How to bodysurf using a handboard
How to bodysurf using a Handboard
The benefits of using a handboard
learn the basics of how to handboard
Handboarding is easy and fun
This is a comprehensive guide on how to Body surf using a Handboard. Body surfing is one thing but using a handboard is a little different. Handboarding it is not difficult. Here are a few tips and tricks to getting your technique just right.
WHO SHOULD READ THIS ARTICLE
This article is intended for beginners handboarders, and should give you the start you need to take your bodysurfing with a handboard to new heights. We will not discuss the specifics of water safety. If you would like to get a detailed description on bodysurfing techniques and ocean safety, read our bodysurf 101 article or our article on avoiding rip currents .
looking to find the right board? Take a look through our guide to choosing the right board for your ability.
common questions we get from beginner customers
what is a handboard
A handboard is a mini surfboard no more than 19 inch long that fits on your hand with an adjustable strap. The handboard serves as a planning device on the water and allows you, The rider to ride the wave faster, longer and with more control when you are bodysurfing.
The benefits of using a handboard
Using a handboard gets you higher out the water meaning you go faster and further along the wave. Its also allows you to steer and guide yourself on the wave as illustrated by long time Australian bodysurfer Grant Schofield
"I was amazed by the speed I could get on the board, I found myself having to either stall or do turns to stop from 'out running' the wave which is unheard of while bodysurfing normally!"
check out more slyde reviews from guys and girls just like you
Why should I Use A Handboard?
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Increased speed: allows you to ride further and faster
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Higher lift out the water means less drag
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Increased pull into the wave, leading to less missed waves
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Riding a handboard puts a smile on your face!
Why do you guys call it a handboard
handboard, handplane, handgun, handlid, handslide, the list goes on. they are all the same thing and vary dramatically, like surfboards, in size and shape. Check out our article "choosing the right handboard for you," which will take you through choosing the best handboard for you.
Top Tip 1
What's the best board for a beginner
learn the basics of how to handboard
what you need to make the most of your handboarding
A slyde handboard
you need a Handboard to go handboarding. Take a look at the choose you handboard section to choose the best board for your ability .
Swim fins
Fins are optional and make getting into a wave much easier. However, if you are handboarding in the shore break, it is sometimes easier to leave the fins on the beach. When you are learning how to bodysurf, keep close to shore, you will be able to launch into the wave by pushing off the ocean floor. Having fins on when you’re close in can tire you out really quickly. read our guide on choosing the best fins
Wetsuit when it's cold
Being completely submerged in water will get cold, so check your local conditions and temperatures before you go. We have a great introduction on choosing the right wetsuit
Top Tip 2
Once you have made sure your handboarding equipment is in perfect working order, It's time to choose where you want to handboard. Choose the best conditions by visiting any one of the surf report sites like Surfline or Magic Seaweed.
WATCH THE COMPREHENSIVE VIDEO FOR BEGINNERS
COMPREHENSIVE VIDEO FOR BEGINNERS
The Four Basic Slyde Secrets To learning how to bodysurf using a Handboard
Insert your dominate hand
Place you dominant hand under the strap.
COMPREHENSIVE VIDEO FOR BEGINNERS
paddling out to the breaking wave
Wade out to waist deep water, facing the horizon. Lower yourself into the water and put your hand with the handboard outstretched in front of you. Take the other hand and place over the hand in the strap. With your body outstretched, kick and you will move forward quickly out past the breaking waves or if you are a good swimmer do freestyle stroke with the board in hand, like Chris in the image above.
The handboard keeps you buoyant and the kicking moves you forward. As the wave comes toward you, simply kick under the water and the wave with flow over you. It sounds scary at first but in time you will love the feeling of a wave going over you.
Carefully Pick your wave and start kicking
Once you are in position where the waves are breaking, turn around and face the shore, while keeping your attention on the approaching waves. The technique to catching the wave while you are handboarding is actually very easy. Position the arm with the handboard outstretched in front of you. As the wave rolls towards you, kick hard and use your free arm in a freestyle swim stoke for that extra push. The secret to this part is timing. Too fast and you are out in front of the wave. Too slow and the wave rolls over you.
An awesome costa rican left
Pick a direction, Left or right
At first you will go straight but as you progress you will learn to either go left or right depending on what way the wave is breaking. The forward momentum of the wave will pick you up and carry you with it. Our tip at this point is to "NOT" hesitate. Go for it!. Streamline your body by going as prone as possible, become a human surfboard. Your swim fins are now your rudder and the board is the bow of your ship. Use your handboard to steer the ship and have fun.
Top Tip 3
If you are a complete novice, follow our choosing the right place to bodysurf article to make the best decision when choosing the spot for your session. We also recommend you have a few sessions of learning how to bodysurf without a handboard before you venture in with a Handboard, to get you used to the ocean.
Final thought for the day:
Follow these simple tips and in no time, you will be handboarding like a superhero. So get out there and see how much fun it is. Remember, we are not trying to solve world peace. Just have fun and don't take yourself too seriously.
other great beginner articles
choosing the best bodysurfing fins
Choosing fins can be overwhelming... not if you read this!
how to hold your breath longer underwater
Everyone needs to know how to hold their breath longer when bodysurfing!
The Do's & Don'ts of Bodysurfing Etiquette
learn the code of bodysurfing etiquette to have the best time in the water
How to avoid rip currents when bodysurfing
Learn to spot a rip current anywhere anytime