How to Play in the Waves

A body board can enhance your wave riding experience.

Sometimes a day at the beach with a book doesn't cut it and you want to get out in the water and have some fun. Unlike the swimming pool or a lake, when you are at the ocean you have the option to take advantage of the waves. Learn how to play in the waves to make the most out of a visit to the beach.

Things You'll Need

• Body board

Instructions

1. Body surf in the waves. Wade or swim out to where the waves break. As a wave comes toward you, begin to swim toward the shore in the same direction as the wave. Stop kicking, hold your breath, point your arms ahead of you, then put your legs together and extend them as you feel the power of the wave begin to propel you. Remain in this position until the wave has stopped.

2. 

   Try to reach shore before the wave does.

   Dodge the waves. This is better for younger children or weak swimmers. When when the surf recedes, race to the water line, where the sand meets the seawater, then try to race back to the beach as the surf surges in again without getting wet.

3. 

   Grasp the body board toward the top.

   Ride a body board. Body boards protect your chest from the sand when you ride a wave and give you floatation so you do not have to tread in deeper water. Swim or wade to where the waves are breaking. As a wave comes toward you, grip you body board toward the rounded end of the board with your chest on the board. Aim yourself in the direction that the wave is traveling and kick until you feel the power of the wave take over. Ride the wave until it stops moving you.

Tips & Warnings

• If you keep missing waves, move closer to shore.

• If the waves keep crashing over your head before you can ride them, move further from shore.

• Do not body board at beaches where there is a steep drop-off close to shore. The wave could slam you into the underwater wall and injure you.

• Do not ride a body board or body surf unless you are a strong enough swimmer to feel comfortable in the ocean.

References

• The Sufing Site: How to Body Surf
• Saltwater Dreaming: All About Bodyboarding

Resources

• U.S. Lifesaving Association: USLA's Top Ten Beach and Water Safety Tips