How to Catch a Wave on a Bodyboard
The key to bodyboarding is getting out at the right time to the right spot and catching wave after wave. If you've never bodyboarded before, you may very well find yourself missing one wave after the other. However, learn a few basics and you'll be riding waves all day.
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Instructions
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Put your wetsuit on. Wetsuits will help protect you from cold water and will also protect your chest from getting scraped by the bodyboard and sand. You could also wear a wetshirt and bathing suit. Put on your fins, which will help you propel your board when you kick.
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Strap your leash to your non-dominant arm (left arm for right-handers). The leash is attached to your bodyboard and should have a velcro wriststrap. It will keep you from losing your bodyboard out at sea, and will help prevent it from hitting anyone else.
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Get out when the waves are breaking. Waves are at a premium; the right waves for bodyboarding are not always swelling. Although you can bodyboard on a variety of waves, you are looking for a larger, rolling wave that will give you a long, fast ride. Walk through the shallow water with your board and jump in once it gets deeper.
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Swim out beyond the break to the point where the waves begin to crest. Lie with your stomach on top of the board, your nose about even with the front edge and kick with your feet (and fins) while holding the front edge with both hands. You can also lean a little further forward and use your arms to help paddle. If a wave is about to break on top of you, get off the board and dive into the water underneath it. Your leash will keep the board close.
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Once you have a spot out past the break, continue to lie on the board with your weight centered and look out to sea. Don't just go for the first little wave that comes along or you might miss a better one behind it. Look for a larger wave that looks as though it will crest right where you are floating.
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Get ready. When you see the wave approaching, turn around so you're looking at the shore, keeping your weight centered on your board. Hold on to the front edge.
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Begin kicking to catch the wave. As the wave rolls under you, kick as needed to make sure that you're on top of the wave and begin riding it. Don't go too far ahead or the wave will crash on you and you'll take a nasty spill. If you're too far back, you'll miss it. You should feel the momentum of the wave grab you and begin to thrust you forward.
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Now that you've caught the wave, ride it out. You can go left or right on the wave by leaning your board and weight to one side while putting your opposite hand on the side rail of the board. If the wave keeps rolling and you've missed it, get back into position and try for the next one.
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Tips & Warnings
Bodyboarding is very easy to learn, but timing and catching waves may take a couple of tries.
Respect the ocean. Bodyboarding and the ocean in general are inherently dangerous. If the waves are too rough for your boarding or swimming ability, get out of the water.
Be aware of dangers including rocks and jetties. Bodyboard well away from any hazards.
Be mindful of lifeguards on duty. If there are none, you're out on your own.
