How to Boogie Board in the Ocean

There may come a time when you want to experience fun in the surf while on vacation or a quick trip to the beach. If you lack the skills to surf, you may want to try boogie boarding, also called body boarding. A boogie board allows you to ride waves with no need for you to learn how to stand and balance yourself on a surfboard.

Instructions

  1. The Basics

    • 1

      Attach the leash of the boogie board to your arm to ensure that you do not get separated from it.

    • 2

      Situate yourself on the board and paddle out to a point beyond where the waves are breaking. Avoid going to a point that is farther out than where you can comfortably stand up in the water and touch the bottom.

    • 3

      Hold the board with both hands. Hold your head up. Rest your chest, torso and legs on the board.

    • 4

      Wait for a wave to start coming in. Paddle with your arms and kick with your legs as soon as you see white caps that indicate the wave is breaking.

    • 5

      Grasp the board with your arms and ride the wave to shore. Steer the board using your arms to maneuver.

    Get Tricky

    • 6

      Get comfortable doing basic moves and learning to maneuver your board and gain the confidence to try a few advanced tricks. Purchase a board that is slightly sleeker and wider to really get these tricks to work.

    • 7

      Perform a "bottom turn" maneuver on the your boogie board by putting your weight on the left side of the board and pushing down on the rail of the board with your left elbow. Lift the other side of the board at the same time with your right hand. Lift the board off the water with your inside leg as you head into shore.

    • 8

      Execute a "cut back" maneuver by doing a turn to your left under the top of the wave. Cut back by shifting your weight against the outside of the rail. Press down with your right hand at the center of the right rail. Lift up the left corner of the nose of the board and make a strong turn to the left as you shift your weight to the center of the board.

    • 9

      Carry out a "drop knee" maneuver by pulling yourself over the deck of the board and dropping down into a wave. Place your left foot flat against the deck of the boogie board to form a 90-degree angle with your bent knee. Lower your right knee against the board to get balanced. Balance as you ride the wave by extending your arms. Drop back down onto your chest and ride away flat before the wave ends.