Beginner longboarding 101

[Guest]

I'm a 1 year experienced beginner surfer. I surf a 6'4" board on knee to shoulder high waves. I just got a 9ft heavy single-fin longboard and I've never longboarded before. I might be taking my new longboard out next weekend and I was hoping for some advice to help ease my transition from the shortboard to the longboard. I know how to paddle on my shortboard and some fundamental stuff like that, but when it comes to longboards I'm lost. I don't want to be out there all misplaced on my board trying to figure out everything while I'm getting hammered by waves and stuff. Much appreciation!

[gulfsurfer]

You'll have alot of fun on it. They catch waves WAY easier then on a shortboard. Just go out there and surf it to get a feel of it.

[babyboarder89]

be aware that it weighs plenty and will huirt if it hits you. but yeah youll have tons of fun!!!

[San Diego Longboarder]

I think you will enjoy the speed and ease of paddle that you are currently unaccustomed to. I might suggest that you take off on your waves earlier than you would on a shortboard. You've probably noticed all the longboarders are sitting on the outside, while the shortboarders always seem to be closer in? It's because the longboarders catch the waves easier, with fewer paddles. If you try and catch a wave on your longboard where you usually sit with your shortboard, you're liable to end up pearling.

[duhkine]

This is interesting because its usually longboard to shortboard. Longboards are heavier, longer, faster and take much more effort to turn. When paddling, try to keep the nose about an inch above the water or the board as flat as possible without digging the nose in. I find that it helps me glide better when flatter. When on a wave, don't feel scared of all the board in front of you because its normal. You want to try stay on the back end of the board as much as possible. It will feel like your standing on a tank if you are used to a shortboard. You won't need to keep turning and shredding to maintain balance. Just watch out for people in front of you because it hurts when you get hit in the face or get run over by large skegs (I've experienced it many times). Just keep practicing and you'll find that longboards are just as fun as a shortboard.

Aloha!

[cheesefillet]

hello, i've been surfing with shortboards for about 6-7 years now and want to take up proper longboarding.


I'm very excited on practicing on a log, I'd just want some tips on how to improve the overall style/flow for longboard?
(i tend to do a slow cutback instead of cross stepping)
also, regarding timing, should i lightly "tap" the longboard to put speed onto it
or should i stomp with power as with shortboards?


any advice would be really appreciated.

[esonscar]

Short Board to Long Board = falling off loads !

Suck it up and persevere.

[coldhands]

hello, i've been surfing with shortboards for about 6-7 years now and want to take up proper longboarding.


I'm very excited on practicing on a log, I'd just want some tips on how to improve the overall style/flow for longboard?
(i tend to do a slow cutback instead of cross stepping)
also, regarding timing, should i lightly "tap" the longboard to put speed onto it
or should i stomp with power as with shortboards?


any advice would be really appreciated.

My only advice is - learn to walk around on the board. More than pumping or tapping - just taking a step forward will weight the nose down, and you will speed up down the line. It's a different approach. There's a larger "sweet spot" and you can manipulate it with more ease than a short board. The speeding up is the easy part. Learning the tail of a longboard is the hard part. But coming from shorter boards this might actually be easier. I recommend mellow days, beach break, out of people way, go leashless - learn to walk freely and control thing.