Tips From Top Bodysurfers On How To Leave These Common Mistakes Behind Going Into 2020

At the Australian Bodysurfing Classic 2022, we saw multiple frontflips pulled off, belly spins, barrel rides, el rollos…the list goes on and on. 

People were left scratching their heads, asking themselves... how? Where am I going wrong?

We decided to pick the brains of some top bodysurfers in the WAW team on what they’ve noticed are common beginner mistakes and provide advice on how to get more out of your bodysurfing leading in 2022. 

1. Choosing your equipment

Everyone is always looking for the faster more powerful fins. My tip would be to just find what’s most comfortable for you, get in the water and practice. The more swimming with fins the faster and more powerful you’ll get out there. - Nick Brbot

2. Attitude 

I see people get so angry that they didn’t make that barrel or they didn’t land that trick. Bodysurfing in my opinion is the most fun you could have in the world - you shouldn’t be angry at the things you’re not doing when bodysurfing but focus on the things you are doing and enjoy it! - Corey Sainsbury

3. Positioning

A common mistake is when a novice bodysurfer sits in the lineup in the worst spot for takeoffs. Don’t just jump in blindly - take a bit of time on the beach to assess what the waves are doing and where the best take off spots are”. - Zachary Hancock

Julian Moncrief backs this up.

“You have to get your bearings and know where you want to be sitting when you’re taking on bigger surf. Bodysurfing on the North Shore of Oahu, you’ll find that the ocean currents can really move you around fast once it gets any sort of size. One second you’ll be in the perfect spot and the next, you’re deep in the impact zone or so far on the shoulder you’ll never catch anything. Watching the sets from shore and picking two landmarks on either side of the peak you want is a good way to get started. Then when you get out to the lineup, you can keep yourself between the two spots you picked and find the peak easily.”

4. Commitment

“One mistake applies when the waves get bigger. When people don’t commit to the wave and end up getting caught in the lip. The best way to rectify this is to try and match the momentum of the wave. Paddle hard and commit yourself to getting down and across the face before the lip curls over.” - Hamish Burrell

5. Hesitation

Don’t commit late or hesitate!

“Definitely most common mistake is hesitation. 

Only way to rectify is don't hesitate, just go!!! Give it your all and go! “- Jana Walden

6. Keep your speed up

“I’ve missed barrels and witnessed a lot of missed barrels due to people trying to stall to get in the tube. As bodysurfers we are already slower than bodyboarders/surfers and stalling will only let the wave swallow you up. Unless you’re Mike Stewart, your best shot of making a barrel is to keep that speed up as much as possible!”

- Paul Khodor

7. Use your whole body

If your not putting the body into bodysurfing your losing speed!

“As your going across the wave, lean more and more into it. Use your whole body.” - Jack MacRae

8. Use your kick

“My number one tip has to be choose the right handplane of course :). But also - don’t stop kicking. When you think you've "caught the wave" don't stop kicking, kick a few more times to really make sure.”

- Rikki Gilbey, founder of WAW Handplanes

9. Don’t be tense and frantic

When people start bodysurfing they tend to exhaust themselves by tensing up and paddling frantically to get into the wave. Try to relax - once you’ve committed to a wave, do long smooth calm strokes, kick and feel the energy take you along.

- Morgan Launer

10. Practice holding your breath

“You can practice periodically throughout the day by simply holding your breath while you are sitting around waiting for other things to happen. Focus on remaining calm all the way through your hold and exhale slowly and peacefully. The more you practice finding that place of calm, the more you’ll be able to naturally do so while underwater. The ability to keep calm underwater will make holding your breath easier which in turn makes charging larger waves possible and much more fun.” - Julian Moncrief

So, which of the above tips are you going to use in 2022? Share your thoughts and any other game-changing tips in the comments below.

Read more: Bodysurfing For Beginners

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