In this article we will shortly explain:
- Where does Bodyboarding come from?
- What is the difference between Bodyboarding and Boogie Boarding?
- How you should choose your first Bodyboard
- The basic equipment you need for Bodyboarding
- How to Bodyboard: prepare yourself for your first session – what you need to know and which mistakes you should try to avoid
- Who is Bodyboarding right for? Is it hard to learn?
So let’s dive right in!
Bodyboarding: Where does it come from, what is it and what’s the difference to Boogie Boarding?
Bodyboarding and boogie boarding came from a carefree period of the 1970s, when the world seemed infinitely open. In Hawaii during that time, Tom Morey got the inspiration for a boogie board aka. bodyboard after hearing a passage from a Baha’i prayer: “convey upon me, oh, my God, a thought which will turn this planet into a rose garden”.
He took some foam and newspaper, spliced them together and got a working boogie board. Tom tested the board off the coast of Hawaii’s Big Island but got stuck when trying to name it.
He went with “boogie board” since riding the waves felt as smooth as (boogie) jazz.
Those were simpler times.The demand was so big he couldn’t keep up producing them. He sold the rights to an SF toy company and moved on. The company trademarked the name “boogie board,” with competitors working around the trademark by naming their products — bodyboard.
By the way: we assume that you already know the difference between Bodyboarding and Surfing. If you’re not sure about it, just check out our comparison “Bodyboarding vs Surfing“.
What Is the Difference between Bodyboarding and Boogie Boarding?
There is a small difference between the two, namely boogie boards being entry-level and usually sold to children and teenagers. Boogie Boards are typically smaller and more suitable for gentler waves. In comparison, bodyboards are tougher, larger and most often used by more advanced riders.
However, nowadays you also easily find Bodyboards which are perfect for beginners, as the main reason for difference come from the trademarking of the term “Boogie Board”.
What is Bodyboarding?
Bodyboarding is very similar to surfing in that you are catching and riding waves.
The main difference to surfing, however, is that you lie prone on the board rather than stand up.
One significant advantage of bodyboarding is the ability to catch steeper and deeper waves than can typically be taken on a surf board. Additionally, because you lie prone on the board, there are two more main differences (and advantages) of bodyboarding compared to ‘normal’ surfing:
- Bodyboards are much smaller in size: You can transport them easily in you trunk and they need much less space to store.
- Bodyboarding is much easier to learn as you lie on the board and do not need to learn how to stand up when riding the waves.
However, the art has evolved a lot since Tom Morey first introduced the world to bodyboarding, of course. Today, two variants called drop-knee and stand-up bodyboarding have taken some enthusiasts beyond the standard prone position.
What you really need to know about Bodyboarding before you start!
The most important features of a Bodyboard
Besides the core material there are some important features of a Bodyboard, especially regarding its shape:
- The size of the Bodyboard
- Thickness and Width
- Stringers
- The Tail and the Nose
- and some more
We don’t go into the details here. If you want to have more information about the important features of a bodyboard and why they are important when picking one, you should have a look at our Bodyboard Size Chart.
How To Pick the Right Bodyboard
Advanced and expert riders go with smaller and narrower boards. They know exactly the size that fits their body, which helps improve their performance in the water. For beginners, larger boards are OK, giving them more stability at the expense of speed. If you’re just starting out, any bodyboard will do, just to help you get your feet wet.
Go with a bodyboard that is suitable for your weight but also one that lets you train and showcase your skills.
Professional Bodyboarders can do cool tricks with their small, narrow boards. They also know how to lower their center of mass at the right moment to avoid falling off. The variety of tricks they perform ranges from airs to spins and even flips. You can’t imagine: just check a small selection of what they are capable of in the video!
But hey: everybody starts small and, most importantly, you do not need to ride on this level in order to have fun with bodyboarding! We promise: you will never forget the thrill you feel when you caught your first wave!
And to help you with that you can find a small selection of good entry – level bodyboards for a fair price below.
