How to Body Surf in the Ocean

Body surfing in the ocean may be one of the easiest--and cheapest--things you can do at the beach. It only takes a little skill, some leg power and good timing. There's not a lot of tricks to it, you just have to catch a wave and learn how to use momentum; sort of like surfing, only your body is the surf board.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Loosen up a little by swimming around in the ocean. Be sure there are no jelly fish floating around.

2. Swim out to where the waves are breaking and watch them for a little while, getting a sense of how fast and strong they are.

3. Move out a little further, just beyond where the waves are breaking, and turn your body towards the beach.

4. Look back at the waves cresting. They will come in fours; you want the last wave. As it approaches, dive forward and get into the trough of the wave.

5. Start kicking until you get into the trough and can feel the wave carrying you forward.

6. Outstretch your arms and kick a few more times. Get your body in front of the wave so it is pushing your body forward. You should be about halfway in front of the wave, giving enough drag for the wave to carry you along.

7. Keep your head down and let the wave carry you to the beach.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice makes perfect. If you are really good, you can surf even a small wave all the way to shore. Always count the wave sets; the last wave is always the largest.

Resources

• Bodysurfing championships

Who Can Help Sponsored

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[Alisiane]

on 10/4/2008 I watched a movie this weekend that has me convinced I want to try my hand at surfing. Not traditionally a girl activity or a black girl activity I wasn't sure where to start researching, but your article was a good starting place...thanks!