HURRY UP AND WAIT: THE HIDDEN STEP

On a longboard – with all the length and buoyancy – catching waves early is less of an issue.

This gives you the luxury of being able to delay your take-off and reposition yourself in the prone position (rather than standing up), to put yourself in the perfect spot.

WHY DO SURFERS USE THIS DELAYED POP UP TECHNIQUE?

Longboarders will use the ‘Hurry up and wait’ technique to allow a wave to steepen up, and position themselves in the right spot ready to cross-step immediately from the take-off to get to the nose of the board.

You’ll also often see longboarders fading back towards the peak of the wave in this prone position too, once again repositioning themselves in the sweet spot ready for cross-stepping and nose-riding.

WHEN TO USE IT AND WHY

This technique is used primarily by more advanced longboarders looking to position themselves and noseride immediately after they get to their feet.

You’ll want to use this technique when you have an early entry into a wave whereby you have the time to redirect your board, or to delay your pop up, to get yourself in the right position.

Now although we haven’t covered cross stepping just yet, this is a good prelude technique to put yourself in the right position for when you’re ready.