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