How to Turn on a Wave on a Skimboard

Skimboards are made out of fiberglass and high-density foam.

Skimboarding is a shoreline water sport that resembles surfing. Skimboards are shorter than surfboards and glide over shallow water near the shoreline. Skimboarding begins with the board in your hands and the act of running toward the water and then dropping the board on the water. Skimboards do not require waves to ride, but once you get used to riding one, you can learn to skimboard toward a wave and turn on it and ride the wave to shore.

Instructions

1. Begin on the sand near the shoreline. Run toward the water with the skimboard in your hands.

2. Throw the board out in front of you once you reach the shoreline where the water meets the sand. Be careful not to throw the board too far to where you can't reach it. Throw the board about five feet in front of you.

3. Jump on the board. Board the skimboard with your left foot forward for regular-footed riders. For goofy-footed riders, place your right foot forward on the board. Keep your feet stable to provide strong balance as you skim the water.

4. Head toward the wave as it crashes ashore. Bend your knees and adjust your weight toward the tail of the board. Lean to your right or left before you approach the wave to begin your turn.

5. Throw your back foot toward the wave. Bring your back foot forward right before you reach the peak of the wave. Spin around to begin riding the wave back to shore.

6. Ride the wave parallel to the shoreline to ride along with the wave as if you were surfing. Lean back as you get close to the shore so the nose of the board does not dig into the sand.

References

• Skim Online: Introduction to Skimboarding