How to Ride a Skimboard

Humans will find sport and recreation in everything, even the receding waves. Riding a skimboard, however, takes great balance and good timing.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Skimboards
• Wet Suits

1. Choose your skimboard. The most common ones are about 2 1/2 feet long, almost oval in shape, with one pointed end and a wide, square tail. The board is very thin and there is no fin.

2. Choose your beach. A flat beach will give you a longer, gentle ride, while a steep one will provide speed and brevity.

3. 

   Grasp the board in both hands, one midway along each edge.

4. Hold the board to one side of your body.

5. Start near the water and learn the timing of the waves.

6. 

   Run, approaching the waves at a 45-degree angle.

7. 

   Throw the board flat onto the shallow water as the wave recedes to a depth of 3 inches. Amazingly, it will skim.

8. 

   Leap onto the board such that your body faces sideways - one foot forward, one back ' toes pointed to the side (like on a skateboard, snowboard or surfboard).

9. 

   Keep your feet underneath you by shifting your weight forward.

10. Whoop out a war cry as you skim across the shallow water like a Greek sea god at play.

Tips & Warnings

• Some boards are made longer. With these (and a good deal of experience), riders can skim out to an approaching wave, catch it, then ride in.
• Dress according to climate, and use a wetsuit as necessary.
• Hang loose, dude.
• Do not try to turn as in other board sports. The skimboard will catch an edge in the shallow water and spill you.
• Be prepared to find yourself kicking the skimboard out and falling backward a lot.
• If you have any condition that would impair or limit your ability to engage in physical activity, please consult a physician before attempting this activity. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

Who Can Help Sponsored

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[skimtastic]

on 5/30/2009 Some of the best starter boards and pro boards can be bought on Skimtastic.com - it's definitely one of the sickest sites and you can choose any color and type of board you want. I would definitely get my first or second board from Apex or Square Skimboards.

on 9/7/2006 I have been riding only a week, but I'm already catching big waves. If you try what I do you're sure not to wipe out. Wait until you see two very big waves, usually in high tide, then get ready and run. Right before they come in, start running and then you can catch two big waves and you won't wipe out. One wave will be there to catch you if you fall. It worked for me.

on 8/8/2006 I've been skimboarding for about 3 years now, I've taught myself just about everything I know. I did a recent experiment; I used to always go when the water was receding, but this is not correct if you want to do wave riding. You should go right when the wave breaks and the water is rushing toward you. I know this may seem awkward, but it works. When water is coming toward shore and you go, it allows you to float and increases your speed. I used to always go when the water was receding and kept wondering why about 5 seconds later I would find myself sinking when I hit the deeper water. It's all in the direction of the water.

If you run about 8 miles per hour and the water is being sucked out at about 5 miles per hour, you are only getting a speed of 3 miles per hour, and you will find yourself sinking in no time. However, if the water is rushing onshore at 5 miles per hour and you are running at about 8 miles per hour, you will have a speed of about 11 miles per hour and you will be able to catch that wave you've had your eye on. Hope this tip helps you, I know it has done wonders for me and I can catch away just about anytime now. Experiment with this, it's helped me so much and you will definitely notice the difference!

on 7/28/2006 You can't start turning unless you know how to ride the board a good distance. All you do is extend your arm to the other side of the board and press down. Be careful, if the beach has big waves they can smash right into you. When you turn you should be bent down. If you don't want to turn anymore, you can get up.

on 7/24/2006 If you get little dings in your board that crack the resin on top, you need to fix them or else your board will rot. Don't worry, just buy some Super glue, put it in the holes and wait a couple of minutes and your board is good to go.