Dean (LSD on Seabreeze) is the master of the nose ride on sub 8ft boards.
Just for the record you can nose ride most boards some are just easier than others.
At 110kg I was able to nose ride the pointy nose DC 9.4 with 5 over, granted more cheater 5 style but its possible. It was of the factors discussed with Dale during the design process.
Often on fat waves on the shorter boards your first move out of paddling in parallel stance is to step on the nose to force them down the face or with strong off shores or you will get blown off the back, you will automatically scream down the line on the nose. Try it you'll love it.
We made a 9ft skate board for Kristi to learn to cross step on.
Cross stepping on the kirb is also good to learn to get mobile on boards.