subject: Learn About Bodyboarding And Bodyboards [print this page] A bodyboard, known in surfing slang as a 'sponge', is a form of surfboard consisting of a small roughly rectangular piece of foam, shaped to a hydrodynamic form. The bodyboard is ridden in a similar way to the better known surfboard, but is predominately ridden lying down, (or 'prone').
It can also be ridden in a half-standing stance (known as 'dropknee') or can even be ridden standing up. The vast majority of bodyboarders usually wear swimfins on both feet to aid in paddling out and taking off.
The bodyboard differs from a surfboard in that it is much shorter. Typically they are 42 inches in length, with a squared off nose and angular rails.
They are designed to be flexible, and bodyboarders as a whole are more experimental with various materials than their stand-up cousins. The board is made up of a 'core', made from polyproylene, dow, or arcel.
These are types of plastic, and each gives a bodyboard a different amount of flex and control for the rider. Glued to this core is a thick plastic bottom (known as the 'slick') which gives the board strength and speed.
The top of the board (the deck) is made from softer plastic to give grip and cushioning to the rider. Unlike a surfboard, there is no fin or skegs allowing the rider to rotate the board.
But, like the surfboard, a bodyboard can be made with a stringer (or two) to further increase its stiffness. If one so desires, a skeg can be purchased and installed in about 1 minute.
A skeg can minimize the looseness that is required for many tricks. This has led to a large decrease in the presence of skegs. It is also bad form to call a bodyboard a "Boogie Board" unless the bodyboard is actually a Boogie brand bodyboard.
Although bodyboarding is seen as surfing's easier cousin, beyond the beginner level they are equal in the time and dedication it takes to become proficient. The sports differs somewhat in attitude.
Bodyboarding is far trickier orientated than surfing, and there are hundreds of variations of maneuvers possible. It is considered rather bad form to simply ride along in a straight line.
Bodyboarders regularly go for 'lip moves' which involve riding up to the lip of the wave with as much speed as possible, and then taking to the air and performing very gymnastic maneuvers high above the surface, before slamming back down.
Bodyboarding is arguably the earliest form of surfing, and is ultimately derived from the ancient Hawaiian Paipo board, which was ridden lying down.
A quick How To:
1. Attach the leash of the board to your arm. This avoids lost boards when crashing into the water.
2. Practice on land if you're not sure how to start. Lie on the board and have your stomach area lying on top of the tail (bottom) of the board.
Place your hands at the nose (top of the board). Paddle your hands at the side of the board, like you're scooping water towards you. Kick your feet under the water for the best propelling and faster movement while bodyboarding.
3. Just ride with the wave! Get the perfect wave for yourself.
Don't get the first one you see or get one that looks too challenging for you. Once you do, immediately turn towards the beach and start kicking.
4. As you go down the face, lean slightly into the wave.
5. Set up for the barrel by stalling (pull the nose of your board up, or if it is not barreling, just keep going along). Get barreled and come out or get a closeout( wave that shuts down).
6. Ride with the wave until you come to the shallow part of the ocean (anywhere that is below knee-deep).
