriding

[waikikikichan]

and have been trying to get to the nose with no success for about 6 months now.

It took me 3 years of surfing almost everyday to learn how to noseride.

Is there a point in this noseriding game when one should just accept their defeat? Everyone says just keep practicing and I have been...just thinking this may never happen for me.

1st) if you can walk down the sidewalk without any outside aid, YOU can noseride.
2nd) practice doesn’t make perfect, practice makes permanent. The more you practice wrong, the better you’ll be at wrong.

I usually take two steps forward (cross stepping), then sink the board when I I try taking the next steps forward or fall off cuz the board is going so fast.

There in lies the major problem. You took two steps where ? In what direction ?

[scrubitkook]

First of all! Thank you! I have been telling those who've tried to offer advice that I don't just want to practice and get good at doing the wrong thing (which I think by now, I have!), I want to learn to do it the right way!

I usually drop in the wave, make my turn, wait for that locked in feeling (or my perception of it) and then take 2 steps forward down the center of the board. At this point, I feel like the board is going pretty fast so I stay there like a stink bug quickly trying to talk myself into taking two more steps to the nose (or close to it) and by this time, the nose dives because I've waited too long (maybe?) or I fall off because it's going really darn fast! Other times I take two steps forward and then two back. Mostly I spend a lot of time pondering my existence after I've taken the initial steps and that's that. For reference, I'm surfing a beach break (Huntington or Blackies).

[waikikikichan]

You have a mental block that you’re literally stuck on. You take two steps, then decide what to do after that. By that time, the wave had changed, the rail line has changed, the balance point has shifted. You need to get passed this two step mind set. How about 1 step forward then 1 step back, 2 steps forward then 2 steps back, 3 steps forward 3 steps back.
But all this cross-stepping / walking won’t matter until you figure out what you need your first action to be BEFORE you step forward.

[scrubitkook]

So true. I really do have a mental block after doing my 2 step. I feel really comfortable taking those first steps and they're usually pretty smooth. It's just breaking through that block and taking another step forward/backward.

Another question - I think my board is usually fairly parallel to the wave. Should it be more angled toward the beach (not straight, obviously)? Is there anything I can do to slow the board down so I'm not scared to move another step forward? Like I said, I feel very confident taking those first two steps forward but the mental block (and my perception of the board seeming to be going really fast!!!) stop me in my tracks...literally.

[tomthetreeman]

That’s what WKK is getting at... What you should be doing BEFORE you step forward. Going forward speeds you up, so I think you know the answer.

[scrubitkook]

lol yes, I realized that after my reply! Haha! I guess I'm acting before thinking! Just like my rapid 2 step before having a plan. So what is the best means of doing that (figuring out what to do before I do it)? Right now I turn into the wave, look for a clean face down the line, look behind me (sometimes) to see if the wave is curling over the tail of my board...then I walk my 2 steps...then FROZEN for a few seconds, quick pep talk (come on, take another two steps), then either nose dive or I dive. Repeat.

[tomthetreeman]

Watch the videos of good noseriders, they will go to the back of the board, turn towards shore & slow the board down, THEN turn, set the rail and step forward.

[surferbee]

TBH, noseriding isn't really my thing, but I do know that fin choice and fin placement are factors for noseriding. Generally (I believe), noseriding fins have more area, especially in the tip, to give more stability and hold when you're on the nose. Not sure what you're running in your 2+1 but it's worth mentioning in case someone else here has some insights on that. Also, the size of the fin and it's placement forward or back in the fin box will change the performance of your board and will also affect stability.

[scrubitkook]

Thanks Surferbee! I'm currently surfing a single fin noserider. The 2+1 set up was on my boards of the past! The fin that comes with my Harbour 19 is a greenough shape with a wide base and flex in the tip. I don't know what model it is, but it's made for noseriding. I am pretty sure my problem is my poor sense of timing and technique, which I hope to change. I only get to surf twice a week, 3 times when I'm lucky, so I guess progress is going to come at a snail's pace.

