How to Bodyboard: A Guide for Beginners
Looking for a new sport to try out this year? Why not try bodyboarding! Bodyboarding may be one of the lesser-known sports, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth learning.
Read on for our guide on how to bodyboard.
What is Bodyboarding?
Unlike surfing, bodyboarding allows you to lie on your stomach while you ride the waves. This makes the sport a great choice for people who may have less balance, or who have other issues with their legs or feet.
Bodyboarding is also great for people who want to learn how to surf since it uses a lot of the same skills but it’s a lot easier for beginners.
Safety While Bodyboarding
It’s really important to be safe while you learn how to bodyboard. First, if you’re not a strong swimmer, you should work on getting your skills up to par before you begin bodyboarding.
It’s also best to have good equipment while you’re bodyboarding. If you’re shopping for a bodyboard, check out these tips on finding the best ones. Make sure that you have a leash connected from your wrist to your bodyboard, too, so it doesn’t end up floating away and getting lost at sea.
To keep your speed up, you’ll want to have flippers or bodyboarding fins so that you can catch the waves with ease. If you don’t already have one, you should buy a wetsuit to wear while you’re bodyboarding.
Learning to Bodyboard
When you start bodyboarding, you’ll want to begin by surveying the ocean and seeing how the weather is affecting it that day.
Once you’ve got a handle on the water, start by wading into the water until you’re around knee-high. Then, position yourself on the board. The bottom of the board should be under your lower belly, and make sure that the board is straight so you don’t end up flipping off the board.
Now, you’ll be all set to paddle out to the waves. Look for smaller waves when you’re first starting, to prevent yourself from getting injured or overwhelmed. Position yourself so the wave is behind you. Once it gets close, start kicking as fast as you can.
The wave should catch up with you, and you should be able to steer your direction on the wave as needed. Simply lean your hips and position your elbows in the direction you choose to go. You can then ride the wave until you get too close to shore. Voila! It’s time to start the whole process of bodyboarding again.
How to Bodyboard? Get Started Today
With time and practice, you’ll know how to bodyboard in no time at all. So what are you waiting for? Head out to the ocean and start practicing your moves.
Are you looking for more information on outdoor activities you can try out? Check out some of the other articles on this website today.
