Choosing the right bodyboard size is a vital part of your progress as a rider. If you have the ideal bodyboard features and benefits for your abilities and needs, it would only ensure that your rides are fun, and at the same time, epic. Now that you have finally decided to buy yourself your first bodyboard, you might be troubled by what size you should be getting. To add, you may also wonder which bodyboard suits your needs and preferences.
To make an intelligent buying decision, your bodyboard should fit these three criteria: your height, level of sports knowledge, and weight. Therefore, in this post, we will be discussing everything you need to know about choosing the right bodyboard size. After all, the bodyboard might just be one of your most prized possessions, as well as your best traveling companion. Read on if you want to know more.
How to Choose the Right Bodyboard
There could be several variations between bodyboard manufacturers and their designs, all of which play a major role as to how a bodyboard performs for you. Thankfully, we have prepared this guide to help you decide which bodyboard suits you best. We also recommend that you get to know these bodyboards first before you use your hard-earned money to pay for it.
Before we proceed with the discussions on how to choose the right bodyboard size, we first should talk about the main features of a bodyboard. Generally, bodyboards are made of these two core materials: polypropylene foam (PP) and dow polyethylene foam (PE). When compared, PE is flexible, heavier, and perfect for low temperature. Meanwhile, PP is more lightweight and stiffer, especially in cold water conditions.
Stringers are the latest additions to modern bodyboards, which increases strength to its core. Generally, these stringers are removable, especially if you are engaging inwave riding conditions. Don’t worry because you can always reattach it for other rides.
Bodyboard tails, on the other hand, are the water’s last exit point before they leave the board’s bottom. Those that have bat and crescent shapes are common among modern-day bodyboards. To differentiate, bat-type tails loose while crescent-type tails tend to stick the bodyboard to the wave.
Width is also a factor that needs to be considered when choosing the right bodyboard for you, as it dictates its performance. In case you don’t know, wider boards exhibit greater buoyancy; therefore, they might be a lot more challenging to turn. Modern models, however, are narrower, allowing better performance and speed turns.
Lastly, take time to consider the bodyboard’s thickness. Latest bodyboard models have grown slimmer, around 51mm, which effectively increases maneuverability, as well as a better response in terms of your quick movements.
We know that once you have found the right kayak for you, you could not wait any longer to test it in the water. While we understand the excitement, we also need to stress the importance of knowing how to properly kayak before you head out. Kayaking is a very popular water sportand for good reason. It is very easy to learn and can surely provide you with unforgettable experiences.
Knowing how to paddle properly, how to launch your kayak, as well as get back into the shore and the steps to do in case the kayak capsizes are all very crucial for every kayak enthusiast to know. In this post, we will be talking about how to kayak, especially what beginners like you need to know. Hopefully, this article would be of great help when you set out to kayak.
Entering
and Exiting Your Kayak
·Ensure that your kayak is
already in water with its nose facing out.
·Place your paddle away but make
sure that you can reach it once you get in the kayak.
·Place only one foot into the
kayak.
·Using your hands, grab both side
of the kayak for balance.
·Once you have lowered yourself
into the kayak, bring the other leg inside.
How
to Hold the Kayak Paddle
·You may start by holding the
paddle using both your hands while centering the shaft on top of your head.
Make sure that your elbows are bent at 90°.
·Ensure that the blades are in
line with one another. Take a second to further adjust the blades if they
appear offset from each other.
·Notice if the longer edge of
each blade sits on top. This is the most accurate position, allowing you to
move the paddle efficiently and smoothly through the water.
·In addition, make sure that the
scooped sides of the kayak paddle blades are facing towards you. You may have
to look very closely, as the curves are subtle.
·You may now place your large
knuckles on the paddle shaft. This will make sure that they are in line with
the top blades.
·Make the ‘O’ shape using your
index finger and thumb while you lay your remaining fingers onto the shaft. You
may also have to be a bit more relaxed, as gripping may only tire your hands a
lot quicker.
Surfing is a
world-renowned and dynamic water sports millions
of people engage in. In fact, surfing has successfully inspired many variations
that include wakeboarding and windsurfing, making it one of the most loved
sports in the world. Whether you surf professionally or as a hobby, you sure
would like to improve your surfing skills by acquiring a new
set of tricks.
