Skimboarding works best on wide, sandy and flat beaches with plenty of surf. You'll need enough space to run up to the water's edge to gain a bit of momentum. Use a proper skimboard and not a surfboard. Skimboards are usually thin, oval-shaped wooden or carbon-fiber boards 3- to 4-feet long. Use board wax on the top side of the skimboard to give yourself more grip and traction. Skimboarding requires similar skills to skateboarding and surfing, including balance and good leg strength.
Step 1
Stand around 20 feet from the edge of the water. Hold the skimboard level with your waist in a flat position with the pointed end farthest from your body. Put one hand at the back of the board and one on the side to help with accurate throwing.
Step 2
Run at a slight angle toward the sea just as a wave is trickling back to the ocean and 1/4 inch of water coats the sand. Throw the board down onto the wet sand a few feet ahead of you. Throw so that the tip of the board is slightly raised to avoid sticking in the sand, according to skimboarder Keith Girard, writing on the University of New Hampshire website.
Step 3
Stand on the board by putting your strongest foot near the back of the board first. Don't jump onto the board or you could buckle or lose momentum. Drop your front foot down soon after, leaving a gap of about a foot from the front of the board. Land both feet at a 90-degree angle, so that your body faces sideways to the board, like a classic surfer stance.
Step 4
Bend your legs, stay low and look forward. Keep your weight centered, but shift most of your weight to your back leg when you first hit the board. Use your arms to balance, but keep your elbows in.
Step 5
Aim the board along the shallow part of the breaking waves. Lift your legs up as you travel over humps in the water and push back down as the hump falls. This is known as "hopping," according to Victoria Skimboards.
Step 6
Maintain speed and get farther out to the waves by "side-slipping." Turn your board as you ride so that both your toes point out to sea. Turn again to face the wave as you reach it, according to Skimonline.
Tips and Warnings
- Practice throwing the board in the surf before attempting to jump on it. It takes a little time to get the angle right. Add car wax to the bottom of your board for extra speed, according to Skimonline. Lean down to touch the water to help make sharper turns, according to Victoria Skimboards. Crouch down farther as you start to lose speed to keep the board traveling as far as possible.
- Ensure that you don't land too far forward on the board or it could stick in the sand and you could fall face-forward. Avoid skimboarding on stony shores, and always check for hidden rocks or wooden structures in the sand.
Things You'll Need
- Skimboard
- Board wax
- Car wax (optional)
Member Comments