All the entry-level Bodyboards shown above are made out of an EPS core. While they are great products for your first sessions in the waves, do not expect to last them for several years. If you look for a more durable and stiff board, you should switch to a Bodyboard with a PE or PP core.
Maybe you do not know yet what the different Bodyboard Core Materials are and how they influence the properties of a Bodyboard?
Then you should definitely check out our detailed overview over the different types of Bodyboards! The knowledge given therein will surely help you to find the best Bodyboard which suits your personal needs!
What Is the Main Equipment Needed?
If you are planning to start with bodyboarding on a regular basis, you should think about adding some more basic equipment. Besides the bodyboard, the equipment you’ll need is:
- a wetsuit (or at least a lycra shirt)
- leash
- wax
- flippers (aka fins)
- carry bag
That’s all! Bodyboarding is not only fun, it is also really affordable to start with!
Bodyboard Wetsuit
A wetsuit will keep you warm in the water. Believe it or not, the biggest threat in the open water is getting chilled, which can happen even in 90 °F weather due to cold winds and cold water.
Another key thing is comfort: The wetsuit prevents your skin from abrading and burning caused by sand and saltwater.
The most important thing with wetsuits is that you really feel comfortable when wearing it. If you’re not feeling the wetsuit as your second skin, you’ll always be distracted by it, which will impact your performance in the water.
Entry – level wetsuits are not very usable. Their zippers won’t hold well and the wetsuit material might degrade quickly. They can most often be rented but you should aim to get your own straight away.
However: if you only ride in warm waters and summertime, then you can also skip the purchase of a wetsuit and use lycra shirts or Rashguards. They won’t keep you warm, but they prevent the skin from abrading, which is rather painful, believe us…
Bodyboard Leash
A leash makes you and the bodyboard two inseparable pals in the water. The most common leash style attaches to your wrist with a cuff and to the board with a plug, with the cord in between.The plug can be placed left, right or in the middle of the bodyboard. This should match your arm preference
- if you’re left – handed, place it on the left so it interferes less with your paddling.
- if you’re right – handed, place it on the right
- The middle placement is for when you’re ambidextrous or just like using both arms.
Again, entry – level leashes are not suitable for long – term use and will degrade quickly but will help you figure out what you like and want. Longer cords of any quality tend to get tangled, clogged with debris and can snap when under stress, so don’t go for the longest cord possible.
Coiled leashes are generally preferred to straight ones so that the cord doesn’t get in the way as you ride.
As far as length is concerned, you want to choose a leash that provides just enough slack without too much. For most people, a five foot leash is perfect.
If you are using a bicep leash, however, you should add in an extra foot of length.
Bodyboard Carry Bag
Most bodyboarders don’t absolutely need a carry bag. If you are pulling up close to the shore, grabbing your board out of your trunk, and hitting the water, you can make do without it.
But if you’ve typically walking a good distance before you reach the sand, or if you have a lot of extra gear to bring along, a bodyboard carry bag will make life much easier.Another reason to have a carry bag is if you plan to travel by plane and take your bodyboard with you.
If you decide to purchase a carry bag, you should look for one with adjustable straps and side pouches for extra storage space (at least to store the fins). If it has a mesh bottom to drain water and sand, that’s even better. For longer trips or more than one board, look for foam padding or a handle to carry it by your side.
Flippers or Fins for Bodyboarding
Fins are important to maximize the power of your kicking. Without them, your kicks will be inefficient and you will quickly tire out.
The actual shape of your fins really doesn’t affect their function. So choose something you like. What does matter is the stiffness of your fins.
Beginners should opt for something flexible, as these give you easier propulsion.
Advanced boarders will often choose more rigid fins because they allow for faster acceleration, but they are much more difficult to kick in.
Waxing the Bodyboard
For smaller, easier waves, you generally don’t need to wax.
However, as you progress in the challenge of waves you take on, waxing will help you stay on the board.
Especially with new boards, which have a smoother surface, waxing may be a necessity for all but the smallest of waves.
