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Category: Hobbies & Recreation
I remember a few summers ago I was really interested in learning how to surf. Being a teenager in California, surfing is the thing to do. For about 6 months I saved my money to buy a surfboard. Then, IT happened. I GOT MY FIRST CREDIT CARD. Without thinking twice I headed out to the local surf shop and bought the first stick(surfboard) that looked good to me. For $300 I got a 9' 7" monster that I somehow managed to get home. Well, a few days later, I managed to get out to the beach. I got into the water, flopped down on my board and tried to paddle. About 15 minutes later I was sitting on the beach watching waves because I had totally failed, and spent 300 dollars on a board that to this day isn't being used.
I found body boarding not much longer after that. Body boarding is a safe, easy, and inexpesive alternative to surfing. You can be out catching waves in one afternoon!
Equipment Needed:
1. A board--(US$) $30-275 (Board should come up to your naval)
2. A leash--Usually comes with the board, if not they're about (US$) $20
3. Swim fins--(US$)$25-50 (Very important piece of equipment, should fit snug and comfortable). Note: If you don't wanna spend that much money on swim fins, you can usually find a really cheap pair of diving fins and cut them down a few inches. They work just as well, sometimes even better!
4. An ocean with waves (of course)
5. Board wax (optional)
6. Wet Suit (optional)
7. Fin sox (optional, for comfort only)
8. Fin savers (optional, they keep your fins attached to your legs so you don't lose them)
9. Read this article
Paddling Out:
Planning your paddle out is vital. You should first look to see which direction, and the location at which the waves are breaking. The point at which the waves are breaking is where you DON'T want to be while paddling out.
At first, walking in your fins will be very hard. I have taken many falls due to cumbersome flippers. It is important to lift your feet high and bend your knees. When initially walking in the water with flippers, it might help to walk backwards until you get used to them. I know this looks funny but it really helps.
When you're about waist deep in water, go ahead and lay down on your board. The tail of the board should be at about your waist. Now with both hands on the nose of the board, begin to kick your feet in an alternating flow. Always remember to keep your fins below the water. Fast choppy kicks get no results and only tire you out. Easy does it.
You also have the option of paddling with your arms. This is a bit more difficult to do and requires that you apply wax first. If your sponge (board) isn't waxed, it will just keep sliding out from under you. Center your weight on the board so that the nose is only a inch to two inches above the water. Now paddle with you arms as if you were swimming. Cup your hands and push the water under your board and aways from you, like a "s". Once you are out past the breakers (where the waves are breaking) you can relax and catch your breath for a while. If you are having trouble getting out because you are getting hammered by waves, you can use a very useful technique called the 'duckdive'
Which brings us to our next lesson...
The Duck Dive:
The duck dive is a very simple manuever that will help you get out past the breaking waves. When you're paddling out and a wave is about to break right on you, use a duck dive. Put one knee on the tail of the board. Place your hands on the sides of the board near the nose.
As the breaking wave approches, plunge the nose of the board under water and at the same time press your knee down on the tail. Remember to keep the nose pointed down. If the the nose is pointed up, the wave will catch you and flip you backwards into the sand. This isn't fun.
If done correctly, you will feel a sudden whip of the waves passing over you (if you're wearing shorts, make sure they're tight or they'll be around your ankles) and you will come out the back safe and ready to keep paddling.
Catching A Wave:
Now comes the fun part. Look for a wave that is a good size for you. Don't try to ride big waves too early.
Now when you spot a good wave: Turn towards the beach and begin to kick your feet again. You will feel yourself being picked up by the wave. When you start sliding down the face of the wave, you know you've caught it.
If you don't start sliding down the face of the wave, you probably don't have enough speed. No problem. Press down a little on the nose of the board. Not too much though. Too much pressure can cause you to flip right over the top of the wave. This is no fun.
If you still don't have enough speed, you can paddle with your arms as well. Most spongers (bodyboarders) paddle with only one arm when trying to catch a wave. How to determine what arm to paddle with depends on which direction you are going on the wave. If you are going to your left, paddle with your right arm and vice virsa.
Riding a Wave:
Now that you are an expert at catching waves, you might want to learn a little about manuevering on the wave.
The first couple of times, you can just ride the waves in to the beach. This gets a little boring after a while. To look really cool on the waves, you'll have to learn how to run a trim line.
A trim line is going sideways on a wave, i.e. riding it either left or right. When you drop into a wave, instead of going straight out, ride in the direction that the wave is breaking. If you're going left to right, place your right hand on the nose of the board and your left hand on the side of the board near the nose. (If you're going right to left on a wave, the reverse applies.) Lifting your fins out of the water will greatly increase your speed. If you feel you're going too fast, just put your feet back in the water to slow down. When you're on the wave, pull up with the hand thats on the side of the board and then release it. This will cause you to turn.
This Concludes my little tutorial on bodyboarding. Always remember to stay safe, and have fun. Wear sunblock on sunny days, and be courtious to others in the water.
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Submitted By
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John Espino |
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Description
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Sponger in California |
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Web Page
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