Tips & Tricks.

Ok here I will give a brief overview of the tricks and tips involved in bodyboarding, hopefully this will have some effect on some of you and you will gain a better bodyboarding technique. If you know of any new tricks that you may have seen or made up yourself send em in! and I will add them.

- Beginner -

Paddling:

This is simple and easy to get the hang of, simply lay on your board arch your back and using one arm after the other stroke deeply through the water (keep your arms straight) and look straight ahead. When kicking keep your feet below the surface of the water.

Catching A Wave:

I recommend you start off in smaller surf 1-3 foot. Once the wave is rolling in watch to see what way it is going to break. Paddle into a position where you can see it is makeable however deep enough to pull in (only if you wish) and once the wave is around five metres away start paddling as fast and consistant towards the shore. Once you can feel the waves force keep kicking till you are sure your on the wave, don't lean to far back on your board as you need speed.

Bottom Turn:

Once you are on a wave, you need to do a bottom turn, once you hit the bottom on the wave apply force to the direction of the board you wish to go (i.e the wave is breaking left apply pressure to the left side of your board) it is also helpful if you can bend your inside leg. Now you will sharply turn once you have completed the bottom turn even out your weight and continue riding the wave.

- Intermediate -

Pulling In & Out:

When you are on a wave which is breaking consistantly, look for how the wave will break, if you can see the wave is about to break over you pull up on your board (by lifting the front of your board) this will slow you down slightly, however keep your speed. Now keep riding if the wave does not throw over pull up again. Now you should be inside how deep you are is depending on how deep you took off, now once in the barrel keep your speed and watch out that the wave does not close out and is breaking nicely. If you ride the barrel long enough you will either be spat out or ride out, as the barrel does slow down.

Barrel Roll:

When inside the barrel, and is breaking above you (you can see the lip) you can atempt a barrel roll. Which the hardest part is landing! now ride to the top of the wave throwing your board around in a circular action as fast as you can, this will roll you round, try to break out from the roll further up on the wave rather than end up where the lip is throwing over that way you will be sucked down.

Spinner:

A great move that is easy and looks good :) ok once you are on a clean breaking wave without a steep face gain a little speed and head up towards the lip lean forward on your board bend both legs and do a really sharp turn. Firstly try spinning into the wave, then try reverse spinners (spinning away from the wave)

- Advanced -

A.R.S (Air Roll Spin):

Ok these are for those confident boarders only! (I cannot even pull one off) ok you need alot of speed and a nice launching spot. Charge for the sip of the wave and pull off an el rollo (as quickly as you can!) then transform the ending of your roll into a spinner, so that you land on the inside of the wave.

Airs:

You need speed and a steep peak, charge and throwing your board into an upwards action postion yourself evenly once in the air to get a nice landing. Make sure you hit the lip with power, and when landing point your board downways to match the angle of the wave to keep your speed.

Standing Up:

I think this is pretty dumb, I think they should use a surfer for standing up anyways here it is. you will need to have a leg rope on your board and no flippers. Once you join the wave push your board with both arms under the water and put your feet on it in a crouching postion, now slowly stand up, you will need a bit of practise for balance but you will get the hang of it.