Drop-knee bodyboarding is a specific style of bodyboarding, which is a 1970s takeoff on surfing. Unlike the prone or stand-up style, drop-knee consists of extending your front leg out to the front of the board while balancing on your back knee. From this position, you can perform a series of maneuvers and rotations while riding a wave.
Wave Choice
If you are just starting to bodyboard using the drop-knee technique, it is important that you start on a wave that is easy for you to maneuver on. Choosing flat waves to start will help you execute an easy takeoff, giving you extended periods of time to get into a drop-knee stance without falling off your board or needing to be at a sharp angle to stay on the wave.
Balance
While transitioning into a drop-knee stance, it is important that your balance is consistent and stable so that you don't fall off the bodyboard while shifting your weight onto your back knee. Start the move lying flat on your stomach. Once you get picked up by the wave, get up on both knees, keeping your hands down on the board for balance. From here, lift up onto your left foot, keeping your right knee down while both of your hands are still down on the board. Only after you have dropped your knee should you remove your hands from the board.
360 Spin
After you have practiced and are comfortable with the basics of the drop-knee stance, performing rotations and tricks in the water are an easy addition. As you ride a wave in the drop-knee stance, place one arm on the front edge of the board. Shift your weight towards the wave, causing the tip of the board to angle towards the wave. As you move into the wave, continue to shift your weight until you fully rotate around, 360 degrees. Once you make a full rotation, level out and continue to ride the wave.
Bottom Turn
After riding several flat waves, performing a bottom turn successfully will help you transition into riding hollow waves. As you ride down the wave in a drop-knee stance, rotate the board 90 degrees until you are perpendicular with the wave. Hold this position, riding for as long as you can before pulling out of the wave. If you are having trouble keeping your balance while rotating, place both hands down on the board to improve your balance.
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