Date: 17 November 2016

To: Mr. James Monaghan

From: David Slifer

Subject: Instructions

How to Catch a Wave on a Bodyboard

Warning: Do not attempt to perform this task for the first time without a lifeguard or trusted
supervision. Do not attempt this task without proper understanding of rip currents or strong
currents. Do not attempt this task if you are not a confident or strong swimmer.

Introduction: Bodyboarding, to be differentiated from buggy-boarding, is similar to the art of

surfing. Instead of standing on your board, you will be lying down and riding the wave parallel to
the break, or area of the wave that is falling towards the Earth, until either the wave crashes in
front of you or you voluntarily leave the wave. Buggy-boarding refers to riding a wave closer to
shore directly on the break until you reach the shore. To bodyboard efficiently, and with the best
results, you will need to be able to paddle out to the farthest point in which the waves are
breaking. I will be performing this task as an example and include the necessary instructions. I
have over 20 years of experience in bodyboarding and have traveled around the world
performing this task.

Materials Required:
1. Bodyboard- Slick bottomed with at least one polypro stringer for durability. Consult your
local provider for more details concerning weight/height requirements for each board.
2. Fins- Correct sizing needed. Too big will result in less push, too small will result in
decreased comfort.
3. Leash- Required in most areas as a safety precaution so you do not harm others.
4. Bathing suit/Wet suit (depending on water temperature)- Recommended to reduce
discomfort.
5. Rashguard- Recommended to reduce the risk of rash caused by friction of your body
against the board.
6. Wax (Optional)- If you feel like you need extra grip on your board you may wax it to get a
better grip on the rails or the body of the board.

Instructions:
1. Dress accordingly before getting to the beach. Check water temperatures to determine
the necessity of a wet suit if the water is below 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. At the beach, do a thorough check of the waves and determine where they are breaking.
You will want to look for the farthest out breaks with the cleanest lines. Clean lines refer
to the breaking, or falling, of the wave in a manner that provides the furthest ride without
another break in the same wave.
3. Once you determine the best possible break, you will want to go down to the water’s
edge and position yourself so that you are furthest from the break but still close enough
that a parallel swim on your board will not take much time. This way you will not be
effected directly by the large crashing waves, making your paddle out much easier and
less dangerous.
4. Sitting down, place your fins on your feet. Attach the leash that is connected to your board
on either your right or left bicep. Ensure that is securely attached so that a wave will not
pull it off you.
5. When your fins and leash are secured, begin your walk into the water. You may choose
to either run, assuming you are comfortable with your fins, or walk. Beware of incoming
shore break and either jump over these if possible or turn your body sideways to reduce
the impact.
CAUTION/DANGER: If you are not a strong swimmer please do not continue. From here on
you will be in deep water and far from shore. You will be diving underneath large and
potentially powerful waves that could dislodge you from your board. You will run the risk
of drowning or getting pulled out by strong currents.
6. When you are past the initial shore breaks, there should be an area with very little activity.
Proceed to get on your board with the lower half of your body hanging off to ensure
maximum mobility of your legs. Depending on what feels most comfortable, you will want
to be kicking in an up and down motion, making maximum use of your fins, to propel you
forward. Holding the board with one hand at the very top of the board and paddling with
your alternate hand can help you paddle quickly.
7. You will be subject to continually crashing waves even if you have moved off enough to
miss the larger breaks you will be eventually riding. Since you cannot stand this far out,
you will be required to do a duck-dive.
a. Duck-dive: There will be a moment in the waves break where the white water will
begin forming at the very peak. At this moment, you will want to push the nose of
your board with both hands firmly until it is completely submerged. While doing
this, continue to kick strongly. This will help propel you forward. With the nose of
your board firmly underwater, you want to follow with the rest of your body while
continuing to kick. You will be diving underneath the initial shockwave caused by
the breaking wave and propel yourself behind the break. Your entire body should
be underwater for the entirety of the wave crashing. The arcing motion of you and
your board should push you underneath and have you come out the other side.
This will cause you to avoid the impact of the wave crashing and the power it
generates. A duck-dive can also be used if the wave has already crashed. You will
need to try and dive further underneath the ensuing white water, but the
technique will remain the same.
8. You will continue these duck-dives until you are past the breakers, or the point where the
waves cease to break and simply roll past you.
9. Once you reach this point, paddle yourself over the predesignated point where the waves
are breaking consistently and cleanly. Position yourself so that you can see each incoming
wave and can quickly turn and paddle if necessary.
10. The wave you are looking for is one that is just beginning to break. There is a distinct
point in the motion and breaking of a wave just before it begins to crash. You will notice
the previously smooth, lump like wave rise higher and more sharply. This moment, before
you see any part of it breaking into white water, is the best point to attempt to catch the
wave. When you recognize the pattern of each breaking wave, choose one to try and
catch.
11. When you pick out the wave you want, lower yourself into the same position you took
while paddling out: lower half of your body hanging off and one or two hands gripping
either the top or the top ¼ of the rails. Begin kicking with your feet vigorously as you move
at an angle between parallel and perpendicular with the wave.
12. There will be a moment when you feel the energy of the wave propelling you forward as
it moves to break. When you feel this energy overtaking your kicking, begin your descent
down the face of the wave.
13. Behind you the wave will begin crashing. Do not be alarmed. The amount of energy
produced by the wave and the gravity pulling you towards the ocean is more than enough
to see you outrun this.
14. Before hitting the bottom of the wave, about ¾ to 2/3 down the face of the wave, you
will want to sharply turn your board and your body so that you are parallel with the wave.
You should now be riding the face of the wave as it breaks behind you.
15. There are two possible outcomes from here:
a. You will catch a clean ride. This means the wave will only be breaking behind you
and not in front of you.
b. You will be cut off from the rest of the wave by it crashing.
16. In the first scenario, you will simply pull up sharply on the board and it will take you cleanly
off the wave and off to the other side. You can then begin to paddle back out to catch
more waves. Alternatively, you may turn your board towards the shore and ride the wave
back in to finish your session.
17. In the second scenario, you run the risk of wiping out. Wiping out is when the breaking
wave drags you underneath is and proceeds to churn you within its energy. While not as
dangerous on smaller waves, larger waves have the potential to keep you underwater for
many minutes and can cause drowning, concussions, or other bodily harm. There are two
possible ways to alleviate this issue:
a. Turn your board sharply into the face of the wave. Using a similar motion as a
duck-dive, push down on the board to shoot through the face of the wave and
safely out the other side.
b. Turn your board sharply towards the shore. This will be a rougher ride as you are
most likely going to catch either the incoming break or the break that has been
trailing you. Hold on tightly to the board and ride out the white-water swells.
18. After successfully catching a wave, you have the option to return to the break or go back
in. Repeat steps 6-17 as necessary. Enjoy and stay safe.