How to get and stay fit
for bodyboarding
Stretching-
Stretching is an integral part of performance and health.
A good stretching routine will make body boarding big
waves and enduring long sessions much easier as well
as making landing heavy moves much less painful. Stretching
makes it easier to stay injury free, making for much
more water time.
Well first find a comfortable place in your house with
a bit of room like the living room carpet or you bedroom
carpet floor, if you only have a hard floor surfaces,
get a few towels and statically place them on the ground
to make the stretching experience more comfortable.
Now that you have your spot you need to try and schedule
a time of day or night to do your stretches on a regular
basis. If you can get in to a habit of doing they daily
you will be able to get see results much quicker.
Now for the types of stretches that will help.
Try to remember your gym class stretches and incorporate
and yoga type stretches that you may have learned or
seen. Better yet study some diagrams of some proper
stretching techniques from the Internet. Focus on your
back and legs as well as trying to strengthen your stomach
with sit-UPS and holds.
If you can spend 30 minutes a day stretching and a few
minutes at the beach before you get it in the water
you will feel the difference.
TIP- Don’t rush the stretches go slowly and hold
it to increase your flexibility.
See what works for you and investigate the proper techniques. |
How to perform better for
Bodyboarding Part 2
This second part revolves around focusing your mind.
The mind is the most powerful tool you have, if you
use it right you can
push yourself to the next level much quicker and easier.
1. Stay positive. This keeps you from getting frustrated
and bummed out, and
helps you stay focused all the time.
2. Think it and then do it. Visualize what you want
to accomplish. Whether
it be a new move, winning a contest or doing a move
you know better etc.
Keep the image of yourself doing it the right way in
your head and then go
out and do it.
3. Set goals. This helps your mind channel its energy
in to the right
places and keeps you focused on your objectives
4. Believe in yourself and your ability. If you know
you can do something in
your mind then you will be able to do it physically. |
How to perform better for
bodyboarding. Part 1.
This is a section provides general information for all
riders who want to improve their skills and love to
go big in the water.
The first step eating right. Here are 5 simple tips
to boosting your performance.
Your body is a machine and you need to give it proper
fuel for it to perform at its peak.
To take your machine to the next level, you should eat
the right foods at the right times.
1. Balance and Variety- i.e. the 4 basic food groUPS,
don’t stick to one type of food mix it up to get
different nutrients and vitamins.
2. Eat small meals before and right after surfing (if
you plan on surfing again) A heavy meal will weigh you
down. Also less food is easier for you body to energize
and recharge it self.
3. Fresh fruit is important they have lots of vitamins
and nutrients and simple sugars, which can be used for
energy.
4. Water - your body is 90 % H20 so make sure you are
well hydrated. The more hydrated you are less likely
to cramp up. Fluids also can help you recover faster
and are able help you to surf longer. Lots of water
before and after each session is key. PowerAde and sports
drinks are good after surf as well.
Stay away from too many greasy and fried foods before
and after your sessions. They weight you down and clog
things up. |
How to travel better and
safer.
In the body boarding world we all live in traveling
is a necessary evil to score better waves than you have
at your home spot.
Yes the memories of traveling and the adventures cannot
be beat.
But the long waits at the airport and sore backs from
20 hours flying can’t be easily forgotten either.
Here are a few easy tips to make the traveling experience
more fun more comfortable and safer.
1. Pack lightly, trust me as much as you think you will
need those 15 –shirts, that one pair of crazy
pants or leather jacket you might end up wearing. My
advice no matter how much longer than a week you plan
on going pack only for 1 week, that means 7 t-shirts
max, a few pairs of board shorts and jeans, 1 dress
shirt and a pair of shoes and slippers and a jacket
for rain and sweater for warmth and you should be ok.
Even if you are going for a 5 week holiday. You can
use jeans and t-shirts pretty much most the places you
go and if you can wear surf shorts every day then your
bag should look very thin. The price of washing you
clothes once week or so is worth every penny.
2. Entertainment-If you read make sure your books are
paper back small and light. If you listen to music I
pods or MP3 players are the only way to go, then you
can leave your cds at home and enjoy. If you have a
laptop computer, ditch its caring case and find a nice
back that has padded compartment just for it.
3. If you are going to another country make sure you
passport is in order and the country you are going to
does not require a visa to enter it, a quick phone call
or web search can save you from being denied at the
plan or customs gate. Also make a copy of your passport
and keep it somewhere so that if you lose your passport
you can still get out of the country and you have ID.
