Longboard Surf Tricks

Surfing dates back to the Polynesians, who used long wooden planks to ride waves. These heavy boards were the predecessors to modern day longboards, which are characterized by their sturdy and long composition. Duke Kahanamoku pioneered many longboard moves and techniques, ultimately influencing the spread of surfing from Hawaii to the rest of the world. Today, longboards have a distinct set of tricks that allow surfers to utilize their thick and solid shape to ride the waves.

  1. Drop Knee Cutback

    • Because longboards are so heavy and large, they are very hard to turn, unlike other smaller and lighter types of surfboards. The drop knee cutback allows you to turn the board sharply, and it is usually done to give a wave more time to develop. To perform a drop knee cutback, place your weight on the back foot and pivot your hips, such that the front of the board begins to turn. When the board begins to turn, place your weight back on the front foot, causing the board to rotate 180 degrees.

    Hang 10

    • A hang 10 is a classic longboard trick that occurs when you walk to the front of the board. In order to do a hang 10, first balance on the board, and then slowly walk to the front of the board. Place your toes over the front edge of the longboard, creating the illusion that you are riding on the front of the board. You can hold this position for a few seconds, before returning to the normal surfing stance.

    Walking

    • Walking is an advanced trick that creates the appearance that you are walking up and down the longboard. When doing a walking trick, carefully shuffle your feet up and down the board, constantly sidestepping to maintain balance. Walking is particularly associated with longboards, because their long shape gives plenty of room for you to shuffle up and down while riding a wave.

    Coffin

    • The coffin trick makes you look as if you are lying in a coffin in the middle of the water. Perform this trick by transitioning from a standing to the laying position on the board. While lying down on the board, cross your hands over your chest, in order to create the appearance that you are lying in a coffin. Afterwards, slowly rise into the standing surf position.