Boogie Boarding / Bodyboarding tips and tricks
Courtesy of ebodyboarding.com

Check out our video tips for care and maintenance of  your boogie board.  [click here]


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 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 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 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.
 

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.
 

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.
 

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 .
 

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.
 

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.
 

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 .
 

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.
 

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!