In this post, we will
be discussing five of the best surf skills you
can learn – longest barrel, 360° air, kick flip, backflip,
and rodeo flip. While we will provide you with valuable
information about these tricks, practice is still essential to be able to fully
learn these skills. Hopefully, this article would be your trusted guide before
you go out to try these new skills and tricks. Read
on if you want to know more.
1. Barrel
Often referred to as
the tube, the barrel is a surfing skill wherein you are inside a breaking wave
just beneath the crest or lip of a hollow wave. The surfer does this trick by
pulling in and moving inside the hollow wave. However, the surfer would be completely
hidden, especially if the watcher is situated on the shore.
From the surfer’s
perspective, however, he or she can see the light at the end of the barrel, the
same place where he or she hopefully emerges. While the barrel is one of the
most interesting and best tricks when surfing, it is also very challenging to
achieve, mainly because of the changing variations in the waves.
2. 360° Air
The 360° air trick used to have a bad reputation
because it was seen more like a simple flick rather than a powerful surfing
skill. However, this trick has gained more popularity in the recent decade, as
the reverses and spins could easily be incorporated into the surfer’s
maneuvers. In fact, surfer Kelly Slater took the skill onto the next level just
by grinding off the lip; thus, making it to the extended bucket, allowing him
to gain more speed to perform the next move.
The kick flip is also a very popular surfing
trick, in which the surfer flips his or her surfboard
360° along the axis extending from the nose onto the
board’s tail. This move is the most effective when the surfer is
regular-footed, as the board naturally spins clockwise if you see it from the
front, as well as counterclockwise, which is a completely different maneuver.
To perform this trick,
what you need to do first is to ollie. Put your back foot at the surfboard’s
back while your front foot is positioned at the center. Make sure that the
alignment should not be completely straight but a little pointed instead. As
you begin to slide your front foot, you would also want to flick out at the top
of your ollie. This trick surely would make your board flip. Just make sure
that you catch it right before you land.
While there are many
things that you need to learn when surfing, one of the
most important is the pop-up. Doing it right will have a huge impact on your
ride potential. It is a basic movement that every beginner needs to learn. This
will also have an effect on your progression, which makes it important to
master the techniques.
If you want to
know how to pop-up the right way, keep on reading
the rest of this post and we’ll let you know how exactly this can be done.
The best way to improve in your pop-up is to
practice it consistently at home on an even surface before you hit the waves.
A Step-by-Step Guide on How to
Pop-Up
One of the most
important things you should know is that there is no single way to do the
pop-up. There are different variations on how it can be successfully completed.
Different coaches may also have varying approaches on how they will be taught.
·The first thing that you obviously need to do is to paddle. Assume
the standard position and make sure that you are comfortable. The ideal
position is to have your back arched while your head is looking forward. Keep
your legs closed along the stringer.
·Start to position your hand for the pop-up. Have it tucked next to
the chest while keeping your elbows out. While you are doing this, keep your
feet together and your head held up high.
·Now is the time to ascend from the board. To do this, you will
need to perform a half push-up. Use your knees to lift your front body. While
you are looking forward, make sure that the other half of the body remains next
to the board.
·Bring your back foot forward into the position at the back of the
board. This way, your toes should be in front of your knee with the heel up.
While you are doing this, take note that you should not rely on your knees,
which is exactly the reason why you need to work on the strength of your upper
body.
·Once your back foot has landed on the board, next thing is to
follow with your front foot. At this point, it should be between your hands
fronting the board. This is the position where your chest is originally while
you were starting to paddle.
·Extend your legs and move your hands away from the board. Slowly
assume the standing position while keeping your arms evenly spread, which will
be instrumental in finding the balance of your body. Your knees and your back
should be slightly bent.
Aside from what has
been mentioned above, there is another variation that you might want to
practice. This is called the one-knee first, which you can complete by
following these simple steps:
·Start with the original position as it has been mentioned above.
·Slide one foot all the way to the back of the board. Assume a
kneeling position while keeping your hand firm on the board.
·Use your hand to push your body up and twist so that your feet
will be parallel to your board.
