Hi I’m Adam 22 from Jersey C.I.

I'm new to Body Boarding & I need some help.

I really what to get in to Body Boarding as surfing don’t appeal to me and Body Boarding does.

I have no idea where to start, any suggestions?


Thanks

Hi Adam,

I just posted this response in another thread, but it looks like it applies to you too. I've cut out the parts that aren't relevant to your post, and altered it slightly for you. Hope it helps:


If you get a high spec board to start the sport with, then you can learn to ride that and get used to it straight away, instead of buying a cheaper low spec board and then having to change it once you want to progress. Higher spec boards obviously create better speed, use of power, turning and ease of riding. Although this means having to pay more. There are some things you need to consider when buying a new board:

1) Your height and weight
2)Where you surf, what temperature of water
3) What you have rode before
4) Are you going to travel
5) Your budget
6) And what kind of bodyboarding style you want, including if you're doing prone or drop knee, or both

Although the most important things are points 1, 5 and 6.
You will need the following basic gear:

1) A bodyboard (obviously)
2) Some bodyboarding fins - if you don't have these it's like driving a car without an engine!
3) Fin thethers/savers - attaches your fins to your ankles in case the fin comes off in the water
4) Leash - either a wrist or bicep coil leash to stop you loosing your board in the water
5) Surf wax - to keep you from sliding off the board must be soft and suitable for bodyboard surfaces
7) Depending on the time of year and place where you surf, a wetsuite, wetboots, wetgloves and hood. If it's warm then just some board shorts and a rashvest to stop the board rubbing on your chest.

There are loads of website you can find to help you decide on which gear to get, but I like this one:

http://www.bodyboardshop.com/default.asp


Click "Bodyboards" on the left:
Hot Buttered and BZ are really great makes in my opinion, they have lots of professional rider models such as Sean Virtue, Ben Player and Jeff Hubb. NMD are also a good well established make. I have a Manta board at the moment, they're quite a good board make to progress with for intermediates and are not overly expensive compared to other makes.
Look at the description of each board designer and see which one you'd like to look more at.

I think most the boards on this site have stringers. Next choose which board tail you'd like. Most of them are either bat tail or cresent tail:
Clipped Cresent - If you're looking for a great all round tail for both drop knee and prone riders, then this is the way to go.
Bat tail - Most the top end board come with bat tails and are suited for prone riders only, if you want to progress with drop knee don't go for this tail. Bats have more surface area giving more lift and less drag, therefore more speed! Although, sometimes this mean a slightly choppier ride and you have to control the speed to stop sliding.

Click "Board Design Info" on the top bar of the website I gave earlier, read up on that for more info. Read about what materials you want your board to be made out of in that section. Quite important.
You must also MAKE SURE you get the right size bodyboard or it won't do you justice. Click "Sizing Guide" in the top bar to determine what board you need, as well as fin sizes etc.

Click "Fins" on the left:
For fins it's best if you try them on in the shop. There's nothing worse than having cramp in your feet, or if they're too tight or loose when trying to have fun bodyboarding. The sizing guide should help on the website, but it's still best to try them on. You may also want to buy some fin socks so the fins don't rub on your feet, causing blisters or rashes. You then have to try fins on with the socks on too, otherwise the fins might be too tight, same applies if you're thinking of wearing wetboots.
I have Hydro Tech 2 fins which are super comfey and powerful, classed as one of the best fins out there, along side the classic Churchill fins. Although Churchill's are larger and less flexible in my opinion, maybe more prone to cause calve cramp. Viper fins are good for speed but are more uncomfey and really long and stiff. Some shorter fins are the Manta Sharp Cuts, if you can find them to buy, they're good for both prone and drop knee, and are really soft and comfey.
Check out the description on each fin on the website for more info.

You'll be able to find leashes, fin savers, wax, gloves and boots in "Accessories" on the left. And then wetsuites and rashies on the left too.

Get what you feel happy with and suites you, but make sure you get the right sizes and materials for boards. As well as a good comfey pair of fins, then add the accessories.

Sorry this has been such a long response, or if I said anything you already knew. Most of it is probably obvious Hope this helps, ask if you have any questions or want more help.

Andy

Thanks Airborne for the advice i will take a look at the site and in some local shops and let u guys know what i got in the end

[Edited on 10-6-2007 by AdamJSY]

No problem
Nice one, will look forward to hearing from you soon.