diff --git a/src/ui/PartyMenu.lua b/src/ui/PartyMenu.lua
index 9bc478fb..6ee4212e 100644
--- a/src/ui/PartyMenu.lua
+++ b/src/ui/PartyMenu.lua
@@ -304,10 +304,12 @@ function PartyMenu:update(dt)
           or Strings("{RAM:wNameBuffer} used\nSTRENGTH.")):gsub("{RAM:wNameBuffer}", name)
         local t2 = (self.game.data.text._CanMoveBouldersText
           or Strings("{RAM:wNameBuffer} can\nmove boulders.")):gsub("{RAM:wNameBuffer}", name)
+        -- like surf (#320): the blink belongs UNDER the texts, not as a
+        -- flashbang on the empty map after them; the stack only updates
+        -- the top state, so the flash holds until the texts close
+        self.game.stack:push(Transition.whiteFlash(self.game))
         self.game.stack:push(TextBox.new(self.game, t1, function()
-          self.game.stack:push(TextBox.new(self.game, t2, function()
-            self.game.stack:push(Transition.whiteFlash(self.game))
-          end))
+          self.game.stack:push(TextBox.new(self.game, t2))
         end, { auto = { sound = function()
           return require("src.core.Sound").playCry(self.game.data, mon.species)
         end } }))
diff --git a/src/world/OverworldController.lua b/src/world/OverworldController.lua
index e2101b85..1fe9b3ef 100644
--- a/src/world/OverworldController.lua
+++ b/src/world/OverworldController.lua
@@ -2004,23 +2004,19 @@ function OverworldState:trySurf(fx, fy)
   if not mon then return end
   local name = mon.nickname or Game.data.pokemon[mon.species].name
   local p = self.player
-  p.surfing = true
-  require("src.core.Music").setSurfing(Game.data, true)
   local text = (Game.data.text._SurfingGotOnText or Strings("{PLAYER} got on\n{RAM:wNameBuffer}!"))
                :gsub("{RAM:wNameBuffer}", name)
+  -- GBPalWhiteOutWithDelay3 runs while the got-on text is still up
+  -- (start_sub_menus.asm .surf), so the blink reads as a text flash
+  -- instead of a flashbang on the empty map (#320).  The flash sits
+  -- under the textbox on the stack: only the top state updates, so it
+  -- holds its frames until the text closes.  surfing (and the sprite
+  -- swap) only applies when the step happens -- no paddling on land.
+  Game.stack:push(require("src.render.Transition").whiteFlash(Game))
   Game.stack:push(TextBox.new(Game, text, function()
-    -- start_sub_menus.asm .surf: UseItem returns (mount + text done),
-    -- then GBPalWhiteOutWithDelay3 blinks before the simulated forward
-    -- press steps onto the water (or across a connection strip, like
-    -- Cinnabar's east coast onto Route 20)
-    local Transition = require("src.render.Transition")
-    if Transition.whiteFlash then
-      Game.stack:push(Transition.whiteFlash(Game, nil, function()
-        self:stepForwardOrCrossEdge(p.facing)
-      end))
-    else
-      self:stepForwardOrCrossEdge(p.facing)
-    end
+    p.surfing = true
+    require("src.core.Music").setSurfing(Game.data, true)
+    self:stepForwardOrCrossEdge(p.facing)
   end))
 end
 
diff --git a/tests/mod_ui_tests.lua b/tests/mod_ui_tests.lua
index a0581ece..0c387c34 100644
--- a/tests/mod_ui_tests.lua
+++ b/tests/mod_ui_tests.lua
@@ -532,6 +532,30 @@ press(fpm, "a")
 check(not fpm.submenu and forced == fgame.save.party[1],
   "forceSwitch still picks immediately (ChooseNextMon / SHIFT)")
 
