How to Do the Basic Ride when Skimboarding

Skimboarding's a popular watersport that's sort of like a blend of surfing and skateboarding. Unlike surfing, skimboarding begins on the land, where you grip your board and charge into the surf. Like surfing, skimboarding ends with you riding the wave into shore. Riding waves on a skimboard's an advanced technique, but you can follow these steps to learn the basics of the sport.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Head to a flat beach with smooth sand. Wide, flat beaches are ideal, especially when they're free of shells, rocks and flotsam.

2. Stand back from the water and watch the waves as they roll in. Make sure you've room to run and build speed before hitting the water.

3. Wait for a pair of strong waves before starting your run. Once the first wave breaks and washes onto the shore, approach the water with your board, gradually building speed.

4. Drop your board onto the sand so it's facing into the wave. You might get a longer ride if you point your board more down the beach than into the water, depending on the sand's structure.

5. Hop onto the board with both feet. Most skimboarders touch the board with the back foot first, which helps them stay on balance as they set down the front.

6. Lower your center of gravity by bending your knees and ride into the surf. Also, be sure to keep more of your weight on your back foot than on the front. This prevents the skimboard's nose from dipping into the sand or surf.

7. Pump the board back and forth to preserve your momentum and lengthen your ride.

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