Boardwalking

[Michael Billings]

Does anyone have any tips for Cross stepping and other tricks of that nature?

[dach]

Does anyone have any tips for Cross stepping and other tricks of that nature?

practise holding onto a wall or something, the board might fly out from under you the first few times you try it.
www.surfacemotion.com has huge amounts of information if you like footwork stuff.

[Michael Billings]

Thanks, that is what I was looking for.

[dave_p]

i practice in my basement on carpet so the board doesnt move. get comfy doing the fandango all over that thing. then add movement later and get used to that.

[Michael Billings]

I think I have some extra shag carpet in the garage. I should move it up to my room so then I can practice without marking up the carpet.

[Rudie]

Get yourself a big empty flat parking lot to practice, and start by going a little slower than kicking speed. And follow that guide on surfacemotion, it's real good stuff 8)

[VA]

i think it's a little easier to do with forward motion (stability-wise...as opposed to holding the wall.), just get some pads, go to an open area (parking lot, tennis/basketball court, mellow hills) and get used to cross-stepping...nothing more, nothing less. when you get the cross-stepping thing down comfortably start working on walking through mild turns, then work on carving and walking at the same time. once you get the hang of balancing on the board and walking forward and against the motion (which is your KEY goal and objective here...there's no easier way to do it but get used to it...let your body adapt) , you can start working on perches, 360 spins, prisonwalks, grapevines, and the sort.

[Rudie]

I can't seem to ever get used to how the board darts forward when I backpedal to the tail.

And another thing to practice is to just ride in cross-stance. Feels a bit awkward, but you get the hang of it pretty fast.

[blakestree]

I suppose in the very beginning too it helps to get used to riding switch? I've found I can kick about equally well, regular or mongo, but when I try a switched stance with any amount of speed all hell breaks loose.

[Crimpshrine]

I can't seem to ever get used to how the board darts forward when I backpedal to the tail.

I lean forward when I do this. Walking backwards is way harder than forwards. I can still barely do it at low speeds. Leaning forwards keeps the board from flying out forwards really fast and you falling back on your dome.

[VA]

prisonwalks (pacing front to back) are hard for me sometimes...mostly turning backwards on the nose and walking to the back of the board. just keep practicin' you'll get it.

[K-Rimes]

Cross steppin is somewhat difficult cause the board moves forward quickly. I like to practice on my evo then take it to a turny board, the evo, being very stable is good practice.

[Directive0]

I can't seem to ever get used to how the board darts forward when I backpedal to the tail.

And another thing to practice is to just ride in cross-stance. Feels a bit awkward, but you get the hang of it pretty fast.

agreed.

[wombat boarder]

just about all i can do of this sort is a switch stance spinner, very easy, i like it tho

[longskatedude]

im gonna give a shout out to these guys at www.whoisadamcolton.com.
there walking **** is just sick! really cool, innovative, and unique style.

just click media, video, and choose one. The soulful one is pretty sick!

if u adam colton crew guys see this, im just wondering about the board setup you were riding while doing the ridiculous walking segment. looks like indys with 85mm kryps. how long is the board, and the wheelbase?

[BobLoftin]

I emailed with Adam a bit.

Those boards are homemade. I think most of 'em are about 5 feet long, though to my eyes the one Adam does the nosewheelie on looks more like 48".

That is indeed great stuff. I'm fairly good at longboard walking, but I felt like a clumsy oaf after seeing those dudes.

[brainfartalerts]

might sound goofy but depending on how you learn, the trick you learn is less important than how you go about it.

most of the tricks are actually mastered when the transition is learned.

might sound odd but forget the board is moving. it has to move so that is a done deal. when you step over, it is the same as the transition moment to fakie on an incline. suddenly you make up your mind that the new orientation faces forward and you reset your reactions accordingly.
decide when that moment will be and then it is. worry about the falling when and if it happens.

sounds spiritual in a way and is.

supple thinking will help you more than battering the trick to death.