Tips on Bodyboarding

Bodyboarding contains many similarities to surfing --- though in bodyboarding riders remain on their stomachs, rather than standing up to catch a wave. Before you can participate in this sport, you must choose the proper board and observe how the water behaves in your bodyboarding area. Eventually, you can learn some basic bodyboarding techniques and will have the ability to head out and enjoy the water whenever you wish.

Choosing a Board

The board that you choose depends on your size, as heavier and taller people need larger boards. As a rule, your board should reach the area around your belly button when standing straight up. It should fit underneath your arm comfortably, so do not choose an overly wide board. When selecting your board, you will likely see boards with wider and thinner noses and tails. This does not matter much for a beginner, but prone riders will normally choose a board with a wider nose.

Entering the Water

Examine the surf before you paddle into the water. Find a landmark on the beach and keep an awareness of it, as this will allow you to keep track of your location, no matter where you end up in the water. Watch the water and keep track of where it breaks, as this will limit the surprises once you get out into the surf.

Your First Waves

Paddle out into the water and let the waves carry you back into shore. Choose a small wave to start and begin kicking your legs as the wave approaches you from behind. You will want to paddle out far enough that you can catch the wave right before it breaks and turns into whitewater. Start paddling towards the shore with the nose of the board pointed in that direction. Keep this up until you feel the foam from the wave hit you, at which point you will have the sensation of being lifted. Once on top of the wave, enjoy the ride as the water carries you to shore.

Bottom Turn

Learning a bottom turn precedes most tricks, as it involves turning at the bottom of the wave at full speed. Begin by putting all of your weight on one side of the board, while digging your elbow into the board. Next, lift the other side of the board with your hand to create a tilt, which will lead to the turn. Center yourself in the middle of the wave once you have completed the turn to gain speed. You might fall a few times as you learn, but this turn remains the base for most bodyboarding tricks.