4. Make a list of important number you may need to remember
or would be useful while traveling in particular country
or region, your credit card company’s number is
very useful if it gets stolen.
5. When at the plane gate wait till they call for final
boarding call and get on board and try and find a couple
extra seats for yourself, usually you will have assigned
seat for you as back up. Hot and don’t know what
to do with the blanket, roll it up and use it as an
extra pillow.
6. Money issues use the atm machines the exchange rate
is much better and no fee to change the money but you
will get a standard atm change but, it is worth not
having to carry around lots of foreign cash at a time.
7. Get you accommodation in order before you go, at
least know where to look for it, or at least have a
place for back up in case you don’t find the one
you are looking for.
8. Car rides, bring a pillow for long trips, the airplane
pillow works, as does your towel as long as it is clean
and dry. And again if you can just bring a board and
board bag or back pack with your stuff do it. The car
will not be as packed if every one has less stuff and
the ride will go much better. Bring your I pod or mp3
player and the car tuner accessory for it, as it is
worth its weight in gold.
9. Avoiding theft, less stuff make sit look like a less
appealing target. Keep your stuff on the down low, and
out of site in your room, and car or where ever.
10. Find a surf break guide or map for the region you
are going to it will help you if you have no local knowledge
with you. That goes for regular guidebooks in general
too.
Five star luxuries is not necessary but It seems to
me the few little things you do or bring on your trip
may cost just a few dollars more but will amplify the
enjoyment level.
And Of course nothing beats sleeping under the stars
in your board bag on the beach waiting for the sun to
rise so you can surf a new spot. |
How to do a GORF
Don’t ask me what GORF stands for, I don’t
know but I do know that this move is a fun alternative
when you get bored of doing ARS’s, or inverts
and looks sick from any angle.
As always look down the line for the coming section.
With a GORF the section can be any type as long as you
have a little bit of speed and a lip you should be able
to start practicing this move.
When you approach the lip try to get there a bit before
it throws and as it throws out pop off of the section
like you would for a air, then lift yourself and your
board in to the air in one motion, as this happens you
need to point the nose of your board down and lift you
legs in to the air and pivot in to a forward 360, the
more vertical your nose is pointed to the water the
faster the rotation and better this move looks.
You should be able to flat and facing the beach and
ready to engaged your rail to do your next move.
FYI.
The landing can hurt if you do this off a big section
and may knock the wind out of you. |
How to do an Air Hubb
This is move can be seen in the BZ video ONE if you
need to see what I am describing.
This move is very complex and requires mastery of at
least three skills.
You need to be able to hit the lip
Be able to do a forward spin in the air, and be able
to do a roll.
The idea is to hit a lip that will get you high enough
to allow you enough time to get the air you need to
be able to do a spin and then to do a roll out of the
spin back on to the wave.
The first step is approaching a large air section with
enough speed coming off the bottom that will allow you
to be propelled up in to the air and out far enough
to land in the flats.
This is so you can gather as much time as you can to
complete both moves in the air.
After you hit the lip and are vaulted upwards and side
wards in to your air spin. You then need to gauge how
high you are so you can figure out if you have enough
time to add in the roll as you finish you air spin.
As you start to complete your air spin you need to use
your strength to twist your body and board in to a roll.
This is not easy as it goes against your natural flow.
If you get the roll finished you will be able to have
an easy landing as it is like landing a roll. The best
way to practice this move is to practice the rotation
of the spin to roll when you do spins off the lips also
when you do air spins try and get pushed out side wards
not just up this will help give you the momentum to
finish your air spin with a roll. |
how to do a multiple spin
if you can do a regular spin then you are ready to try
this trick.
the key to doing mutiple spins in a row is your momentum
.
if you can do first spin with a lot of speed and can
keep that speed going as you get through your first
spin then you can initiate the next rotation with you
body by using your head to turn your body qucikly as
you look in to the direction you want to spin.
if you get your second one around you can do a third
one in the same manner , some times to do a consecutive
thrid or forth spin in a row with out stopping means
you have to gain momentum as you spin and so you are
going in to each spin faster and faster like a top you
are generating your own speed, if this is not working
then need to try to use your fins to help start your
next spin if you come out of a rotation with out much
momentum . Use your inside fin to initiate the spin
to get that momentum going use the same technique as
you usually would to complete the spin. this trick is
lots of fun in small waves and when you are just riding
a wally wave with no sections. it can also be good to
do in contests to still look flashy while waiting for
some lips to hit. well enjoy and keep practicing.
aloha jeff. |
How to do a Reverse Roll
This move was made popular by Kyle Maligro
in the late 90’s it is a fun move to do that is
technical yet explosive.
