This tutorial addresses the difficulty of cross stepping on frontside waves, identifying a simple solution that greatly improves stability. The core problem is losing the inside rail lock, which is solved by applying continuous pressure to the toes during the cross step.
Key Takeaways & Tips
The Core Problem
The difficulty with frontside cross stepping is the inability to keep the inside rail locked in the wave. The board transitions from a locked to an unlocked position while cross stepping because pressure is not maintained on the inside rail.
The Solution (Toe Pressure)
The simple solution is to keep continuous pressure on your toes while cross stepping on a frontside wave. This action keeps the inside rail locked and the board stable.
Foot Squaring
In addition to toe pressure, you should try to square your front foot up a little more (more perpendicular to the stringer). This makes the board more stable when rocking back and forth on the toes.
Practice Drill
Practice using a drill where you position your board hanging off an edge. If you don’t keep pressure on your toes, the board will fall off. You can also flip it around to practice rights.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Arm Flailing
A common occurrence when pressure is lost on the inside rail is the arm flying up to compensate for the board wanting to dip down the wave. This is a sign the lower body is not keeping the board stable.
Heel Weight
Using too much weight on your heels (which is natural on back side waves) on a frontside wave will cause the inside rail to release and the board to wobble.
Weight Too Far Back
A secondary mistake is keeping your weight too far back while cross stepping. This occurs on both left and right for the surfer but must be addressed in combination with maintaining inside rail pressure.