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Bodyboarding

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A bodyboard is an instrument of wave riding consisting of a small roughly rectangular piece of foam, shaped to a hydrodynamic form. The bodyboard is ridden predominantly lying down, (or 'prone'). It can also be ridden in a half-standing stance (known as 'dropknee') or can even be ridden standing up. The vast majority of bodyboarders usually wear swimfins on both feet to aid in paddling out and taking off.

The bodyboard differs from a surfboard in that it is much shorter, and made of lighter material. A bodyboard typically ranges in length from 40 to 42 inches for men, and from 38 to 40 inches for women, with a squared-off nose, angular rails and a tail which is usually crescent-shaped (however 'batwing' style tails have recently become more popular). They are designed to be flexible, and board builders tend to be more experimental with materials than with their stand-up cousins. The board is made up of a 'core', made from dow/polyethylene, arcel and more recently polypropylene. These are types of plastic, and each gives a bodyboard a different amount of flex and control for the rider. Glued, or more currently, heat-bonded, to this core is a thick plastic bottom (known as the 'slick') which gives the board strength and speed. The top of the board (the deck) is made from softer plastic to give grip and cushioning to the rider. Unlike a surfboard, there is no fin or skegs allowing the rider to rotate the board. But, like the surfboard, a bodyboard can be made with a stringer (or two) to further increase its stiffness. If one so desires, a skeg can be purchased and installed in about 1 minute. A skeg can minimize the looseness that is required for many tricks. This has led to a large decrease in the presence of skegs. It is bad to call a bodyboard a boogie board unless the bodyboard is actually a Boogie brand bodyboard. 'Sponge' or 'Esky lid' are derogatory terms used to describe bodyboards.

Although bodyboarding is often mistakenly considered surfing's easier cousin, watermen, knowledgeable in both disciplines, hold that beyond the beginner level they are equal in the time, dedication, and skill required to become proficient.

Bodyboarding is arguably the earliest form of surfing, and is ultimately derived from the ancient Hawaiian Paipo board, which was ridden lying down. The modern invention of the bodyboard is credited to Tom Morey, who sold very basic bodyboards, (known then as Boogie Boards) by mail order. They were very crude by today's standard, but were easy to ride and became popular.

Bodyboarding is also popular as an amateur activity among travelers. Many towns along coastal areas (e.g., Bethany Beach, DE) have several beachwear shops that sell amateur grade boards ranging from $10 to $50.

The Radical Revolution

Bodyboarding went through a revolution in the 1990´s. It was mainly led by bodyboarders like Jacob Reeve from Santa Barbara, CA, with its innovative tricks breaking all the established rules, and the new generation of Australian, Brazilian and Portuguese bodyboarders.

It must be acknowledged that the big names of the sport faced the new standards with an open mind, embracing the revolution rather than denying it. It was men like Mike Stewart (Hawaii)and Guilherme Tâmega (Brazil) that helped establishing the revolution set forth by the newcomers.

Most top bodyboarders from the first age fell to the radical revolution but are still praised today as heroes from the old school. Men like Ben Severson, Pat Caldwell, Kainoa McGee, Fabio Aquino, Xandinho, Jay Reale, Keith Sasaki and many others will always remains respected as pioneers of the bodyboarding we know today. Mike Stewart is the only bodyboarder from the old school who is still considered a world class top bodyboarder today; although not anymore the absolute master of the sport, he is still regarded as the "king", with an unbelievably beautiful surfing style, managing to bring together the fluidity of the Old School with the extreme tricks of today's bodyboarding.

Aspects of the Revolution

Old school bodyboarding praised a more fluid and easy going style of surfing. The standard tricks were spinners (360° spin) on the wave face either in normal or reverse direction, cut backs and the bodyboarding trademark El Rollo.

Today bodyboarding, while still praising huge attention to style, is mainly focused on aerial critical maneuvers heavier and bigger waves. The wave is a ramp! Spinners are now aerial, some bodyboarders managing to execute complete reverse 720° in the air (Jeff Hubbard and José Otávio are good examples). El Rollos are mostly aerial too, and this basic trick evolved into critical variations, like the ARS (Air Roll Spinner) where the bodyboarder connects an ordinary El Rollo with an 360° spinner in the air, and the Backflip.

A Few Notable Bodyboarders

Old School

New School

Famous bodyboarding locations

Many surfing spots around the world are famous for their hollow, tube-like waves which are favored by bodyboarders.

USA

Australia

Brazil

Japan

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