To set up this move you approach the lip like you are
going to do an air or air roll.
You as you hit the lip you pop your self in to the air
then you try and pull your self away from the wave as
you start the roll rotation only this time to rotate
into a reverse roll you go the opposite way leading
with your outside arm holding your rail.
It is a bit more mechanical as it is going against the
natural flowing arc of the wave.
You need to use gravity and your strength to quickly
complete the rotation before you land. Land just like
you would a normal roll flat on your board tail first
ready to engage your rail to do your next move. You
can do this move off a steep lip or a bowling section.
To get the best practice do it off of an oncoming section
and land in the white water, which will help to avoid
injury. |
| How to do a Double Roll
This move was invented by Eppo in the early 90’s
and is quite difficult to do. I have only done them
on a few occasions.
Do to this move you will need a lot of speed and a
nice barreling section.
You speed to the lip as you were to do an air and
as you hit the lip you need to quickly start your
roll as you launch in the air so by the time you finish
you first roll you are still going up or out in the
air.
As you finish your first roll you must continue to
pull yourself into another roll.
You need to keep the rotation going until you have
finished the second roll. You may land hard or on
your back but keep trying. You may just need to do
the roll faster or get more height to complete the
second roll. It is tough to do but you will feel good
when you finally nail one. |
How to do a take off roll.
By now you should have the concept of how and when to
do a roll under control.
This month we are going over a really fun move that
is great to do any time. It is great to do in shore
break in order to get a great view in to the barrel.
It also helps you catch waves that you would normally
get hit by the lip when taking off.
You need a barreling wave to do this move on, as a barreling
wave will have a lip that is throwing out.
You need to paddle towards the breaking wave and position
yourself where the lip is about to pitch. Half paddle
and half let the wave suck you up the face. As you get
to the top where the lip is throwing you need to start
your roll. Go over with the lip and roll so you are
over your board ready to land. Try and land inside the
barrel if it is a close out or a short ride. Or of it
is a long wave, land as if you are doing a regular roll
and then bottom turn to start the rest of your ride.
It is a lot of fun to do in shore break or hollow waves
with your friends. Be careful as you will get pounded.
Have fun. |
How to do a Through the
Lip Roll
This is the third installment in our series on rolls.
The through the lip roll is a great finishing move that
can get you out of some tough situations.
You can do it to punch through a close out or to get
out of a close out barrel, even to just blast a sweet
move when a clean section is hard to find or just finishing
off a combination of moves.
You start by drawing a good bottom turn creating speed
and then looking down the line to see what the wave
is doing.
With a through the lip roll you can wait longer to decide
if when you want to do this move, in the mean time it
is best to ride the wave and do what ever you want 360’s,
air’s, rolls, barrels etc.
Then as the wave starts to suck out and the ride seems
to be finishing, look to see where the lip is throwing
out.
Once it starts to pitch out you engage your rail to
drive your board towards the lip. Get to the lip where
it is throwing and continue your increase your momentum
use the waves speed as the water rushes up the face
then to push through the top of the lip you use your
boards nose with your arms to punch through the lip
then let the lips momentum take you over and at the
same time start your roll. The best time to do this
is right before the lip has hit the water so when you
finish your move you land in the cushion of white water
and do not get stuck in the lips explosion called the
V. Try and land with your board completely under you.
If you do this after a barrel or on close out section
you will land facing the beach. Also you should try
and hold on tight as the bigger the wave the more water
moving around when you do the move. I would not try
this move on very large waves with thick lips, as you
would have move chance to get stuck in the lip and get
worked. As always practice on small waves first to get
the feel of it and then progress to larger more challenging
waves. Enjoy. |
How to do a barrel roll.
Last month we covered the regular roll, so this month
we are going to go over how to do a roll while in the
barrel.
This move is more complex yet functional and exciting
at the same time.
First you have to have a wave that is barreling.
Once you have engaged your rail and set your line in
the barrel or pocket you need to be looking for a spot
on the lip to start your roll.
To do this you disengage your rail and point the nose
of your board to wards the lip and let your board get
sucked up over the roof of the barrel.
As you come down try to get free of the lip and free
fall, so you do not land in the trench of the barrel,
which will cause you to eat it, instead try and land
where it is flat so you can try and pump back up the
wave to get speed.
