Whether you’re a beginner or an intermediate rider, you’ll undoubtedly want to up your skills.
We joined Jay and Vicki Reale from eBodyboarding.com to share our top tips on how to improve your bodyboarding and shred like a pro!
Tip 1 - Maximise the number of waves you catch
The more waves you catch, the quicker you’ll improve. The key to catching those waves is to paddle into them with minimal effort. To catch waves efficiently, position yourself in front of the peak on the steepest part of the wave. Put your hands on the front corners of the nose. When you paddle with your feet, keep your arms locked. This will create an equilateral triangle shape from your hand to your armpit, to your waist and along the deck of your board.
In that position, you’ll stay flat in the water and flow into the wave. If you paddle with your arms bent, you’ll push water like a snow plough. Keep your board flat. The more you do this, the more effective you’ll be at catching more waves.
Tip 2 - Use the correct hand position
It’s key to controlling and getting the maximum performance out of your board. If you are going right on the wave, your hand should be on the top corner of your board. The side of your arm and your elbow naturally put pressure on the right edge of the board. Your wrist should bend creating a ‘claw’ shape with your hand. This allows you to apply pressure underneath the board and pull up the top right hand corner.
Position your left hand one third of the way down the left rail on the board so that you have that leverage to be able to pull it up. Keep your elbow in the air for maximum control. It’ll keep the rail in the wave face.
Tip 3 - Use the right size board
Find a board that fits your body shape. If you’re board’s too long it’ll be cumbersome and if it’s too short, you’ll struggle to catch waves. Someone who’s 6ft tall may need a 42inch board. A shorter female will need a smaller board. A heavier rider will benefit from more volume.
To figure out the right size board for you, put the tail on the ground with the board against your body. Make sure the nose reaches within an inch of your belly button. Or, hold the board with the nose against your chin. The tail should reach the top of your knees.
Choose the right board for the waves. You’ll need a slightly longer board for small waves to make it easier to catch them. For bigger, barreling waves you’ll need a smaller board for easier control.
Tip 4 - Lunge your weight forward for maximum speed
Get your upper torso as far forward on your board as you can without nose diving. This will take some practice! To do it, arch your back, pull your head up, push your chin out, and keep a crease in the nape of your neck. Keep your head over your front hand to maintain your speed and inertia moving forward.
For minimal drag, keep your knees and ankles together. Look and lunge in the direction you want to go.
All footage shot on our recent Bodyboard Holidays trip to California
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If you want to learn to Bodyboard or improve your riding check out our Bodyboard School; https://bodyboard-school.com
Or if you fancy going on a trip visit Bodyboard Holidays; https://bodyboard-holidays.com