Eppo's tip: When a wave is going to break on your head, the best place to be is right underneath it. By being able to dive deep, you can escape a pounding if you can get under the whitewater explosion. The key to duckdiving is balance. As a wave approaches, place one knee in the middle of your board. At the same time use both hands to grab your mils just down from the nose. In a smooth, flowing action, push the nose of your board underneath the surface. To get maximum depth, push down with your knee and at the same time stmighten your free leg and hold it in the air as you begin to penetmte the surface. The idea of holding your leg out stmight is that, as you go under the wave, the whitewater pushes down on it and helps guide you forward. You should by then be using both arms to pull the nose of your board back towards the surface. Once you have cleared all the turbulence, resurface and return to your paddling position to continue on your way. The duckdive is the fastest and most logical way to get through whitewater.
from Bodyboarding Hot Tips + Maneuvres No. 3
Eppo's tip: There are several different techniques to this manoeuvre. The most popular is as follows. Ride on the tail of your board and drive your hip into the inside edge closest to the wave's face. When trimming to the left, lean on the left side. When going right, drive your hip into the right corner of your board. With speed, lean into your turn and think about where you want this line to take you. Using your arms to help steer the board, pull up on your outside edge with controlled power. Don't lean too much into the wave as It may cause you to lose speed and balance. The bottom turn Is an essential move to master and one of the first you should learn. A good bottom turn sets up your position for the rest of the wave.
from Bodyboarding Hot Tips + Maneuvres No. 3
Eppo's Tip: With momentum from your bottom turn, the next manoeuvre you should try to master is the cutback. With speed from your bottom turn, focus on the spot where you want to begin your carve. A cutback is best performed on the shoulder of the wave and Is useful in getting back to the wave's power source. Once in position, slide your hands to the front of the board and hold your nose. Drive your hip into the inside back corner of your board. This will help keep you from losing your edge while turning on the wave's face. As a means of keeping the cutback flowing I keep my legs just touching the surface of the water to prevent bouncing out. When the cutback is 90 per cent complete, begin to rcentre your weight and look in the direction you now want to head. Another method of doing the cutback keeping your hands on the rails rather than shifting them up the rails.
from Bodyboarding Hot Tips + Maneuvres No. 3
Eppo's Tip: There are many variations on this move, but as far as beginners are concerned the handdrag spinner is the one to master first. Try catching a bit of whitewash and, as the wave picks you up and carries you along, build up speed. Once you have enough momentum to get out in front of the whitewater, stick your hand in the wave close to your inside rail. Now push forward in a circular direction and at the same time lift your legs. Slide your bodyweight into the centre of your board or you'll lose your balance and fall off. Keep your hand still in the wave until you have completed half the rotation then return it to your rail. Always look in the direction you are turning and once you have gone full circle re-gather your trim position and ride on. The key to pulling off the spinner is having enough speed to begin with. The more speed you have the easier it is to spin.
STEP BY STEP
1. Focus on the spot where you want to commence your rotation
2. Begin the spin by releasing your rail and slide forward on your board.
3. Keep your board flat to surface while lifting and bending your legs.
4. Once you have completed a full circle, slide back into position.
5. Ride on to the next wave section.
from Bodyboarding Hot Tips and Manuevres No. 3
