Surfing Waves

Although I've surfed off and on for years (9' 8" Harbour Banana), I've always shuffled instead of cross-stepped. I've been working on cross-stepping but my progress is slow.

My main problem is making myself go for it. I have the theory down: stall, turn, cross-step. I tell myself I'm going to do it no matter what, but somehow my legs don't listen to my brain.

I've only succeeded once or twice. My current strategy is to take two small steps. Should I first just try crossing and uncrossing?

Any other tips?

How long did it take you to get comfortable with it?

Thanks.

How ever long it took you to MAKE the habit of shuffling instead cross-stepping, will be the amount of time it takes you to BREAK that habit.

Banana wrote:I have the theory down: stall, turn, cross-step.

I’m thinking you got the steps out of sequence. Turn ( even Bottom Turn ), Stall ( to set up the Lock ) then Cross-step.

Banana wrote:My current strategy is to take two small steps. Should I first just try crossing and uncrossing?

First, think about WHY you want to cross-step ? What is the advantage of cross-stepping versus shuffling?
If you don’t have the “lock” down of the tail, will it matter if you cross step or shuffle?

waikikikichan wrote:How ever long it took you to MAKE the habit of shuffling instead cross-stepping, will be the amount of time it takes you to BREAK that habit.

Oof. I hope I can get it a little faster.

waikikikichan wrote:

Banana wrote:I have the theory down: stall, turn, cross-step.

I’m thinking you got the steps out of sequence. Turn ( even Bottom Turn ), Stall ( to set up the Lock ) then Cross-step.

Yeah, I didn't express it clearly. I do a carved turn so that I'm heading down the line. At that point, moving forward won't sink the nose.

I've been falling off the back of some nice waves because I fail to move forward. Sometimes I give up and go back to my shuffling, but that's probably counterproductive.

It's mind over matter. I'm also trying to make sure I have my knees bent. Some suggest just crossing one leg over then back, but I feel that if I can quickly get into my normal stance, just farther forward, I will progress.

Banana wrote:How long did it take you to get comfortable with it?

Three full years of almost surfing every day. But once I got the right tutelage and advice, then it finally “clicked” and then it became easy.

waikikikichan wrote:

Banana wrote:How long did it take you to get comfortable with it?

it finally “clicked” and then it became easy.

That's what I'm hoping for.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

Banana wrote:Some suggest just crossing one leg over then back, but I feel that if I can quickly get into my normal stance, just farther forward, I will progress.

Shuffling disrupts the smooth flow of trimming across the wave’s face. It’s a scoot forward a bit, bit by bit. Making the board accelerate, then pause, then accelerate again.

Do you think your theory of getting quickly back into your basic stance ( and standing there albeit a bit further in the middle of the board ) will help you be smooth or mainly make you feel “safe” for the moment ?

Nope, all you’ve accomplished is shuffling/scoot scooting forward but with a different step.

All I meant is that I wouldn't cross over one leg and stop there, leaving myself in a less stable stance.

I often talk to myself while surfing. Actually recent conversation regarding cross-stepping: "Okay, now's your chance ... why aren't you doing it!?"

Banana wrote: Actually recent conversation regarding cross-stepping: "Okay, now's your chance ... why aren't you doing it!?"

Okay, so your eyes recognized the wave setting up, and your thought was “Now’s your chance !” , but your body didn’t “do it”. If it were to “do it”, what should your first action be once your brain says “now’s your chance” ?

waikikikichan wrote:

Banana wrote: what should your first action be once your brain says “now’s your chance” ?

Move back foot in front of front foot?

I like this video, because it shows the problems that someone new to cross-stepping is having.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CHjSCmZDEfE ... 9wydelmdkr

Banana wrote:

waikikikichan wrote:

Banana wrote: what should your first action be once your brain says “now’s your chance” ?

Move back foot in front of front foot?

That is incorrect. What else then do you think you should do ?

Banana wrote:I like this video, because it shows the problems that someone new to cross-stepping is having.

I watched the video over and over several times, and I don't see a problem for her cross-stepping. She is doing the physical act of picking up her foot and putting it in front of the other. She even crosses back quite cleanly. If there is a slight problem, she rushes her un-cross back to her base stance. The most fluid timed steps was in the last shot.

You can cross step with the waves being that weak and small? I've been struggling to even stay balance and do anything when it is that size. Most of the time I don't even bother surfing if it's like that.

BaNZ wrote:You can cross step with the waves being that weak and small? I've been struggling to even stay balance and do anything when it is that size. Most of the time I don't even bother surfing if it's like that.

Depends, I usually use a 7'6 funboard for small 1ftwaves, but I've been during 25+ years. I might take out the center fin or use fish keels to help ease in paddle, but most use a longaboard and do fine. If you have a longboard try taking out the side fins when it's small.

Then again, if you weigh 120lbs you can pretty much stand up on anything LOL

waikikikichan wrote:That is incorrect. What else then do you think you should do ?

Text you for advice?

BaNZ wrote:You can cross step with the waves being that weak and small? I've been struggling to even stay balance and do anything when it is that size. Most of the time I don't even bother surfing if it's like that.

As long as you are going down the line, you can have enough speed, apparently.

Below are some more examples from my learning-to-cross-step video collection.

I got another cross-step in today when I was already in the whitewater.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CE8QEbNnGjH ... jpsc1cw61t

https://www.instagram.com/p/CE2ezb2DARJ ... 7mwbmgrq75

https://www.instagram.com/p/CE9oJvNpb4w ... zf4xnkzpsa

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFGB9WvDxfz ... njolvflvbn

Banana wrote:

waikikikichan wrote:That is incorrect. What else then do you think you should do ?

Text you for advice?

You are already getting advice from others and myself here.

Banana wrote:Below are some more examples from my learning-to-cross-step video collection.

In the videos I see cross stepping and noseriding ( and some tricks ), but I don't see and tutorial or advice on how to Cross Step being given.

But if so, how are you learning to cross step by watching those videos ? What are your take aways from each.