Never Shuffle...

Before you can even noseride a longboard you have to master the cross step. Never ever shuffle, always cross step, the shuffle won't help you. Learn the correct way don't cheat your way to the nose! I remember learning to cross step, I practiced for hours on my skateboard, in car parks or along the seafront in Brighton. I would do one step forward, one step back, gradually building the confidence to perch on the nose of my longboard, in fact you never stop learning. The amazing Tyler Hatzikien once said 'if he is short and his toes don't land perfectly on the nose first time,  he'll step back and start again'. That final step has to  perfectly place your foot on the very tip of the board with your 'toes over'. Noseriding is so hard but before you start to walk to the nose you'll always need to wait for the right section, you have to set up the board, placing yourself on a nice wall so the wave wraps the tail, locks you in and holds your board, especially if your heavier like me, flat sections, noserides and Chunky Brothers don't mix! 

The cross step is part of the art,  controlling the speed of the board as you walk forward and stand with nothing but water in front of you...it's the best feeling. Walking back can be a blast too. When that split second decision is made to walk back, the board may often speed up and that acceleration can throw you backwards, hands thrown in the air to balance. 

If I was to give one piece of advice bearing in mind I'm  no expert just a lifelong student myself...take one step forward, one back. Repeat this like 'The Way of the Samurai' over and over and over. When your comfortable...take a step forward, then another...you might find you've landed on the nose.....and NEVER..EVER shuffle!