Take-Off for Longboards and Beginners on Foamboards

This variant is ideal for longboarders and beginners who surf on a foam board - as is common in surf schools. It allows for a stable and controlled take-off that helps you get safely on the board.

Goal: The goal is that you always land on the correct final position with your feet.

💡 Tip: Film yourself from the side with your smartphone to analyze your technique and improve it.

Step 1

Apply markings – simulate your surfboard

Take a piece of tape and draw a straight line on the ground that represents your surfboard.

📍 Additional marking:
Use two more strips of tape to mark your shoulder width – this corresponds to the distance between your feet in the surfing stance. This marking will help you find the right position for your take-off.

Step 2


➤ Place your hands at the same distance on the front line.

Step 3

➤ Lie flat on the line so that your body is centered.


➤ Place your hands directly on the top line and position your body so that your nipples are directly above your hands.


➤ Always look forward – where you want to surf. Never look at the board or your feet!

Step 4

Perform a push-up by pushing your upper body up as a unit.

➤ Keep your body straight – avoid arching your back or sagging.


➤ Stretch your arms out completely to create enough space between you and the "surfboard".

➤ Your gaze remains directed forward.

Step 5

Bring the back foot forward

Bring your back foot forward so that it lands directly on the back cross of the two lines.

💡 What does “back foot” mean?
This is the foot that is at the back when surfing:

  • Regular : Left foot forward → Back foot = Right
  • Goofy : Right foot forward → Back foot = Left

➤ Your gaze remains directed forward.

Step 6

Bring the front foot forward

Bring your front foot forward so that it lands exactly between your hands – centered on the cross of the lines .

➤ Your gaze remains directed forward.

Step 7

Straighten up to the final position

Once your front foot is in the correct position, raise your arms and straighten up into your final position, the surf stance .

➤ Arms point forward and are to the left and right of your body.


➤ Knees are slightly bent and “point” forward.


✔ Gaze is also directed forward.

💡 You can see exactly what the final position looks like step by step here.

final position surf stance

Check position and increase speed

✔ Check your foot position:

Your front foot should be on the front line .

Your back foot should be on the back line .

Practice the process slowly and step by step until your feet automatically land in the right position every time and your surfing stance is stable.

💡 Once you have mastered the movement , you can try to do it a little faster. Always make sure that your feet continue to land precisely in the right position. If that doesn't work, take a step back and practice more slowly.

🔄 Repeat this process to gradually increase your speed until you can confidently perform the take-off in one fluid, quick movement.

final stance

You can find detailed instructions on how to adopt the correct surfing stance here. Step by step, you will learn how to position your feet correctly, keep your balance and get a stable position on the board.

Surf Stance Instructions

Checklist: Your perfect surf stance ✅

✔ Feet: Centered on the markings.
✔ Back foot: Almost parallel to the line.
✔ Front foot: Points slightly forward.
✔ Head: Looks forward.
✔ Back knee: More bent than the front knee.
✔ Back: Slightly curved forward.
✔ Upper body: Straight – your butt does not stick out.
✔ Hands: Left and right of the body, pointing slightly forward and downward.
➝ For beginners: Hands can be held wider so that they extend beyond the surfboard on the left and right.

✅ Compare your position with this checklist to make sure your surfing stance is stable and balanced!

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