Hope fully you picked a spot on the wave where the barrel
slowed down or stopped so you will be able to land and
then ride out of the tube or in to the next barrel section.
You can also do this move as you exit the barrel for
a more dramatic appearance,
You do the same move but go for the roll as you come
out of the barrel, as your forward momentum will push
you up and out, you should land back on the wave where
you can engage your rail.
This can be taken another step and you can do a take
off roll, as it requires the same technique you just
need to paddle towards a barreling wave and let it suck
you up the face and then you start your roll as it pitches.
This can be a great for late take offs. You can even
do take off ARS’s if you want to play around on
longer drops.
Good luck and try and practice on sand bars before you
go do this on shallow reefs.
Jeff |
| How to do a regular roll.
There are many different types of rolls you can
do on a body board. You can do a barrel roll, a through
the lip roll, a roll take off, a reverse roll and
even a double roll. Each is different and use�s different
techniques. So this is the first in a five part series
on rolls. This month I am going to walk you through
how to do a normal roll. This maneuver is the building
block for many moves so it is important to master.
You need to catch a wave with that has a wall on it;
this will allow you to find a section where a lip
is going to throw. The bigger the wave the bigger
the roll you are going to be able to do. Once you
see the lip you are going to hit, you need to turn
up to it in way so you can get to the lip before it
has landed on the wave. Time it so you get to the
lip as it its throwing out, as you get to the lip
release your rail and arch your head to look back
where you are going to land, at the same time you
pull the board and your body over with the direction
of the wave. Make sure the lip pushes you over so
you land on the board slick skin down first. Once
you land you need to bottom turn back on to the wave
to your next maneuver. Once you have the motion down
you can try and hit bigger lips on bigger waves or
on bowler sections that will throw you out more and
give you more air. Keep practicing till you get very
comfortable so you can do this move in any wave condition.
Hint (it will help get you through some contest heats,
as rolls are scored higher than most spins). Next
month I will go over how to do a barrel roll. |
How to spin in the barrel.
This is a complex move to pull off, as the two most
important things to look out for are that you have to
be able to spin fast enough not to catch your edge and
have the wave suck you up the face and then over the
falls, or have the lip hit your fins and send you in
to the whitewater. Here�s how to do it.
1. Start drawing your line down the wave face, as you
would normally do when you are trimming.
2. As the waves starts to pitch you want to set up your
approach.
3. You can either come off the bottom turn then whip
in to a spin as the wave barrels over you. If you do
this way try and drag your legs a bit on the bottom
turn for increased leverage and control.
4. Another way is if you are driving down the line look
for a spot on the wave where it is slowing down or bowling
up then initiate your spin as fast as you can so you
as you spin around you are not clipped by the falling
lip and you do not get sucked up the face.
5. After the spin reengage your rail and try and get
back up to speed.
6. If you do either of these moves correctly you should
then find you self-gathering speed in the barrel.
7. Once you have your rail control back and you are
gaining speed look to exit the barrel as you normally
would.
8. If you are really ampped on this move then try the
third way as you can also spin out of the barrel.
9. When the barrel is ending and just as you are coming
out start you spin to stay in their a bit longer and
then as you come out of the spin you should be coming
out of the barrel or out of it already.
10. Spinning is a great way to stall for the barrel
and still look flashy, try this on closeouts to get
the hang of the rotation and momentum you need then
go on to making it out of big barrels. Enjoy |
How to stay amped when the waves
suck.
We all have times when the waves just are not providing
any thing fun to ride . No matter what coast you live
on. If you can stay amped to body board during these
times with out being bummed out, you will be surfing
just as good when you the waves return if not surfing
better. My first piece of advice is to watch body boarding
videos ,since you can't go body boarding spend some
of the time you would at the beach getting stoked on
watching your favorite riders ripping up sick waves
this will keep you amped and even help you learn some
good techniques and style. Use the slow motion or pause
button to aid you as you watch. Also stay fit by doing
some sort of exercise , swimming is the best but , running
on the sand or any thing that gets your heart pumping
will do. This will keep you in shape so when the next
swell arrives you can surf for hours as you will be
fit. Try to get in the ocean doing some activity ever
couple of days such as fishing, swimming, bodysurfing,
long boarding, diving, skimming ,or sand sliding. Any
thing that keeps you in the ocean is good as it will
help you be relaxed and not to get too depressed or
stir-crazy. This way you can stay positive and be excited
to body board when the waves get better. Also try and
get as much stuff done as possible so when the waves
are up again their is nothing keeping them from you.
