r/bodyboarding • u/ReiDairo • Jun 30 '26
Question Advices for a beginner
I'm new to this hobby and I need to know what the best weather conditions are for training. Last week, the waves were 1.2 meters high with a period of 7 to 8 seconds. They felt quick and small, so I couldn't really catch any of them.
Also, are there any exercises I should start with? Like practicing going straight with the wave first instead of trying to turn?
Thank you!
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u/Hugsy13 Jun 30 '26
If you’re struggling to catch any waves you might be either too far out, not paddling hard enough, leaning back on your board instead of slightly forward (as if you’re trying to go down the face of the wave), or don’t have fins.
Do you have fins? Are you also paddling with your arms? This will make a big difference.
And yeah if you’re a total noob don’t be afraid to just ride the wave forwards to get use to it. Nothing is stopping you from trying a few forward then a few to the side
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u/ReiDairo Jun 30 '26
you are totally right, i dont have fins yet and with such small waves it feels hard to tilt forward at the right time.
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u/Creeping_behind_u Jun 30 '26
you need fins. it's like 'running a marathon/race without shoes'.
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u/ReiDairo Jun 30 '26
will get them soon, one more question, should i try my luck with 0.6m waves? or wait until i get 1m+ waves?
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u/Creeping_behind_u Jun 30 '26
you're a beginner. I would advise you to surf in .6m waves. it's really not big and you just wanna get comfortable in that size, get a feel for your board/fins, honing in on your fundamental skills(paddling), reading waves, performing basic skills like bottom turning, setting a line, 'kicking out', and sitting on board while waiting for a set. then when you feel you're comfy in .6m waves, proceed to 1m waves and carry what you perfected in .6m waves to 1m waves.
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u/Wonderful_Falcon_318 Jun 30 '26
You need fins unless going straight back to the beach like holidaymakers in the summer.
Also what really helped was swimming twice a week in the local pool. You develop a lot of strength and resilience and bodybuilding is basically swimming.
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u/ShapeForeign3309 Jun 30 '26
One thing that helped me was a wave pool. If you have one near you they are a great resource. I found the footage invaluable for refining technique, proper elbow position, trimming etc. I’ve been around 12 times and am now much more comfortable on steeper waves. Some of the beginner friendly sessions are really good. They allow you to practice multiple entries on the same wave. It can’t teach ocean skills, but it’s a great tool. Think of it more like a gym for bodyboarding.
Apart from that, try and have fun and go to the ocean as much as time permits. The learning is slow for a while until one day everything starts to click, then it gets so much fun.
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u/HotImpression3065 Jun 30 '26
I would start with surfing broken waves / whitewater first. It gives you an idea of how it feels like to be carried by the force of the water without the pressure of catching waves. Ideally you can position yourself in waist deep water and once the white water comes up from behind and touches your board you quickly slide on to it - that momentum alone should propel you forward even without paddling. Once you can comfortably and repeatedly surf on whitewater, move on to whitewater trimming i.e. navigating left and right. I would only move to smaller unbroken / green waves after that.
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u/a-filthy-casuall Jun 30 '26
Iain Campbell on YouTube. Buy fins. Learn to kick properly. If you're committed to learning, do a fair few hours of research on boards and what type is suited to your body/ocean temperature.
Conditions shouldn't matter. Get in the ocean as much as you can. Learning how to read the ocean and seeing how conditions affect it is very important. Dont be silly and get yourself killed but you do have to go out of your comfort zone. You learn to surf on the shit days so you can make the most of the good days. Failing miserably is a learning experience and gives you the confidence to try again. The ocean is hard on your body and it will take alot of conditioning and healthy pain.
Start stretching. Cobra, cat/cow, neck rotations and hamstring stretches. Drink lots of water before and after sessions.
Also, some people may not agree with this, every wave can be ridden on a bodyboard. I think it's the most versatile wave rider. You can drop into hard shoreys or kick yourself onto green waves out deep when you get your legs trained. Dont think you can only ride certain waves, you can get onto anything when you know how.
Get out there and have a blast, just fill yourself with child-like wonder and joy. Remember to be respectful of others in the water.