The Fade Takeoff is an undervalued skill, yet the cure for many longboarding problems, including poor positioning and nose diving. Unlike shortboards, the longboard’s size makes this takeoff critical for positioning yourself in the pocket to execute deep nose rides and accelerating carves.
Key Takeaways & Tips
Back Foot Positioning
The back foot must land very close to the fin/tail. To practice, plant the back foot on the board as you paddle, and then only bring the front foot through during the pop-up. This breaks the habit of landing in the middle of the board.
Engage the Rail with Your Toe
On a longboard, the back foot’s toe must come onto the inside rail, as centering the foot in the middle of the tail limits your ability to lean into and engage the rail when turning.
Accelerating Carves (Drawn Out)
For a drawn-out carve, use more space on the wave, face approximately 45 degrees, and work your way to the bottom. Accelerate out of the bottom turn by pushing with your compressed legs and extending out to set your line.
Stalling Maneuver (Quick Whip)
For a steep, fast section, use a quicker change of direction as a stalling maneuver. Turn sharply in the top half of the wave at a 70–80 degree angle to keep the board high and stall momentum, allowing you to rush straight to the nose.
Use Compression
Keep the upper body low and compressed during the fade turn instead of popping up tall. This allows you to really feel the rail engagement and draw out the carve, providing acceleration as you extend off the bottom.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Middle of the Board Takeoff
Using a standard takeoff that lands your feet in the middle of the board hinders your ability to put the board on rail and increases the likelihood of nose diving in critical sections.
Taking a Step Back
Popping up in the middle first and then taking a quick step back to the tail. This causes you to miss the section, lets the wave rush ahead of you, and increases the risk of nose diving because you can’t engage the rail immediately.
Standing Up Too Tall
Popping up and standing up tall, placing weight onto the back foot to engage the turn. This is less effective than using compression and extension to engage the rail and draw out the carve.