Bodyboarding Tips and Tricks

 Bodyboarding, also known as boogie-boarding, is a water sport that is similar to surfing except you do it lying on the board. Most bodyboards are wider than common surfboards, and most of the time you wear flippers on your feet to help maneuver. One of the fun parts of riding a bodyboard is the many tricks you can learn.
Bottom Turn
A bottom turn is a basic maneuver that can help lead to other more difficult tricks. Basically, once you reach the bottom of a wave, you turn your board without losing any speed. This is done by putting your weight on the left side of the board, digging the rail with your left elbow, while lifting the other rail with your right hand. Lift off the water with your inside leg and head toward your destination. Once you have made the turn, center your body back to the middle of the board and slide your body forward to gain speed.
Cut Back
The cut back is a fundamental bodyboarding trick that most beginners try to learn early on. Find a wave with a nice shoulder but no barrel. Start off by doing a turn to your left under the top of the wave, then cut back by shifting your weight on the outside of the rail. Apply pressure with your right hand to the middle of the right rail. Use your left hand to lift up the left corner of the nose of the board and make a strong turn. Visualize the spot on the wave you want to go. Once you reach it, simply turn to your left to get back in the curl of the wave while shifting your weight back to the middle of the board.
Forward Spin 360
The forward spin 360 is a bit more advanced and requires some experience, balance and control. Kick your fins through the water and head toward a nice breaking wave. Lean on your left elbow to steer up the face of the wave. Rotate your shoulder quickly as your reach the top of the wave and lift your flippers out of the water so your feet do not drag as you spin. After you spin completely around once, try to regain your balance on the wave or just fall off the back and find a new wave.
Drop Knee
The drop knee is another intermediate-level trick that requires some bodyboarding experience. Pull yourself over the deck of your board and drop into a wave. Place your left foot flat on the deck and form a 90-degree angle with your bent knee. Lower your other knee on the board for balance. Extend your arms out for balance as your ride the wave for as long as you can. Before the wave ends, drop back down onto your chest and ride away flat.