Levitating, defying physics to perch with the feet on the tip of the board, while the tail is locked into the wave, the Noseride is the peak of Longboard surfing.
Whilst aesthetically beautiful, it also forms a functional aspect of wave-riding: stalling and trimming to control your speed on the wave. Learn to noseride, and you will unlock the true joy of longboarding.
(Photo: Rob Fiorella)
As I head to El Salvador to compete in the 2024 World Longboarding Championship for Team Canada, I have compiled key tips that have helped me, and will, in turn, help you get those little piggies over the nose!
Know the Basics
Noserideing is a maneuver that should be performed in the critical section of a breaking wave, i.e. the top ⅓ to ¼ of the face of the wave. In order to get there, you have to confidently be able to surf the face of the wave and bottom turn your board into that critical section.
Once you have that board locked into the critical section, you can start your cross stepping, where you walk, oh-so elegantly up your board.
(Photo: Cristina Gareau)
TIP: Don't shuffle! Shuffling your feet to get closer to the nose may feel like the safe option, but in reality, it is more destabilizing. Break the habit early and practice cross-stepping on land to ingrain the good habits.
TIP: Longboard Specialist Kassia Meador said that “every good noseride starts with a good turn.”. Dial your board control, and you will be able to get your board into the perfect noseride section every time.
Know the different types of noserides
Technically, you are noseriding when you enter the front ⅓ of the board, but, can you hang 10?
First, we learn how to Hang 5, when we cross step up to the nose and wrap the 5 toes of our front foot over the nose of the board. An easier variation of this is known as the Cheater 5, because we compress and widen our stance in order to “cheat” the front foot toes over the nose.
(Photo: Lukene Sotomayor)
Once the Hang 5 feels consistent, we might start trying the coveted Hang 10: From the Hang 5 position, pull the back foot up alongside the front foot into a parallel stance, with all 10 toes hanging over the edge of the nose.
TIP: The hang 5 is considered a trimming maneuver in that it increases your speed on the wave, whereas the hang 10 is considered a stalling maneuver, slowing you down on the wave face. Use that knowledge to control your speed to keep in time with the breaking wave.
And that is just the start! We then move on to more complex maneuvers such as Hanging heels, switch-noserides, cross-foot turns, and so much more.
Relax and feel the flow
If longboarding has taught me anything, it is to be relaxed and not to force anything. A good noseride will feel effortless as you let the board engage with the wave and take gentle, balanced steps to the nose. Eye the section in front of you to determine if it is going to create that perfect cascading section; if not, don’t force it. Reset and wait for the right section. Aim to eliminate tension in your body. Drop your shoulders and open up to the wave face. Feel your feet gripping the board and notice how your weight shifting influences its line. It’s a dance, get your hips involved!
(Photo: Rob Fiorella)
Watch good longboarding!
Tune in April 18th—25th, 2024, to watch LIVE as I compete for Team Canada against some of the best in the world at El Sunzal, El Salvador. It’s an absolutely epic surf venue with long, perfect noseride sections, where I hope to put these tips into practice!
Blog Written by Adam Tory