These are just a few tips that might help you through
some rough times with out waves. Every one is different
and will do what feels right for them . aloha |
| How to make it through a contest heat.
These tips mostly apply to the regular four-man
15-20 minute heat. Yet some tips will help you no
matter what you contest format you are in.
1. Stay relaxed. As tough as it may be in the last
few minutes or when you need a wave badly, you need
to stay calm. This way when you do catch a wave you
won�t blow it because you are panicking or pressured
out.
2. Have fun. This will come naturally if you are relaxed
and catching waves.
3. Get a wave as soon as the heat starts. I have seen
a lot of the best body boarders use this tactic and
it works if you get a wave off the start you will
be more relaxed the rest of the heat and be able to
work off the nerves and have fun. This won�t work
if you catch a bad wave when a good one is right behind.
4. Build on your top 2 or 3 waves. (Whatever the criteria
is), this means try and do better than you did on
your other waves other wise it is a waste of time
catching the wave. For example if you have two solid
waves with good moves on them like roll or ARS�s.
Don�t catch a wave that does not look like it will
let you do the same or better. If it only lets you
spin to the beach you might have lost out on priority
of a better wave out the back while you catch the
junk one. Use your judgment though as if the seconds
are ticking down and you need one more score take
the wave if you don�t think you will have time to
get another one.
5. Get the best waves. Unfortunately most of the time
the person who will make it through the heat is the
person that catches the best wave or waves in the
allotted heat time. You need to position yourself
in the area that you think has the best waves coming
in, and go out and try and ride them well. 6. Mix
it up. If you only do forward spins and a roll on
all your waves you won�t be impressing or catching
the judges eye after the first ride. Try and mix it
up on each wave so you can get improved scores on
each ride. Throw some spray; use your rail on a wave.
Then use finesse on some waves busting moves in the
critical sections. This especially helps if your competition
is riding the same way then you can stand out from
them. And NO, helicopters and cockroach smashes will
not translate in to high scores though you will get
a few laughs.
7. Bust big and land it. When you go for the big moves
you will get the big scores if you can land it. Don�t
hold back just give it your all. If a perfect section
for an ARS or invert comes your way. Go big. The judges
will reward you for taking the risk on a big move.
8. Be aware of what�s going on in the heat. Be aware
of how much time you have and make sure you get your
necessary wave counts before the horn sounds. Know
where your competitors are. So you don�t get called
for an interference of any kind. A loss of a scoring
wave is a sure way to lose a heat. Remember every
one surfs contest differently and has their own mind
set and ideas about what works and what does not.
These are just a few basic tips. The most important
thing is that you have confidence in your ability
and learn to formulate your own strategies, while
having fun. |
| How to get sponsored
Many aspiring body boarders wonder the same question.
How can I get sponsored and become a Pro? Well if
you are one of these body boarder�s here is some general
helpful information to start you on your path. Most
body boarders who want to be sponsored feel that they
are talented enough. But what really makes them worthy
to be given discounted or free product and even $
by a company. You need to prove to the company you
can help 1.increase company sales,
2. Gain exposure for the company,
3. Create more brand or name recognition,
4. Help with product development.
If you can do these four things on any level you are
worthy of some sort of sponsorship. What level of
sponsorship you receive depends on how successful
you are at these four things?
Lets start with #4. Helping with product development-
this is an easy one for riders who love their gear
�(boards, fin�s, leashes, tethers, rash guards, wetsuits,
etc). First, You need to be aware what other people
like about your companies product and why. This is
a good reason to let your friends try out the product
once and awhile so you can get their feed back to
test it against your own. Trust me they will be stoked
to try your new stuff. You should also be able to
use your companies products and provide useful feed
back on how it looks, how it feels, what conditions
does it excel in, what conditions does it do poorly
in, and more importantly how can it be made better.
If you can a do this for your sponsor it will effectively
creative a better product in the future and eventually
help sell more of them.
Ok now lets look at #3. Creating brand or name recognition-
this takes place every day all the time weather you
are aware of it or not. T-shirts with logos, logo
stickers placed strategically on boards, folders,
cars and other areas that get attention. You need
to actively let your community /surf area / even school
or work see your sponsors logo or product. You do
not need to be kooky about it just help make people
aware what the logo stands for and what type of products
it represents.
