For a surfer, it’s not enough that you know how you can trip the influx. Inside, you have been researching for the day once you finally mastered the surf with a virtuoso performance that Kelly Slater could be happy with. What a marvelous way to spice up your browse time rather than to figure out how to sinuses ride and in order to cross stride?
Let Mickey Muñoz, Julie Cox and Robert “Wingnut” Weaver talk about a thing or two to be able to learn nose riding and cross stepping.
Nose Riding
As outlined by Matt Warshaw in his book, “The History of Surfing”, “Noseriding wasn’t identified as a maneuver until the early 1950’s, after the surfboard fin had grown big enough to really anchor the tail.”
Supposedly, the fin is responsible for steadying your board as you weave through the waves. The more stable your fin is, the more likely that you’ll be able to steer your board on the front end. Excellent surfers think that finding out how to nose ride is the path to surf supremacy!
Why is it that? Well, it will take many years to get the job done also it takes much more than sheer athleticism to ultimately manage your board on the front more than most surfers.
Noseriding is described as a trick that requires controlling your board by “cross stepping” or shuffling away from your original position on the backside heading to the frontside. You could make it to the front side by either crouching low and extend your foot to the nose or make little steps up to the front. Nose riding can be a tough and tricky because you have to watch out for waves that are coming at you and also to learn how to balance yourself.
In an interview with Bob Howard, surfing superstar Mickey Muñoz gave some pointers on how to become a better noserider. Here’s an excerpt:
“To learn to noseride repetition is probably the number one thing you need. Lots of time in the water. Obviously, the equipment has a lot to do with it, but it is so individualized and particular to a given break that it is difficult to make general statements about equipment. But there are some specific things you can do.
Surf with people who are better noseriders than you are, and glean as much information as you can from them. Discuss the break and how they noseride it. Find out what they like about the board they ride there. Try their board and lots of others, and see what works best for you. Just get out there and noseride. over, Practice and over, the same maneuver until you learn that it is just plain impossible — or until you figure it out. Repetition–it’s getting out and trying. If you haven’t fallen off or wiped out you haven’t learned anything. Mistakes are part of learning. Repetition allows you to practice at a maneuver till you master it.”
Near the end of the interview, he shared key points worth noting:
“ You have to learn how to visualize it happening, in your own mind. And of course it takes time in the water. Again, there is no substitute for time in the water. Time in the water gives you conditioning for your body, mind and reflexes. I mean knowledge of when to try, and when not to try, a noseride by mind. You can go to the gym, use a balance board, watch videos, but there is nothing quite as satisfying as pulling some warm sand up under your chin and just lying there on the beach watching a David Nuuhiwa or a Joel Tudor noseride.
Visualize yourself doing those same maneuvers. See it in your mind. Then go out there and try to emulate them! And again, talking with people who are better than you really helps. Surf with people who are better noseriders.”
Cross stepping
Surfing is an extremely awesome sport because each step is a trick by itself. Look at the cross step, a technique for reaching your board’s nose by alternately crossing your back and front foot forward until you reach the tip. It’s like doing balances on a high wire.
In an interview, pro surfer Julie Cox threw out some wonderful remarks about crosstepping.
Here they are:
(On the question whether cross stepping is difficult or not)
“I don’t think cross stepping is difficult. I think it’s a little more of mind over matter, like getting over the fear of just trying the first one. Shuffling is definitely a little easier because your feet are both planted and you’re not taking too much risk. I really don’t think it’s that hard, it’s just different and takes some practice
The more stable the board the better when it comes to cross stepping. Because the goal for the cross step is to get up toward the nose of the board. You could do a hang five or a hang ten or put your weight a little bit more forward. A nice wide and semi thick board is best because you want that plank-like feeling to be doing a cross step on.”
In a forum question, cross-step expert Robert “Wingnut” Weaver indicates some great tips on how to polish this trick. Here they are:
“ (There are) two ways to approach the cross-step issue:
First: keep a lower center of gravity at first. Try not to “get tall” while you are walking.
If you are standing up too straight, as you move forward you will be picking up speed and that will cause you to tip backward. Then, practice the steps, back and forth, at home, at the market — whenever you have the time to make little steps, one over the other. It’s a timing and “feel” deal. No shortcuts. Eating it is all part of the fun.
Good luck…”
You have to be great at cross stepping to become proficient at nose ride, as you can see. Both require balance, knowing which wave to ride on and finding out how to take control of your board while performing the tricks.
If you want to learn more tricks, develop your surfing skills or perhaps want to have plain old fun with surfers just like you on an amazing surf vacation, have a look at All-Star Adventures at AllStarTrips.com. They offer amazing surf camps and surf vacations that you’ll certainly love.