Water Sports - Four Things You Should Know Before You Try Bodyboarding

So you've obtained a bodyboard and are ready to trybe torn off of your feet by the turbulence of the
some ocean sports. What should you think about tobreaking waves.UNDERSTAND THE MOTION IN THE
insure the safest and most fun surfingOCEAN
experience?KNOW YOUR LIMITSEvery beach has it's own distinct characteristics,
Because of the easy beginning learning curve youthough these may change with the surf conditions.
may be tempted to try swimming out in conditions thatWaves may break in specific locations or in specific
are beyond your control. Maybe the surf is toodirections. There may be currents could help you get
powerful or breaking too far from shore for yourout past the breaking waves or if you are not aware
swimming experience. Maybe that particular beach has(or in conditions that exceed your limitations) sweep
rocks or reef that may harm you if you make ayou away from the beach. Incorrect responses to
mistake while learning. Become familiar with beachocean conditions may zap your energy or turn a
postings and talk to lifeguards if the beach ormanageable situation into one that requires rescue.
conditions are unfamiliar to you.USE PROPER SWIMMany beaches have piers or rock jetties that can
FINSeither help shape the waves or present dangerous
Fins are used by all but a select few bodyboarders.obstacles.UNDERSTAND AND RESPECT THE
Relying on arm strength alone is not recommended.RULES OF WAVE RIDING
Since bodyboards are not as fast as surfboards youChances are you won't be alone in the ocean. There
will expend much more energy to travel less distanceare "unwritten" rules of priority shared by both
using only your arms. With fins you can switchbodyboarding and surfing. Following these rules not
between arm paddling and leg kicking to avoidonly maintain a sense of harmony in these water
exhausting your muscle strength. It is also much easiersports, they also minimize the chance of injuring you
to catch waves while kicking with fins since you canand your fellow wave riders.Now it's time to have
use your arms to help "push" your board forward andsome fun, so go catch some waves!Steve Alexander
into the wave.Use only fins designed for water sports( is a seasoned bodyboarder with 20 years
like bodyboarding that take place in the surf zone.experience riding waves in California, Mexico, and
Diving fins are not designed for surfing activities. ThereHawaii. Connections with bodyboard manufacturers
are two problems with fins designed for diving: theincluding Element Bodyboarding and JL Designs have
length of the blade makes it difficult to generate speedalso given him insight into production aspects and he
fast enough to catch a moving wave and they mayhas custom-designed many of his own bodyboards.