#2. Gaining exposure for the company. This is where
it gets tricky. To gain exposure for the company you
need to be in the public eye. Which entails being
in Photos and interviews in magazines, newspapers
or websites. Entering contests and doing well so you
can attract interest to you and your sponsors will
help. Surfing the best and sometimes most crowded
waves so you can get noticed. Being showcased on videos
and TV are another big way to increase exposure. Remember
while you are getting exposure for your sponsor it
is also benefiting you making you more marketable
to other sponsors. Which could lead to more free stuff
or $.
#1. Increasing company sales. For this you need to
be smart you have to be able to have a direct link
to your companies market. Be it at a local surf shop
where you work or school or at the beach. You need
to be able to show your friends and others how good
the product from that company is no matter what it
is. You also need to let them know where they can
buy it. Even of you don�t work at a surf shop you
can consistently visit and stop by your local shops
making sure they are carrying your sponsors brand
and always promoting it well .If you can show a company
that you are directly helping them sell their products
instead of their competitors then you will be able
to really get something in return, depending on how
much you sell. Being sponsored is about communication
if you can communicate well with a sponsor and communicate
to people to buy the goods you will succeed. Spending
lots of time in the water just talking with people
is a great way to start your communication skills.
These are just a few good suggestions to get you started
but there are other ways to do the things I have mentioned
above. So if you want to stop wondering and start
trying to get sponsored my advice is to go for it.
It will be a rewarding experience with many new people
to met on your journey, and who knows by being in
the water doing what you love you may be able save
or even make money at it. |
How to do a forward air
spin
This move is when you perform a forward spinner
in the air. It is an advanced move that requires you
knowing how to spin and hit the lip. These moves are
real head turners so when you nail one in front of people
expect them to be stoked. The first thing you need is
speed -a good bottom turn on a bowly wave should give
you enough speed to get off of the lip. Once you have
speed, you need to find where the lip is pitching out.
When you see where the lip is throwing you should turn
your board so you are aiming it at the part of the lip
that is just ready to pitch. You need to hit the lip
as it throws out and start your forward spin by pulling
your body up on your board arching your back and crossing
your legs. It helps if you give a bit of a lift or even
a pull of your board off the lip as you release in to
the air. Once in the air use your momentum and gravity
to carry your forward spin around just like you would
do when trying a forward spin on any other part of the
wave. As you complete the spin you should be on your
way down to land, so look for a soft spot. Some times
the softest spot is if you can land back on the wave
face then gliding down you initiate another bottom turn.
In this transition you get a good opportunity to carry
your self in to your next move. Other wise if you really
launched high and out in to the flats you can land really
hard which means you have to hold on extra tight so
you don�t lose it and wipe out. Once you have regained
your rail control or come out of the white water look
down the line for your next move or cut out looking
like the man of the session. |
| How
to do a cutback
Here is one of the most fundamental but hard-core
moves that you can do in any size waves. The cut back
helps regulate your speed, as well as let you look
stylish and powerful as you ride the wave. A good
cut back can set up the rest of the wave for you,
as it slows you down and let�s the wave form up in
front of you to offer you a barrel or a section to
hit or another steep section to do a maneuver on.
Step 1. Take off as you would on any wave gathering
speed as you travel down the line. If the wave has
a nice wall and does not look like the lip is going
to throw out or barrel any time soon, then you know
you have time to initiate the cutback.
Step 2. After gaining some speed you should drive
to near the top of the wave almost to the lip, Hint
-try and aim for just underneath the lip line.
Step 3. As you approach the area where you want to
do you cutback you should shift your weight to the
bottom corner of your inside rail and push down on
the inside rail with your palm and pull the corner
of your nose down the face of the wave the more pressure
you apply the more spray you should throw, (be careful
if you are going to fast you could easily put to much
pressure and pop the board of the wave face looking
like a kook, I think ever rider has done that at one
point or another).
Step 4. As you aim you board down the face of the
wave be careful to stop your turn when you feel you
are satisfied with your placement on the wave. It
is all relative to each wave and rider, for example-
if you are still in a flat spot you can keep turning
all the way till you hit foam behind you or if a section
looks like it is appearing down the line you should
stop your cutback half way and regain speed to hit
the section or to get past it.
Step 5. Once you have finished your cutback shift
your weight back to its normal placement where ever
you feel the most comfortable and are getting he most
speed and control. For advanced riders try doing a
spin after your cut back if you still have time. Both
a cutback to forward spin and a cutback to reverse
spin look cool and help you stall for the next section
while still looking flashy. |
| How to get barreled.
