With
a little bit of training skimboarding can become a fun and a recreational sport.
I am going to start from the ground up on skimboarding. If you have already
purchased a board, keep reading. If not, you can purchase a board from any local
surf shop or look on the buyer's guide on the main page. If you are new to skimming,
you will need to learn how to ride on sand before going after waves like the
more experienced skimmers do. No matter if you have a wooden or a foam board
learning to ride on sand is very important.
When learning to skimboard, try to find a less crowded beach. Also, it is easier
to learn on a beach that is flat and gives lots of space to learn. If the beach
has a lot of rocks, look for another beach area. Rocks will damage your feet
and board.
NOTE:Before taking your first try at skimboarding you need to apply wax to the
board. Mr. Zogs Sex Wax or Stick Bumps are both good brands.
WARNING: Take caution when starting to ride on a skimboard. On wet sand the
board is very slick and can slide from under you very easily. If you are not
careful injury may result.
The
take off area is a very important part of skimboarding. Once you start riding
waves, positioning of this spot is very tactical. Although, since we are only
interested in riding the sand at this point, we will talk about the take off
spot later.
When you throw down your board, you need to throw it on the sand that is the
freshly soaked from the last wave. Usually, you want to do this when a wave's
wash is flowing back toward the ocean. To start, stand at the shoreline where
the dry and wet sand meet.
Getting
on the board to beginners is the trickiest thing. How should I hold the board?
How do I throw it? What foot do I put on first?
First, I'll tell you how to hold your board. Depending if you are a lefty or
a righty, you will want to put on hand on the edge of the board and the other
on the back of the board. At home try various hand positions to develop the
best feel for you.
Throwing the board is the easiest part probably. You will want to hold the board
out in front of you and easily slide it along the sand. If the board doesn't
slide then you will have to throw the board closer to the water or on sand that
is more wet.
Once you have lightly pushed the board on the sand you will have to get on the
board. I get on my board with my back foot first. I have seen others get on
it with their front foot first. Beginners tend to jump on the board with both
of their feet at the same time. It all depends on personnal preference.
The
fun part at last! They're are numerous possible things you can do once you are
riding on the board. You can get a long sand ride down the beach or you can
try 360s in the water or you can ride a wave or launch off of a wave. You are
the judge now.
Make sure you always watch out for swimmers that may in your way. Always skim
where there are no people around and always obey lifeguards. But most of all
have fun.
WARNING-Getting hit in the foot or ankle by one of these boards is very painful.
Always watch out for the board when getting off of it.
