The best bodyboarding maneuvers for beginners and expert level

Performing bodyboarding maneuvers is a common goal for all wave lovers, whether they are just starting out in this sport or have been practicing it for a while. From the beginner level, it is possible to perform very eye-catching turns, which will increase in difficulty as you gain more skill with the board.

A bodyboarding maneuver consists of a set of actions carried out on the board, through turns or flying above the waves. For this, it is necessary to maintain balance and demonstrate one’s true abilities. In this article, we will show you some of the best bodyboarding maneuvers for beginners and also for bodyboarders who are already at an advanced level.

Bodyboarding maneuvers

There are two types of bodyboarding maneuvers that can be performed with the board:

Basics: The board remains in contact with the water at all times.
Aerials: These maneuvers are performed with the board in the air, meaning it is not in contact with the water. Therefore, they require greater skill.

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Basic maneuvers:

Take-off: It is the simplest maneuver with your bodyboard and the first thing you always do to catch a wave. Although not considered a specific maneuver, learning the take-off is essential for bodyboarding. It translates to “despegue” in Spanish, which is precisely what you do with your bodyboard. Lying on the board, you paddle until you reach the wave. After starting to paddle to catch the wave, you begin to descend along its face. Once you feel it carrying you, you stop paddling to glide along the wave. When descending the wave’s face, you do so perpendicularly, to the right or left, depending on the wave’s direction. Thanks to the wave’s force and energy, you gain speed, which is crucial for any maneuver.

Bottom Turn: Once you descend from the wave after the take-off, you move away from the breaking zone. From the lowest part, you execute a turn to quickly climb back up the wave’s face to face the lip.

Cut Back: This trick involves making sharp changes in direction, exiting the wave and re-entering through the most powerful section.

Drop knee: Although not a maneuver per se, it is a bodyboarding style that is widely practiced in this sport. It involves facing the wave with one knee on the board while the other leg is supported with the foot.

360º: It is a basic bodyboarding maneuver for beginners. It is often the first one learned and involves making a complete rotation facing the wave’s face with your board while riding the wave. Use the edge of the board to initiate the spin while keeping your legs lifted and crossed.

Reverse: It consists of performing a complete spin with your bodyboard on the wave, but in the opposite direction of the conventional 360º. The rotation starts similarly to a cutback but finishes with a full spin in the opposite direction.

Stand Up: Similar to Drop Knee, it’s more of a technique than a trick. The goal is to stand up on the board as if it were a surfboard. The size of the bodyboard makes it more challenging than on a surfboard. That’s why there are specific bodyboards designed for this practice, usually larger than 44″.

Aerial maneuvers

Air Rollo: It’s a fundamental maneuver in aerial maneuvers. For this bodyboarding maneuver, you need to generate maximum speed towards the lip of the wave and then execute a spin in the air.

Aerial 360º: This is a maneuver for bodyboarders with advanced skills. Many professionals consider it to be one of the most challenging maneuvers to execute correctly. It involves performing a full 360º spin while in the air and landing back on the same wave to continue riding it.

Air Roll Spin (ARS): This maneuver combines the classic Air Rollo with the 360º. It requires a lot of speed and momentum to reach the lip of the wave and perform a backspin, similar to El Rollo or Air Roll. Then, while in the air, the movement is adjusted to complete a 360º spin while descending and land on the wave.

Inverted air: Once you reach the top of the wave, you elevate yourself above it, with the slick of the board facing upward and your back facing the water, in an inverted position. You then return to the natural position to land the maneuver.

Backflip: One of the most difficult and high-risk bodyboarding maneuvers. It involves approaching the wave’s lip with speed, hitting it, and performing a backward somersault, rotating over your back. You need to be confident when attempting it, as failing to complete the rotation could result in a headfirst fall, leading to a significant cervical injury.

Learning to perform these bodyboarding maneuvers is relatively straightforward but requires some dedication on your part. With practice, you’ll quickly notice your skill level improving. If you enjoy the sensation of riding waves, these maneuvers will enhance your experience of gliding through them. Remember to use the best bodyboarding equipment to achieve optimal results.