Part 2
Last month I explained how to get barreled. This month
I will continue with some more helpful hints about
how to ride the barrel. Now, if you take behind the
peak and if you are late to pull in to the barrel,
most likely the lip has already hit the water, then
that is called back dooring the section. This is a
critical moment as you enter the barrel you already
are behind the section, which will put you deep in
the barrel. This may sound good but be careful the
deeper you get in to the barrel the more exposed you
are to the barrels shock wave. That�s when the lip
hits the water it sends a miniature wave racing back
up the face of the barrel. You also have to negotiate
the trough or trench when you are deep in the barrel
and that is when the barrel flattens out and the wave
stops pushing you along and you have to rely on the
speed you have already to push you along and make
it out.
When a wave is hollow enough it will spit which means
it will force all the air in the barrel out of the
opening in the front. The spit can be a great boost
of speed when if it powerful enough, as it can end
up pushing you along faster in the barrel. The best
way to practice riding the barrel is to pull in to
hollow close outs and try and ride as long as you
can. This process should help you see what works for
you to hold and edge and push through the shock wave
and trenches while in the barrel. It is a trial and
error experience and the more you get barreled the
more chance you have of making it out of one. After
that you will just be trying to stay in the barrel
as long as possible. Enjoy the process, as it is a
lot of fun, just make sure you don�t hit the bottom
too hard. Hubb |
How to get barreled. Part 1
Getting tubed is the essence of body boarding, as body
boarders are able to get barreled far more easily in
all conditions than surfers. We can pull in higher and
tighter in smaller surf and have an easier time m getting
in and out of big thick-lipped ledgey mutant pits. And
the best part is we can stay in the barrel longer Riding
in the barrel is one of the most critical parts of the
wave to ride and one of the most pure feelings you will
enjoy in the water. The first step to getting barreled
is finding the where the wave�s lip is throwing out
and placing your self underneath it the lip as it throws
out over you. It helps to have speed if you want to
make it out of the tube. And if you want to stay in
the barrel longer you need to slow down inside of it,
you can do this by either lifting up on the nose of
your board or by dragging your legs in the wave. Be
careful if you stall too much you will get sucked back
in to the barrel and eat it. As you take off on the
wave look down the line and see if the waves lip is
going to pitch out or if it is going to crumble. If
the lip is crumbly do not try to get in barrel as there
is no barrel and you will just end up having the wave
mush on you. If it is look s like it is going to pitch
out try and time your ride so you end up underneath
the lip as it throws out as you do this make sure your
rail is well engaged to the face as you want to keep
your speed and not slide out as the wave barrels over
you. If the wave is a close out then it will be a mostly
short intense ride with a wipe out at the end. Though
if the wave is makeable you will have to determine if
you need to stall in the barrel as discussed earlier
or if you need to keep your speed so you can make it
out. You can get more speed in the barrel by reducing
the drag in the water to do this get up higher on the
nose of your board this will help you keep you momentum
and hopefully make it out off the barrel. More barrel
tips and hints coming next month. Hubb |
| How to find
and maximize your speed
Speed is a crucial necessity for all of bodyboardings
high performance moves. The best and easiest ways
to capture speed on a wave is your bottom turn. A
smooth bottom turn at just the right point on a wave
will help slingshot you in to that perfect section
to hit.
1.As you take off on the wave look for any chop back
wash or object that will get in your path and slow
you down. Also look for any side wave, surge or back
wash which could help give you speed.
2.Then drop down the face of the wave and look to
turn and engage your edge a bit past mid way or three
forth of the way down the face, which will initiate
your speed track. If you wait till the bottom of the
wave some times you lose that power pocket. Unless
the wave is significantly hollow or large then you
need to make sure you are well locked at the bottom
of the wave.
3.Now that you have finished your bottom turn you
need to gain momentum on your board by moving forward
towards the nose of the board creating your weight
mostly on the rail while pushing down, up or along
the wave face. This is called trimming you will soon
hit a point of you maximum speed, and then you will
start to lose speed unless the wave gets step again
in which case you would be riding a long wave. You
will want to optimally do your maneuver during this
time when you have the most speed. Some times their
will be a section to bust on some times not you will
have to make your choice of pulling in to a tube,
hitting a lip or doing a cutback or spin, to wait
for the section.