Regarding the area where you should apply some wax, you can generally go with the approach that you apply it there where you either hold the board or where your ellbows are positioned during riding.
Consequently, for us the wax coating on the nose and rails area is the most important as it gives you a better grip when you’re in contact with the bodyboard. Some riders also apply some wax to the place where the belly and hips get in contact with the board too. Personally, we only do that once with new boards. Later you do not need to wax this area as it also reduces your manoeuvrability on and with the board.
Depending on the type of board and the wax you’re using, you might want to apply a base coating so the wax sticks better. When applying the wax, you can do circular, diagonal or parallel motions. You can also apply surf wax to your wetsuit, your hands and the top of your board. However, wetsuits are typically not designed to tolerate wax and might disintegrate after longer contact with it.
Get a wax scraper as well so you can skim off the excess. Never rely on looks alone but always feel the waxed area and test the grip. Apply more wax rather than less and then use the scraper as needed.
Wax in shade and avoid direct sunlight. The wax can melt and drip, causing a mess or setting you back to the point you have to start over. In fact, don’t leave the bodyboard in the sun at all or it can easily get ruined by the heat and the UV rays.
If the bodyboard is too glossy and the wax won’t stick, experts recommend washing it in salt water or rubbing some sand on it. If you find yourself falling off the board too much, it’s time for more wax. However, if the board feels too unstable under your feet, you might consider taking some wax off. As with all things bodyboard, it’s all about that fine balance.
Types Of Wax
There are four to five types of bodyboard wax:
- tropical: approximate temperature range 78° F and above
- warm: approximate temperature range from 68° to 78° F
- cool: approximate temperature range from 58° to 68° F
- cold: approximate temperature range from 48° to 58° F
- x – cold: approximate temperature range from 48° F and below
The kind you use depends on your preferences, the ambient air temperature and the water temperature. The reasoning why there are different type of waxes is that the cold water hardens the wax while the warm water softens it. Consequently, waxes for colder temperatures are softer and more sticky compared to those made for warm water.
As you test out each type of wax and different water temperatures, you will get an feeling which is used when and where.
We think that for most instances a single wax application is sufficient, which means that you only use one wax formula at the time. However, if you feel that you do not get the level of stickiness of the wax with enough stability (wax gets washed away too fast), you should try out an according basecoat / topcoat combination. A really good explanation how to choose the right combination of basecoat / topcoat wax you can find on the website of Mr. Zog.
Special remark: Did you know that you can have wax from Mr. Zog also in different flawors like Coconut, Rootbeer, Strawberry or Pineapple?
Dewaxing the Bodyboard
A blow dryer makes it easy to dewax your bodyboard. Turn it on and set it to blow hot air.
Don’t aim it straight at the wax but at an angle, to prevent damage done to the board. When you notice the wax melting, use a wax comb to take it off.
If you don’t have one, use anything with a sharp edge that won’t damage the board, like a business card or a debit card. Repeat as needed until all wax is gone.
Hot water is another valid method of dewaxing the board. The water should be scalding hot but not boiling, again so it doesn’t ruin the board’s material. Pour water over the board until you see the wax melting. Scrape it off just like with the blow dryer method.
Rubbing the wax with a towel will create some friction, heating the wax and helping you scrape it off as well. This is the least practical method and one that probably ruins the towel but you should know about it regardless.
How To Prepare For Your First Bodyboard Session?
We really love Bodyboarding and we think you will too. It’s just so much fun that you will leave the water stoked like never before in your life.
But as always, some basic preparation is advisable especially before your first session. The following short sections will give you all the basic information you have to have to start successfully!
What you should know for your first time in the waves
Practice a little on the beach before heading out
Practice on the ground before setting out in the water. Put your bodyboard on the ground and attach the leash. Lay on the board so that the center of your body is above the center of the bodyboard. Get a feel for which muscles you’ll be using when in the water. When you are ready to get started, find a part of the beach that isn’t too crowded and go during a time when the waves are smaller.
