Cheyne,
I spied this thread a few months ago and finally decided to chime in. I just went for a body surf today for the first time in a while and it felt great. I absolutely LOVE it! I go through stretches in my suns and moons on this planet where I will favor bodysurfing over board surfing and eat it up. In my opinion it is the most intimate form of connecting with a wave. Now don’t get me wrong, board surfing is my first and truest love, but my love for bodysurfing is unconditional and I hold it dear to my heart through the constant heckling from my friends to the tune of “True Waterman” as I am the only one in the crew who body surfs (or fishes with a sling for that matter). No hand boards, no lunch trays, just me, my fins, and the ocean. As an exercise it can’t be beat. It can be a thorough workout, a walk in the park, or an all out beating-pounding-thrashing depending on the spot and swell. It is the easiest quiver to take traveling, the ultimate “one board” quiver. Two fins always, although I have given one a go occasion for various reasons (splitting a pair between friends, lost one, couldn’t find it, kept surfing because it was epic, etc…) I have owned several pairs of fins throughout the years (some better than others) and have settled on a pair of Makapuus and Hydro Fins for the time being. The black and blue are full length un-modified Hydro Fins and I use them for most of my surfing. They are a great all around fin and work well in most conditions. The blue and yellow and orange and black are modified Makapuus. These are my stubbys for when it is absolutely dumping full bore whomp style (the masochist in me loves the punishment). I feel the modified short blades helps keep my feet attached to my ankles when Marine St. and the likes is bombing. Longer blades are definitely great for propulsion, but the shorter the blades, the less it feels like your feet are going to be ripped off your ankles in the wash cycle. The blue and yellow is your standard R. foot Makapuu made in Mexico that we have all come to know and love. The orange and black is a L. foot made in Malaysia and is a bit stiffer than the normal blue and yellow and I like to use it for my left to add a little bit of kick since they are modified so short. Much respect to the “men” of the Wedge and body sliders around the world. UDTs are on the way (as blanks of course)!
Burnsie,
I use both the arm extended and arms at the side technique for the ride. I use a combination of a modified freestyle stroke and a modified backstroke for paddling purposes. The dolphin kick also has its place in body surfing (primarily duck dives and take offs). Check Carve’s tech. in his pics. and Daveg456’s tech. in his video they have it down to a science. Back stroke, freestyle, bicycle kick, dolphin kick, treading water, taking off late right at the curl, barrels, rolls, under water take offs… Once you get it dialed, the sky is the limit.
Taylor O,
I just donned a full suit today. Don’t let anything stop the stoke of the slide.
Benny1
Right on brother. May good swell come your way for passing the stoke on. Half of the kids look at me like I’m nuts the other half seemed pretty stoked too. What’s a trip is I find there are times when it is crucial to ride seal style, yet there are times when it is as equally crucial to ride with an arm extended as a planning surface as in the video daveg456 posted.
Dudley,
I prefer smaller fins as well. Especially my modified Makapuus for when its whomping to keep my feet attached to my ankles. The Hydro Fins are not too short or too long and work great for most other conditions. UDTs are on the way for when it’s much bigger and breaking outside as I feel the longer, stiffer (still modified of course) blade will help me get in to the waves earlier.
Keith,
I love that take off style. I also find that I cruise around in the lineup on my back, and will only use a freestyle stroke when I’m hustling to get into position for take off.
9N78W
I like Vipers (short and long) and the many flavors of Duck Feet as well, and both are on the menu after the UDTs.
Ambrose,
For me sometimes it really does boil down to “board” riding v. “WAVE” riding. The feeling is so intense, so much more intimate and sensual.
Carve,
Nice pics. The technique is flawless. PWNAGE!
Honolulu,
True, true. A closeout is a close friend when body surfing. Nothing is too late, except not going at all.
Dale,
WOW! That shot of Pete is all time. Beautiful.
Chips,
Nice shots of Sandgroper’s “Dolphin Glide” style. Keep em’ coming.
Daveg456,
Oh my! What a truly righteous video. So dreamy. Stoke on you. If that is you in the video, good sir you rip!
Gatordave
I couldn’t agree with you more. Making a barrel bodysurfing is a life altering experience. It will change your perspective on surfing forever. You will never look at wave riding the same ever again. Slide on brother, slide on.