[waikikikichan]

I am pretty sure my problem is my poor sense of timing and technique, which I hope to change. I only get to surf twice a week, 3 times when I'm lucky, so I guess progress is going to come at a snail's pace.

That “A Ha !” moment could happen tomorrow. Then you’ll be wondering how you were so frustrated before.

[Tudeo]

I haven't figured out how to get to the nose of my 9'4 noserider also. But I'm not so focussed on getting there, I often stand in a stable cruisey position 1 or 2 steps short of the nose, and can still steer up and down to follow the wave.

But yes, all that fuss about noseriding has gotten to me too, so one day.. But still enjoying my rides from 2/3's so much, I don't want to risk it.

Also, I like using other boards a lot and recently got a 5'7 x 21" 'Groveller' to compeed my longboards for the smaller days. So maybe it's just a matter of spending more time on longboards for me.

..I usually take two steps forward (cross stepping), then sink the board when I I try taking the next steps forward or fall off cuz the board is going so fast.

This made me think about the dynamics of the ride, curious what Waikikikichan thinks of it.

When you put your weight forward the board wants to accelerate down the face, steering up the face would compensate that. So maybe it's all about finding a balance in stepping forward while putting more weight on the inside rail?

[waikikikichan]

I haven't figured out how to get to the nose of my 9'4 noserider also. But I'm not so focussed on getting there, I often stand in a stable cruisey position 1 or 2 steps short of the nose,

Chop off 6 inches off the nose or tail if your 9’4” and then you be right there ! But there is some truth to that. We all have a different gate/stride due to our various heights. I can perfectly step to the nose on my favorite 8’8”. Getting to the nose on a 9’6” feels like a marathon.

When you put your weight forward the board wants to accelerate down the face, steering up the face would compensate that.

Very good observation. But when on every wave you surf is your board pointed “up the face” without having to actually “steer”. A lot of noseriders use that moment/movement to lock down the tail.

[billie_morini]

thank you, waikikikichan! You always quickly dial into the nut or kernel and readily offer prescient insight without reservation. billie

[DG031]

Is it more difficult to cross step and noseride with a thruster set-up or I am I just making excuses for myself?

My board dims are 9x22 1/2x 2 3/4

[GlassyLinesMP]

Is it more difficult to cross step and noseride with a thruster set-up or I am I just making excuses for myself?

My board dims are 9x22 1/2x 2 3/4

That board is right at the small end for a longboard, which will make it harder than most longboards. The larger boards tend to be single fins, but I don't think it's actually easier to noseride single fins vs 2+1 if the boards were the same size. The 2+1 provides stability and slows the board at low speeds so it should be easier than a single fin which will tend to zoom off given half a chance and will feel more wobbly.

[waikikikichan]

It is not so much the Fin as it is the Locking down of the tail which is most important to noseriding, which the fin plays a part in. A lot that goes into a good noseride is the preparation and setup to let you begin to cross-step forward. Look at the movements in doing a drop-knee pivot turn versus a regular front side carve. It's a bit hard to do a front side carve on a Single, but comes naturally on a 2+1 set up or Thruster ( 3 fins of equal size ). BUT......... it is really hard or strange to do a drop knee pivot turn on a thruster when it feels natural on a Single. It's the way you need to finesse the tail into the curling lip. A single smooth things out because it forces you to. A 2+1 you got a little bit more room to throw things around.

[DG031]

Thanks, its proper thruster (3 equal size) a 2+1 setup.

[jaffa1949]

Just a quick definition on three fin set ups.
Thruster = three equal,sized and shaped fins but is not a 2+1
A 2+1 ‚is three fins with the two much smaller close to the rails they may be of different shape from the centre fin. .

Beyond this you can get weird asymmetric set ups , tunnel fins a lot of personal enhancement. no twin overhead foxtails though.