+-- ------- issue #320: the STRENGTH blink sits under its texts
+do
+  local owStub = { strengthActive = false,
+                   map = { def = { tileset = "OVERWORLD" } }, dark = false }
+  local sgame = partyGame()
+  sgame.overworld = owStub
+  sgame.data.text = {} -- the strength texts fall back to Strings sources
+  sgame.save.inventory.RAINBOWBADGE = 1
+  sgame.save.party[1].moves = { { id = "STRENGTH" } }
+  local pm = PartyMenu.new(sgame)
+  pm.game = sgame
+  sgame.stack:push(pm)
+  press(pm, "a") -- open the submenu
+  check(pm.subItems[#pm.subItems].action == "strength",
+    "the strength row is listed with badge + move")
+  pm.subIndex = #pm.subItems
+  press(pm, "a") -- run STRENGTH
+  local states = sgame.stack.states
+  check(#states == 2 and states[1].frames ~= nil
+    and states[2].pages ~= nil,
+    "the blink sits under the strength texts")
+  check(owStub.strengthActive == true, "strength still activates")
+end
+
 -- ------- mod.ui helpers and theme defaults
 local items = { { label = "A" }, { label = "B" } }
 ModUI.insertAfter(items, "A", { label = "X" })
diff --git a/tests/mod_world_tests.lua b/tests/mod_world_tests.lua
index caf7ae31..11114556 100644
--- a/tests/mod_world_tests.lua
+++ b/tests/mod_world_tests.lua
@@ -607,6 +607,38 @@ do
   end)
 end
 
+do
+  -- issue #320: the surf blink sits UNDER the "got on" text (pokered's
+  -- GBPalWhiteOutWithDelay3 runs while the text is up), and the surfing
+  -- sprite swap waits for the actual step onto the water
+  require("src.render.Font").load(Data)
+  local save = {
+    flags = {},
+    inventory = { SOULBADGE = 1 },
+    party = { { species = "SQUIRTLE", moves = { { id = "SURF" } } } },
+    player = { name = "RED" },
+  }
+  local stack = { states = {} }
+  function stack:push(s) self.states[#self.states + 1] = s end
+  function stack:pop() return table.remove(self.states) end
+  function stack:top() return self.states[#self.states] end
+  local game = { data = Data, save = save, stack = stack }
+  check(bindGame(OW.trySurf, game), "trySurf binds a test Game")
+  check(bindGame(OW.partyKnows, game), "partyKnows binds the same Game")
+  local ow = setmetatable({ player = { facing = "down" } }, { __index = OW })
+  ow.stepForwardOrCrossEdge = function(_, dir) ow.stepped = dir end
+
+  ow:trySurf(10, 10)
+  local bottom, top = stack.states[1], stack.states[2]
+  check(bottom and bottom.frames ~= nil and top and top.pages ~= nil,
+    "the blink sits under the surf text on the stack")
+  check(not ow.player.surfing, "no surfing sprite while the text is up")
+
+  top.onDone()
+  check(ow.player.surfing == true, "surfing applies with the step")
+  check(ow.stepped == "down", "the step onto the water fires")
+end
+
 do
   -- warp.destination reroutes one door without owning the warp table
   local warpDef = Data.maps.PALLET_TOWN.warps[1]
diff --git a/tests/parity_I_M.lua b/tests/parity_I_M.lua
index af47d595..40e70635 100644
--- a/tests/parity_I_M.lua
+++ b/tests/parity_I_M.lua
@@ -166,6 +166,9 @@ ow.player.facing = "down"; ow.player.surfing = false
 clearCaptured()
 local pmSurf = PartyMenu.new(Game)
 selectSubItem(pmSurf, 3)
+-- the blink sits under the got-on text (#320); dismissing the text is
+-- what mounts and steps
+Game.stack:top().onDone()
 eq(ow.player.surfing, true, "SURF from the party menu sets player.surfing")
 check(not onStack(pmSurf), "party menu closes after a successful SURF")
 check(sawText("got on"), "_SurfingGotOnText shown on a successful SURF")
@@ -498,6 +501,7 @@ clearCaptured()
 -- submenu order: STATS, SWITCH, FLY, CUT, STRENGTH, SURF (move order on mon)
 local pmFaintSurf = PartyMenu.new(Game)
 selectSubItem(pmFaintSurf, 6)
+Game.stack:top().onDone() -- dismiss the text: mount + step (#320)
 eq(ow.player.surfing, true, "fainted mon can SURF from the party menu")
 check(not onStack(pmFaintSurf), "party menu closes after fainted SURF")