A skimboard is a short, flat, oval board for riding surf; it looks something like a short surfboard. Rather than paddling out and catching a wave, as with a typical surfboard, the skimboard rider approaches the wave from the beach. Mounting and riding a skimboard takes timing, balance, coordination and stamina. While some skimboarders prefer to simply ride the thin water along the edge of the surf, others charge straight toward an incoming wave. These skimboarders drop their boards into the water, then step on and ride the board, using momentum to meet the incoming wave, which they ride back to shore.
Step 1
Select a clear and open area of shoreline. Identify a wave just as it breaks on the beach, and run toward it with your skim board in both hands in front of you. Ensure the wave is moving toward the beach.
Step 2
Drop your board onto the water as it moves up the beach. As your skimboard hits the water and floats in the thin part of the leading edge of the wave, quickly run onto the board with both feet.
Step 3
Stand sideways on the board and plant your feet on it. Bend your legs and center your weight to balance on the board as it skims across the surface of the water toward the wave.
Step 4
Lean back slightly as you move forward to meet the wave, and shift your weight to your back foot to lift the nose of the skimboard. This prevents the board from nosing down into the water.
Step 5
Catch the face of the wave with the skimboard, and use your body to snap the board around at the top of the wave. If necessary, place your hand in the water to provide drag and help you turn.
Step 6
Ride the wave as you would with a surfboard. Use your arms and legs to balance and guide the board into the flow of the wave. Try different turns, spins and other tricks to make your ride more fun.
Step 7
Keep the nose of your skimboard up as you approach the shore. This prevents the board from digging into the sand and possibly throwing you off.
Things You'll Need
- Skimboard
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