Longboarder's Start-Up: A Guide to Longboard Surfing (Start-Up Sports series)

In casual prose and readable type on 160 5-inch by 8.5-inch pages, Werner gave more than enough background and instruction to get me started.His approach is 'hands-on' -- gives the basic method for a procedure, and often, an alternate or two -- then reminds you to **try** it. Surfing is a 'learn by doing' sort of thing. I like this approach, it gets you out in the water.Cheerfully practical, he agrees that some of the suggested exercises or practice routines may make you look dorky--to start with. Often the alternative is to go get pounded by waves or glared at by other surfers. He is also the author that convinced me that I'd do well do work on improving my fitness level. Once done with instruction on the beach, you'll have an educational experience: muscles you didn't know you had will prove they exist, and they'll do so emphatically and all at once.One of the most useful things to me (and perhaps to other beginners who haven't watched the surf or surfing) is the set of photographs and descriptions of waves. Another was how to figure out which foot I should use forward--a very fast and decisive method.Werner addresses both raw beginners and those who already surf shortboards. It may just be easier to be a total novice! The shortboarders have things to un-learn, or at least set aside for a while, and are reminded of some basic differences in the physics of surfing and realities of the longboard. Such as nose-riding involves actually moving your feet forward (cross stepping), and turning means setting one foot far enough back (further than that!) to release the rail for the turn (not just a quick twist or shift in weight).He remembers and uses his own experience in adding longboard skills to his shortboard skills, to let the raw beginner get a look at a surfer dude looking 'dorky.' Remembering those things help when paddling around on a flat pond to get the feel of your relationship to the board.A note for others in the 50-Dead crowd: The typeface is large enough so I can read this without glasses. A good bring-along book if you want a reminder that, 'Yes, Virginia, you Can Duck Dive your Longboard.' (Slice & Duck)Let's go surfing!

This is a great book for anyone learning to longboard. There is a ton of great information in here I have not found anywhere else including a friend of mine who has been surfing for over 20 years. Yeah he adresses the reader assuming you're a shortboarder but so what? The information is still there. Everyone who is bent out of shape because of this is missing the point. If your thinking of getting this book, do so.

I really like the overview of longboarding that this book provides. I also found it to be a good 'how to book' for executing moves. I can see myself rereading this book to refresh my memory. Lots of great ideas for incorporating more advanced techniques in longboarding. As with most 'how to books' they always appear so much easier to master then in real life. I would highly recommend this book as the bible for beginner longboarding.

I surf and like to read about surfing.This book really is a guide. That's it.It is very straight forward and I got the feeling like it was handed out with every Stewart surfboard rental or purchase.It covers the basics and it does it well.I would recommend it for someone just getting into or thinking of getting into surfing. It's also a good refresher for those of us that have been surfing for awhile.

A good practice guide for beginners longboard. It might be best illustrated with color photos.The book is part of a large collection.

Exactly what I was looking for; the packaging was very good and working perfectly; I would recommend to my friends

Good quick book on basic Longboard info.....would have liked more on catching waves and reading them....

Really enjoyed the book. Packed full of useful information. Used the book to teach my grandsons surfing etiquette . I would definitely recommend it.