Bonus – Tip: Do not forget to check the wind. For your first sessions try not to go out when the wind is blowing offshore.
The first steps in the water
When you have found your spot, just head out slowly into the water. When you are about waist deep, lay on your board and just start kicking. Get used to riding around on the board a bit before you actually try to catch a wave.
When you are comfortable on the board, follow these steps to ride your first wave:
- As the wave approaches, lie on your board facing the beach.
- Start kicking, adding in a paddle with one of both hands if you are comfortable [1].
- As the wave approaches, you want to enter it before the break, then turn in the direction it is breaking [2].
- Now use the hand that is on the opposite side of the wave to hold the rail of the board while the other hand grips the nose [3].
- Keep your head in the direction you wanna ride and enjoy it!
Common Bodyboarding-Mistakes easy to avoid
As always: no master has been ever trained in one day! However, we can give you some easy tipps which will help you to get more comfortable faster.
- Don’t grab at the rail when it is in the water. You will have a hard time maintaining balance and they will create drag underwater.
- Keep your eyes on where you are going. In addition to avoiding obstacles and other people, you want to be aware of where the waves are breaking.
- Respect other people and where they’re headed in the water. Those closest to the wave get a chance to ride it first. Also, ask for the beach – specific rules and dangers like rip currents before setting out in the water.
- Don’t rely on just your feet. Paddling with your hands at times can give you extra momentum to better ride a wave.
First Time In the Water: Let the ocean carry you
You should get comfortable in the water or at least not be afraid of it. The ocean has a mind of its own and a language through which it speaks to every living creature in it, including you. Granted, the language is not as verbose as human languages but is just as expressive. You need to patiently listen and feel the ocean rather than just launch yourself into the waves.
Water has considerable weight and force; the ocean has a virtually endless supply of it.If you fight the ocean, you will always lose miserably and have no fun at all.
Don’t resist the water and instead let it carry you wherever it may, with you only adjusting the direction a little bit. The goal of bodyboarding is to listen to the ocean, adapt to it and ride the waves until you feel your heart fill with freedom and childlike glee.
IMPORTANT Safety Tip:
Check on the specific conditions of every beach you are boarding at. You need to determine where the rip tides are. If you get caught in a rip tide, remember that it won’t pull you under – only out. Keep calm, float on your board, and kick yourself perpendicular to the shore until you are out of the rip current.
Who Is Bodyboarding Right For? Is Bodyboarding hard to learn?
Bodyboarding is a fine exercise for everyone who likes splashing around in the water and surfing the waves. If you like basking in the sun and taking in the fresh air, you’ll have a blast. If you love the thrill of speed and the exhilaration of just a little bit of danger, all the better.
And remember: Bodyboarding is not really hard to learn and reach a level on which you really can have fun in the waves. Just start small, consider the tips we’ve given you and take it step by step.
Of course, if you then plan to ride bigger waves or start learning some tricks, it Bodyboarding becomes more an more a challenge and will definitely never be boring. So, we think, Bodyboarding is just the perfect sport for almost anybody.
Conclusion: Why everybody should hit the waves
Bodyboarding gives a sense of freedom like no other sport. And it’s cheap, easy and fun.
As for Tom Morey, he’s in his 80s. After a while of working for Boeing, he got into the surf scene and started thinking up new surf gadgets, creating Swizzle, a surfboard that didn’t become as popular as the original boogie board. Still, the thrill of bodyboarding courses through his veins and will keep him alive for years to come, as we hope it will do for you!
More helpful information about Bodyboarding
We really hope that you now will explore the thrill of Bodyboarding. If you need more helpful information to get started or to improve your skill level – we’ve got you covered!
Check out our explanatory articles about the most important Bodyboard features like stringers, tail form or or the rail ratio. Or learn everything you need to know about the right size of a Bodyboard, the Bodyboard leash, how to easily install the leash plug and Bodyboard fins.
