Surf’s Up! How To Bodyboard (And What You’ve Been Missing!)

Recently updated on October 25th, 2022 at 11:33 am

There is nothing quite like the feeling of surfing through barrels on a bodyboard. It has the exhilaration of surfing without ever learning how to balance on the board.  

For most people, it only takes a few pointers to be riding your first wave. If the idea of splashing through waves and hitting the lip sounds exciting, stick around.

We’re going to break down the fundamentals of how to bodyboard.

1. The Gear

Before you go riding some tasty waves, you have to have the proper gear. The great news is you can buy your bodyboard gear for around $200. 

Here are the essentials that you’ll need to get started: 

• Bodyboard
• Rashguard or wet suit
• Leash
• Bodyboard flippers
• wax

When selecting your bodyboard, you want to stand the board up from the ground. The right size bodyboard should come up to your belly button.

Not sure where to find bodyboard flippers, have a look here. 

2. Learning to Ride

It goes without saying that before you begin bodyboarding, you should be a strong swimmer.  Without strong swimming skills, bodyboarding can be dangerous. 

Step 1: Wax Your Bodyboard

Before we get out into the surf and see what you can do, it’s important to wax up your board. Waxing your bodyboard helps you grip onto the board and keeps you from slipping off. 

The parts that are important to wax are the nose (or front) of the board. You’ll be grabbing the nose when you ride, so it’s important to wax. You’ll also want to wax the rail (side) of the board where your hand would be. 

Here is a great tutorial on how to wax your bodyboard. 

Step 2: Get in the Water

You want to find a part of the beach that isn’t too crowded with swimmers or other surfers. You’ll want to bodyboard on a day when the ocean is calm with only tiny waves breaking by the shoreline. 

Strap your leash around your right or left wrist. It can also go above your bicep. Put on your bodyboard flippers. Walk into the water. 

Turn around as you get in ankle-deep. Walk backward until you get to waist-deep water. Then turn forwards and lie on your bodyboard. Your chest should be on the upper half of the board. 

Step 3: Riding Your Board

As a wave approaches, hold on to the nose of your board and start kicking your flippers. Keep kicking until you feel the wave pushing you forward. 

It may take a few tries but keep with it. Once you’ve mastered riding the board, it’s time to ride the wave! 

Step 4: Ride the Wave

To ride the wave, you’ll do exactly as you did to ride your board. The only difference is you’ll grab the nose, look for an open part of the wave. 

To go right, keep your right hand on the nose (front) and pull up on the rail (side) of the board with your left hand. To go left, put your left hand on the nose and pull up with your right hand on the rail. To go right, keep your right hand on the nose (front) and pull up on the rail (side) of the board with your left hand. To go left, put your left hand on the nose and pull up with your right hand on the rail. If you want to know more then read more here and take the help of professional.

Now You Know How to Bodyboard

There you have it! Now you know how to bodyboard. With these four foundational steps, you’ll be on your way to ripping the waves in no time! 

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