How to Body Surf

Jump into the action this summer by learning how to body surf.

Warning
Never swim alone in the ocean. Beware of coral, jellyfish, and unexpected sandbars.

Step 1: Find the right beach
Look for a beach with a gentle slope, which will allow you to wade out into the water for some distance. Beginners should pick a beach with waves that don't get any higher than about 4 feet.

Step 2: Swim toward the shore
Wade into the water past the breaking waves. Push off the ocean floor, and swim toward the shore as the wave approaches you from behind. As it nears, kick to gain speed and raise your body to the surface.

Step 3: Let the wave lift you
As the wave begins lifting you up, dive so your head and shoulders are lower than your hips and legs. As it continues to lift you, your head and shoulders will come up.

Step 4: Keep rigid
As the wave is breaking, stop kicking and keep your body stiff as a surfboard, with your arms in front of you as you ride the wave.

Warning
Always keep your hands straight out in front of you to protect yourself from spinal injury should the wave send you crashing headfirst into the sand.

Step 5: Begin kicking
After the wave breaks, bring your feet back together and start kicking hard, keeping your head down, your back arched, and your arms in front. Continue swimming toward shore until you can stand up.

Step 6: Repeat
Wade back out into the sea. If you look at the next wave and decide you don’t want to surf it, turn to the side and drop the shoulder that faces the sea; this will push your body out to the other side of the wave.

Did You Know?
Body surfing burns about 200 calories an hour.

[vasupdog]

As a guy who has lived at the beach his whole life these videos are so funny to watch :3

[Rolfadinho]

Guy in video: "Never bodysurf alone."

(Man goes out into sea alone)

Totally defeated the purpose.

[hallerd]

Another tip: When Bodysurfing in clearwater always bring goggles! Spot the sharkies and critters before they spot you!

[shredthenarbro]

I thought bodysurfing meant riding a wave, not swimming with a wave. Kooks like this get my shit heated.

[vasupdog]

Step 7: chuck on some fins.... swim to back and catch a 6fter

[nfsmw]

@JesusACruz64 Yes, and to tense your abs.
You also don't have to keep your head down, I actually hate having my head down in the water because I can't see where I'm going.

[Jesserulztheworld]

"beginners should start out with waves that don't go any higher than 4 feet"
SO I HAVE TO MOVE FROM AUSTRALIA!?!?!

[window]

Step 1 is wrong. Get the biggest fucking wave you can... its just more fun

[tryptala]

This is hilarious. It's a spoof, right?

[JesusACruz]

Wow. They didn't mention to suck & hold in your breath to help you float like a surfboard when surfing the waves.

[tgl]

@HeseQ I strongly suggest watching videos of the best bodysurfers on earth, and study their technique. All the guys in my youtube vids are A+ caliber bodysurfers. Watch how they ride, and copy them. Also search for videos about "bodysurfing" the folllowing spots: pipeline, wedge, point panics, sandy beach. I know there are vids of Mark Cunningham, Matt Larson, Mel Thoman, Wedge crew, Steve Kapela, Mike Stewart, JT Nickelson, Keith Malloy and a bunch of others... Watch them & copy.

[sergiomontesviva]

i agree with wave masher ! can i get that web site ? trails !

[nfsmw]

@fishadams Yeah, I hate having my head down in the water, you can't see where you're going or whats happening

[AidanGunn]

this so so funny "how to body surf" the guy can't even body surf. This is just teaching people that want to bodysurf the wrong way

[Annamisasa]

Oh, I don't a body to bodysurf? Cool!

[lousansevero]

Maybe use fins and turn into the barrel

[tgl]

WOW. I think the makers of this video got every single aspect of bodysurfing wrong... First clue was the incorrect spelling of "body surf" (it is "bodysurf").

[HeseQ]

@tgl9000 Do you, or anybody else, know where to find some good lessons on bodysurfing?
I would love to be able to do this
Much appreciated !!

[Sleepyhead]

this only shows how to bodysurf really small waves :(

[fishadams]

@98nfsmw98 and you can turn and ride barrels etc etc.