How To Body Surf Waves

If you time it right, body surfing a wave towards the end of your swim can save you time and energy on your way to T1. Mark and James are here to show you how, with practice, you can let the wave do the work for you in the open water.

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Have you ever body surfed a wave in a Triathlon? Let us know down below 👇

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[gtn]

Have you ever body surfed a wave in a Triathlon?

This is crazy. I used to do this all the time as a kid without realizing its an important technique. Its so fun to do! Especially when you catch it right and it gets you ALL the way to shore. So cool!

[coachjohn]

Living only 5 miles from the beach in Florida I have body surfed my whole life. Great tips in this video. My best wave wasn't in Florida though it was surfing at Waikiki in Hawaii. Rode (on a surfboard) over 1/4 of a mile through 3 breaks...life memory.

[Joneshing]

Body surfing is absolutely a great skill to have. Any surfer who's been out in double overhead waves, had their leash snap and had to swim back to shore, will tell you. Thanks for posting this!

[vanehupa]

Yes!!! I have done it. Born and raised in the Canary Islands. Great tips!! For sure is a useful skill to have.

[SwimDudeSwim]

This looked like a really fun day of filming! We practice skills like this all the time in Southern California. Great to see some swim content with open water specific info!

[koruoverland]

I absolutely love this video!! Such an underdeveloped skill but amazing to watch

[joelbaptista]

I can't believe this. Yesterday, I went to a pool with waves and I tried to body surf (spoiler alert: it didn't went well), and today you're posting a video explainning that. Why me?

[rohanscaysbrook]

When the wave becomes white water you should not try to spin the arms. This will cause drag and cause you to slow down and fall off the back of the wave. Take some advise from the Australian Surf lifesavers and put both arms straight out in front, keep your body as straight as possible, head down and kick hard.

[lwittrock]

Yes! When open water swing and there are waves, i can't wait to surf one in as it just helps me catch my breath for the Bike and it's just faster.

[JMcLeodKC]

Those waves are perfect lefty and righties so angling like that when you drop in will give you a longer ride. If you want the fastest way to the beach, you’ll want to drop straight down. A couple of big dolphin kicks right when the wave is breaking will help you catch it.

[jobanski]

I only have two body surfing experiences. My first was in Los Cabo San Lucas, MX (just before a tropical storm hit), and the other was at Virginia Beach, USA. Virginia was a bit better, because the beach wasn’t so abrupt if that makes sense. It’s truly an amazing feeling!

[ginahebert]

Thanks!! Looking forward to using the tips.

[nickmedley]

Best bodysurfing experience I've had was at Huntington Beach, CA. There was a regular surfing competition happening because the waves were fantastic. I just found a patch and went the whole day.

[Uk.mattdaniels]

I loooove body surfing, when I wake up in the mornings I go swim in the ocean and the seals play also body surfing, it is so much fun!

[richardelliott]

body surfing is very instinctive, drift wood can do it. simplest instruction is to position yourself in front of a wave with your hips higher that your shoulders. do it skillfully and modifying behavior to better match the natural wave energy around you becomes a zen like pursuit.

always honor the ocean before going in, as tradition suggests. . this gives you time to look and understand the situation before you go in the water.

[al-dorifto]

Im here to learn cuz i have a major fear of my surfboard snapping ot loosing my leggy in head high plus surf, snapped board once in double overhead in the Shorey but it was wsy yo big i hot stuck n didn't know ehat to do, i goy told to body surf but i can only body surf in water depth i van touch and bout waist height

[bertranddarnault]

I recommend bodysurfing underwater in a streamline for the most speed and efficiency. It offers much lower drag if you can do without a visual.

You can ride the wave straight or at an angle, just like on the surface. Simply hold a streamline and dolphin kick for more speed. Most of the time you can make it to the sand without a single kick.

This is also an easier technique to learn for swimmers familiar with streamlining. As a bonus you get a unique sensation of shooting through water like a torpedo!

[stevenagel]

i remember last year one of the super league races was hugely effected by this.

[mirzapa]

Hey kooks. Nobody bodysurfs with effing goggles