Skimboarding is one of the funniest and fastest growing sports in the world. It consists of using a skimboard (basically a small surf without fins) to slide on the sand or water and ride the waves. If you've never tried it before, it might scare you. However, by purchasing the right skimboard for you, finding a great spot and mastering the basic techniques, you can learn the sport in no time!
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Finding the Right Table and Right Place
Step 1. Purchase a small flat wooden board if you will mostly be sliding on the sand
It's usually easier to skimboard on land than on the water, so you should start there. A flat board, like all wooden ones, is enough to slide on the sand. In addition, wooden models usually cost less than foam ones, so they are ideal for those who don't want to spend too much.
- The price of a wooden board is around € 100.
- You can buy them in many sports stores and on the internet.
Step 2. Choose a curved foam board if you want to glide over the water
Once you have learned to slide on the sand, if you want to try to enter the water you will have to buy a lighter board than the wooden ones. Foam is a lighter material than wood, so it's ideal for boards to use in the water. Often these patterns are also curved, to help you break the waves.
The price of a foam board is around € 200, but can go up to € 600
Step 3. Find a flat beach to try skimboarding
The best beaches for skimboarding are those with smooth, flat sand. If, on the other hand, you prefer to go into the water, look for a coast with strong waves and large enough to be able to reach the shore.
- If you're more interested in skimboarding in the water, look for a beach with a steep bottom.
- Some of the most popular beaches for skimboarders are in San Diego (California), England and Florida.
Step 4. Make sure you are able to run and jump smoothly
Skimboarding is a strenuous sport; if you are not in perfect physical shape you could get injured. Don't try this activity if you are unsure whether you can take short sprints, jump on the board, and are unwilling to fall a couple of times while trying to learn.
Keep your leg and back muscles stretched, warm and strong as you learn to skimboard to avoid injuries
Part 2 of 3: Mastering the Basics
Step 1. Lean forward and hold the board about 6 inches above the sand
This is the starting position for the skimboard, on sand or in the water. If you are right, turn your left side towards the water; do the opposite if you are left handed.
- While holding the board, place one hand on the tail and one hand on the side handle.
- Keep the board parallel to the ground. One of the most common mistakes in skimboarding is aiming the board high before throwing it, slowing down the speed of the slide a lot.
Step 2. Throw the board in front of you when the sand is wet
The ideal time to throw the board is when you notice a thin layer of water on the sand, about 5-10 mm. If you want to slide on the sand, throw the board as soon as the wave is sucked into the sea. If you want to get in the water, throw it just before a wave arrives.
- Make sure you throw the board parallel to the coast, so you can take a longer ride.
- You can also take a run up before throwing the board, in order to have a higher speed. However, it is not strictly necessary if you are able to throw the board with sufficient force.
- To begin, practice throwing the board from the starting position a couple of times to learn the technique and understand how much force is needed.
Step 3. Run across the board instead of jumping on it once launched
If you jump on a moving skimboard you will immediately fall. Instead, run alongside the board at the same speed. Place your front foot just past the center, then step up with the other foot behind the first.
- Using this method the board will not lose speed when you get on it (on the contrary, if you jump on it, the board will break the surface tension of the water and stop sliding).
- Try to take 2-3 running steps before getting on the board.
- Don't push too hard on the first foot you put on the board, or you will throw it forward, away from you.
- Make sure you wear a helmet the first few times you try to get on the board, so that you are not at risk in the event of a fall. It is not easy to learn to mount on the board without falling, but with practice you will be able to master this technique!
Step 4. Keep your knees bent and your body weight centered on the board
This is the ideal position to stay balanced on the skimboard and not fall. If you slide on the sand, apply more pressure with your front foot. When you are in the water, on the other hand, apply more pressure with your back foot as the board makes contact with the surface of the water, so that the front part is not submerged.
- Maintaining a squatting posture on the skimboard is also the right technique to stay balanced while sliding.
- The knees are very important to be able to stay balanced on the board, but they are also among the parts of the body exposed to greater risk. Stop skimboarding right away if you experience pain in those joints to avoid serious injury.
Step 5. Maintain balance until the board stops or shift weight to turn
Whether you are sliding on sand or water, you will usually just keep your balance on the board until it stops by itself. If you want to change direction, just shift your weight slightly to the side you want to turn.
You usually won't have to turn often if you slip on sand. Conversely, cornering is essential for riding waves and performing many tricks
Part 3 of 3: Learn the Most Popular Tricks
Step 1. Glide on a wave that is about to be born to ride it
Throw the board and start sliding towards the wave from a side angle as it begins to form. When you're on the crest of the wave, use your back foot to turn the board towards the shore. At that point, follow the wave to the coast.
Bend your knees when you are at the bottom of the wave to keep your balance
Step 2. Try a 180 ° turn to add more complex tricks to your repertoire
To complete a 180 ° turn, twist your hips in the direction you want to turn. Then, keeping your feet firmly on the board, turn your back leg towards your back, following the same direction you turned your hips. Finally, keep turning until you face the opposite direction from where you started.
- While it sounds simple, it is a difficult trick to perform, so don't try it unless you are already proficient in cornering.
- Once you are able to complete 180 ° turns, try making a full turn on the board to perform a “360”!
Step 3. Jump and rotate over the board to perform a body aerial
These tricks are very popular and you can learn how to do them with a little practice. When sliding at full speed, take off the board with both feet and rotate when in the air. To successfully complete the trick, land back on the skimboard while maintaining balance.
Even though the complete trick requires you to land on the board, just learning how to jump and spin over the skimboard is pretty impressive
Advice
- If you don't live near the sea you can try skimboarding on a river.
- If you really want to learn how to slide on the waves, consider purchasing a high quality board made of fiberglass or carbon fiber. This is the best long-term investment.
Warnings
- To reduce the risk of drowning, do not skim in deep water if you are a beginner. Practice on the sand first.
- You can use traction pads to avoid falling off the board, although they are not recommended for beginners. These are permanent rubber pads to be fixed to the board, which allow you to better adhere to the surface without falling.
- Don't skimboard in conditions that don't put you at ease. For example, if the waves seem too strong or big, don't go into the water.