(Hints) Look for step sections on the wave to increase
you speed from section to section. Also bowling hollow
sections help give you speed as you travel up towards
the lip as the water is being forced in that direction
as well, so if you can tap in to the waters speed
you can help get that extra push when tiring to launch
or do a move off the lip. Side waves a backwash will
help give you speed if you are able to harness their
power in to your advantage. Paddling hard and fast
helps also to get extra speed as you take off on the
wave . Enjoy HUBB |
|  How
To Do a Reverse Air
1. First pick off a wave that will give you
some speed and has a pitching lip or some sort of
section to hit.
2. Then you bottom turn or drive down the line to
get your speed.
3. Find the section that has the best looking lip
or section to throw you in to the air.
(I like to look for on coming sections with a lip
throwing off the foam or come off the bottom off a
hollow wave and hit the lip right out of the bowl).
4. As you hit the lip use it’s power to propel
you in to the air and at the same time try and lift
you self off the wave and in to your rotation. Think
of grabbing your boards nose and rail and lifting
them up towards you as you hit the lip.
5. Look back and lift your legs while you rotate,
just as you would do on a normal reverse.
6. Then try to keep your legs together as you complete
your spin.
7. As you land hold on and engaged your legs so you
won’t slip out or so you can complete your spin
in the white water.
8. Practice doing reverses and reverses off the foam
to get the motion right if the waves aren’t big
enough.
Enjoy |
|  How
to do an Air Roll Spin � ARS
1. Take off on any wave that provides a pitching lip.
2. Travel down the face gaining speed towards the
lip of the wave.
3. As you get closer to the lip angle your board upwards
in a angle to hit the lip.
4. As you make contact with your board against the
lip you should feel the wave pushing you out in to
the air, if the lip does not seem to put you in the
air you will need to use your arm strength to pull
your board off the lip so you are free to start your
move.
5. As you get pushed out in the air arch your head
and back and start your roll.
6. As you are come out of your roll throw your body
in to a spin towards the face of the wave.
7. As you spin you will either:
a). Land backwards facing
the water as the wave did not have enough power to
push you all the way around and you will have to finish
the remainder of the spin as you normally would do
on a wave. Or the other option is
b). That you will have completed the
whole spin in the air and will have to land holding
on to your board tight, then engage your rail and
try and get speed for your next move.
8. The more you practice this move the better you
will get at it and soon you will be doing it in one
complete motion and on waves of any size.
|
|  BIG
wave riding - watch the waves before you go out,
check for dangerous rip currents and where the reef
is and other hazards also where people in the line
up are sitting. paddle out between sets for an easier
paddle out. once you get in the water look around
and see where you are and where the waves are breaking
(espeacially the sets) before you get a wave. make
sure you have a leash and fin teathers to keep your
equipment with you (it could save your life). catch
the waves you feel comforable with at first work your
way up to the bigger sets. have fun and learn from
each experience it will help you next time it gets
big.
|
| How to do an invert air.
1st. -Make sure you get a wave that is
going to give you some speed the more the better.
If the wave has a wedge in it or has a steep
take off or has some size you
will be able to generate speed a lot easier.
2nd. -Drive off the power pocket of the
wave to use what ever speed the wave has. Some
time the power pocket is at the bottom and some
times it is at the top. Where depends on the type
of wave. A wedge, or really steep wave has a
power pocket more at the bottom which lets you drive
off your bottom turn towards the lip and
regular waves have the power pockets higher up and
you have to stay high and race towards the lip from
there.
3rd. -You are racing towards the lip with all
the speed the wave can give you.
Have to see where the lip is pitching and aim at
it. It helps to hit the lip at the same moment
it throws out. To early and you go flying off the
back, to late you get stuck in the lip and sent
to the bottom, but if you hit it just right you get sent soaring
in to the flats like a champ.
4th. -You hit the lip at just the right time
now and throw you body and board off of
the lip and in to the air.
5th. -Now is the right time to tweak your board
and body in to a inverted position, this means
the bottom skin of your board should be facing
straight up towards the sky and your head
should be looking down to where you intend on landing.
6th. -As you land, try and land on the foam if
you can to cushion your landing, or if you get thrown
in to the flats like you want, relax and hold
on, flatten out as you hit the water so the shock
is absorbed equally by the whole board.
Advanced tips - once you have mastered the
regular invert try letting the wave throw your
body out at a 180 degree angle as you invert and
this will make the move look even more radical.
Now go out and hit some lips and practice boosting
big! |
| more coming soon.... |
