HOW to Body surdf

Bodysurfing with a handboard (also called a handplane) is a fantastic way to enhance your ride by increasing speed, lift, and control. The handboard acts like a mini surfboard for your hand, helping to reduce drag and keep you on the wave face for longer.

Here's a breakdown of how to get started and improve your technique.

1. Preparation and Equipment

Secure the handboard: Place your hand on the board with your palm flat and fingers pointing forward, and secure the strap so it's snug but not too tight. Use your dominant hand for better control.

Get fins: While not strictly necessary, swim fins are highly recommended. They provide the propulsion you need to catch waves and manoeuvre effectively, especially when you're out in deeper water.

2. Getting Out to the Waves

Swimming out: Wade out to a comfortable depth, then extend the handboard in front of you. You can use your free hand for a freestyle stroke or place it on top of the handboard for more buoyancy. Use powerful kicks to propel yourself forward and through the waves.

Duck diving: When a wave is about to break on you, hold the handboard with both hands in front of you. Push the board and your body down into the water, getting as deep as you can to let the wave pass over you.

3. Catching the Wave

Positioning: Once you're in the lineup, turn to face the shore and watch for a good wave. You want to be in the "sweet spot" where the wave is about to break, but not so far in front that you'll miss it.

The takeoff: As the wave approaches and begins to lift you, start kicking hard with your fins and use your free arm to paddle. Extend the handboard-equipped arm in front of you, pointing it in the direction you want to go (usually at a slight angle across the wave face, not straight to the beach). The handboard will help you plane onto the wave's surface.

4. Riding the Wave

Lift and speed: The key principle of handboarding is that lift equals speed and control. Once you've caught the wave, push down on the handboard in a push-up motion to lift your chest and head out of the water. This reduces body drag and allows you to go faster.

Body position: Keep your body as streamlined as possible, like a human surfboard. Your legs should be close together to reduce drag. Your free hand can be placed on top of the handboard or moved behind your back for balance.

Steering: Use the handboard to steer. To turn, lean and apply pressure to the board in the direction you want to go. Tilting the board forward can increase speed, while tilting it back can help you stall.

Tricks and manoeuvres: As you get more comfortable, you can experiment with more advanced techniques like "El Rollo" (a spin off the lip of a wave), tube riding, or dolphin-style riding where you submerge your body fully.