How long should your bodyboard be?
As a rule of thumb, your ideal bodyboard should reach from your knees up to your chin when held out in front of you. While it is not traditional nor typical, to stand on a Boogie Board, if you are experienced enough, you can definitely stand on a bodyboard.Over time, “boogie board” became a widely used term for all wave-riding boards, especially those designed for casual beachgoers and kids. A bodyboard, on the other hand, is the correct term for the sport and the board itself.Anyone who has been involved in the sport of bodyboarding knows that Tom Morey, an inventor, musician, surfer, entrepreneur, mathematician and engineer originally from Michigan crafted the first modern bodyboard, which he called the Boogie (see our blog post about this) in 1971.One of the reasons why (some) surfers (still) hate bodyboarders is because boogie boarders ride anything – even a closeout wave. Fortunately, times are changing, and the oldest and fiercest rivalry in the history of boardsports is fading away.
Does bodyboarding make you fit?
Bodyboarding is a great way to improve muscle strength throughout the body. Using your arms to paddle out and kicking with fins builds lean muscle in the arms and legs. The paddling motion is a strenuous workout for the legs and glutes. The ride itself works out another group of muscles, the core. It requires mobility as you stretch and twist to catch the waves, too, and according to the American Council on Exercise, a 150lb (or 68kg) person can burn up to 400 calories per hour while bodyboarding. Read the full article here.With sessions usually lasting anywhere from half an hour to three hours, bodyboarding improves your cardiovascular fitness as your lungs and heart work hard to pump blood to your muscles. As you advance, you will find that paddling for waves requires a substantial amount of strength.When you’re paddling and catching waves, you’re engaging in a full-body workout that can help you burn calories and build lean muscle. According to the American Council on Exercise, a 150-pound person can burn up to 400 calories per hour while bodyboarding.Generally, Bodyboarding is considered easier to learn than surfing, as it has a gentler learning curve and requires less balance and coordination. For beginners, Bodyboarding is relatively simple, catch a wave and ride it towards the shore while lying on the bodyboard.Bodyboarding is not only a fun and exciting activity, but it also has numerous mental and physical health benefits. From reducing stress and anxiety to improving your mood and physical fitness, bodyboarding is an excellent way to take care of both your mind and body.
What happens if your bodyboard is too big?
Size / Weight If you don’t float enough, it means that your bodyboard is too small and it will be very difficult to catch waves. But if your board is too big, it may be easy to catch wave, but it’s going to be very hard to control it on the face of the wave, especially in powerful waves. A good rule of thumb for beginner surfboards is to start with a longboard that is about 3 feet longer than your height. So if you’re 5’6” to 6’0” tall, an 8’6” to 9’0” longboard would be pretty ideal.The size of your bodyboard affects everything from how easily you catch waves to how stable you feel when riding them. A board that’s too big or too small can make it harder to control your movements, reduce your buoyancy, and even make it more difficult to catch waves.If you’re riding is mostly bigger waves, consider a bodyboard on the shorter end of your optimal size range. If you are a more of an advanced rider consider a shorter board for maneuverability. If you are a beginner, aim for a longer board in your size range.Usually 5-7 feet tall, these are great for maneuvering on the waves. The small size makes the board very responsive to the actions of the surfer. However, this also makes the board less stable and buoyant, which means it’s much harder to balance on for beginner surfers.
Is a bigger bodyboard better?
Bigger bodyboards are not necessarily better; it depends on your size, weight, and skill level. Larger boards offer more buoyancy and stability but can be less manoeuvrable. Bodyboarding is definitely not lame, it is a transitionary sport to surfing, allows the boarder to enjoy various sized ocean swells and gives you an excellent way to exercise.While bodyboarding may offer an easier initial learning curve, both sports have their unique challenges, joys, and intricacies. The surfer vs bodyboard debate is less about which is easier and more about individual preferences.The best conditions for bodyboarding are usually waves of moderate to large size, with a tubular or hollow shape that allows for exciting maneuvers. Additionally, it is important to take into account factors such as wind direction, tide and water depth.You should have foundational swimming knowledge and experience. In bodyboarding, swimming is essential, and to safely enjoy the experience, you must know how to swim. If you don’t know how to swim, you can start with swimming lessons to get ready for more advanced watersports.
Is it easier to surf or bodyboard?
While bodyboarding may offer an easier initial learning curve, both sports have their unique challenges, joys, and intricacies. The surfer vs bodyboard debate is less about which is easier and more about individual preferences. Surfing is much more difficult for the beginner to get to the point where you’re catching waves and noticing improvement overall in how you’re doing with it than bodyboarding is. Without the required time and practice dedicated to surfing, you will often find yourself on a plateau in your progression.Bodyboards offer more stability than surfboards. There are no age limitations for bodyboard, even children can learn it. It is very easy to transport and move a Bodyboard, given its light weight. Bodyboards are very cheap and easy to buy; they are also very flexible and have great resistance for big waves.