How To Bodyboard

Want to learn how to bodyboard? Bodyboarding (also known as boogie boarding) is a sport involving a sawed-off surfboard. It's much easier to learn than surfing, which can take years to perfect; however, it is still a dangerous activity and most beginner bodyboarders will spend more time wiping than actually riding a wave.

To bodyboard, you will need:

• A bodyboard
• Fins
• A wetsuit
  

1. Position yourself on your board so that your hips are touching the bottom end of the board. Use your hands to hold the top end of the board, with your elbows resting on the board. Your head should be up and your back slightly arched.
2. Paddle out. Keep your fins under the surface of the water as you paddle.
3. Choose your wave. When first learning to bodyboard, don't pick a big wave. Make sure to pick a wave that isn't right about to break. Determine which side of the wave's face you want to ride along, the right or the left.
4. Once you have chosen which side you want to ride, reposition your body. If you go left, position your body on the left side of the board, with your right arm holding on to the outside right edge of the board (the rail) while your left arm continues to hold the left top side of the board. If you are going right, simply do the opposite.
5. Speed up. To speed up, simply position your body further forward on the board and either lift your right foot out of the wave (if you are going left) or your right foot, depending on which side of the wave you are riding. If you need to slow down, drag your feet through the water.