Bodyboarding, beginner’s guide

Bodyboarding is a water sport that is practiced with the body attached to the board. Some consider it the little brother of surfing and use it as a first contact with the waves. Most people, on the other hand, practice it for the variety of tricks that can be performed. Whatever your case may be, if you have decided to start practicing this sport, don’t miss any information from this beginner’s guide to bodyboarding.

Bodyboarding and surfing, two very different sports

If you compare bodyboarding to surfing, you will realize that these two sports have few things in common, apart from being practiced with boards and used to catch waves. Each of them has very different characteristics, ranging from the stance to the necessary materials to practice.

Bodyboarding is a sport that is performed on a much smaller board, with a wider body, but significantly smaller than surfboards. A bodyboard is designed to keep the body attached to it, in a prone position lying face down, and not for performing tricks standing up, although one variation of bodyboarding involves surfing on the board while kneeling (Drop Knee).

Difference between Surfing and Bodyboarding

Necessary equipment

If you are thinking about getting into bodyboarding, here are the basic materials you need to start:

• Bodyboard. We recommend reading this article to learn how to choose your bodyboard.
• Bodyboard leash. It is a strap used to secure the bodyboard. It is an essential safety element that will help you retrieve the board in case you fall off.
• Neoprene wetsuit to protect yourself from the cold.
• Bodyboarding fins. These are used to generate more propulsion when catching waves and to help you cover more distance in the water with less physical effort. There are accessories available to secure the fins and prevent them from being lost.

Approaching bodyboarding as a beginner

If you want to start practicing this sport, one of the first steps in bodyboarding is learning how to position yourself on the board. Place it on the sandy beach and lie down on it. Hold the front part of the board, also known as the nose, with your hands, keeping your arms flexed. Your abdomen should rest on the back part of the board, known as the tail.

Our Team Rider Amaury Lavherne, 2-time world champion, explaining how to position your body on the board

The paddling motion towards the waves is done with your arms and legs. Your arms are positioned on both sides of the board, displacing the water with a swimming-like motion. With your feet, you should kick beneath the water to propel yourself.

Sebas, founder of mundo-surf, paddling in Maldives

Duck Dive

A basic technique in bodyboarding is the duck dive. It involves passing under the waves after they have already broken. This step is necessary to position yourself beyond the impact zone, where the waves you are interested in are located.

When you are close to the breaking wave, shift your weight forward and press the front of the board downward. With your knee, push the back down as low as possible. Move your feet forcefully and let the wave pass over you. To resurface, simply lean upward.

Sebas duck diving with his bodyboard