·While your back foot and lower leg remains at the back of the
board, slide the front foot and get ready to pop-up.
For a lot of swimmers, there is one thing that they constantly
want to improve – speed. This is especially true amongst competitive swimmers.
They often strive to break their previous records to be the fastest that they
can be.
If you want to learn how to swim faster,
keep on reading the rest of this post and learn from the valuable insights we
will be sharing. You need to master the right techniques while also keeping
your body in shape. Perhaps, the most important is to consistently practice,
making it possible to unleash the best in you.
How to Swim
Faster: Learn from These Tips and Tricks
If your style of choice is breaststroke, one of the most
important is for you to master the kick. Doing this correctly will make you
spend your energy wisely. This will also minimize the chances of suffering from
an injury, specifically knee or leg pain. The pleasure gained from swimming can
also be diminished when you have the wrong kick. With this, below are the
simple steps you need to follow to do the breaststroke right and make sure that
you will be moving swiftly.
·Pull the legs towards the pelvis. When you pull the feet, make
sure to take control of the movement. The heel should stay connected and the
knees should be close to each other. Ideally, the distance should not be more
than 30 centimeters. Otherwise, there can be resistance in the water, and this
can slow you down. The hips should remain straight.
·Once your feet are already approaching the pelvis, drop the hip a
bit and the knees, which will make you ready for the start of the kick.
·Once the legs are up, turn your feet to the side. If it is not
turned enough to the side, the resulting kick will be weaker and will not
propel you with enough speed.
·To end the kick, you must connect your feet. This will help you to
glide better and improve speed.
·After finishing the kick, raise your pelvis.
For a more detailed guide on how you can master the breaststroke
technique for you to swim faster, watch the
short video below.
Cut Down the Drag
Drag is one of the things that could slow you down when you are
swimming. This is caused by texture on the surface while moving in water. Your
goal is to swim with the least amount of drag as much as possible, which will
also allow you to move faster. This will lessen the resistance of the body as
you proceed to swim.
·Pay attention to what you are
wearing when you swim. Choose one that is tighter than your actual
size as it will eventually loosen. When the fit and the size is right, there
will be lesser resistance as you swim. Using a swim cap will
also help.
·When you are in the water, keep your body in a straight position.
The head should also be aligned to your spine.
·Swimming taller is another effective way by which you can decrease
drag. Essentially, what this means is that if you swim taller, you will be
creating lesser turbulence. To swim taller, you need to have your recovering
arm entered after passing through your head.
Kneeboarding is a popular water
sports activitymany love performing in the
flat water surface.
Also, it remains an alternative to water skiing and
even wakeboarding. Kneeboarding is performed by sitting down on
your knees on a board at the same time you have to hold to a rope as a boat
drag you throughout the sea.
For beginners, the most difficult part of performing
kneeboarding remains to find difficulty getting up on the board. How to kneeboard like a maestro depends on how
much you practice regularly. Once you learn the tricks of getting up and
positioning your body, you can become an expert in kneeboarding like a pro.
If you are a beginner,
there is a rotary moulded board available that remains soft, robust with wider
edges. The design helps a starter to control the board smoothly while surfing.
It reduces the risk of falling and even if you fall, it lessens the possibility
of injury. There is advanced
kneeboard available specifically crafted for experts. The light-weight boards
remain lean with sharp edges. The boards will allow the rider to create more
speed producing turns and move.
Major safety rules you must strictly follow!
·Wear fitted flotation all the
time. The jacket will snugly fit your body covering your chest, abdomen, and
back preventing you from slipping on the body when you fall.
·Make sure the equipment is in
good condition. Your safety depends on the equipment you use.
·Give starting signal to the
boat driver only when you are ready.
·Never ski near to pilings,
docks, swimmers and other boats. Check your surroundings where you are planning
to ride to avoid a collision.
·Don’t sky in shallow water or
area where there can be obstruction beneath the surface.
Now let’s have a look how to kneeboard like an expert.
Techniques to improve your kneeboard riding
1. Strengthen your body and stretch
You can perform various yoga poses to stretch and strengthen your body. This would make
your body flexible and ready enough to hit the water. A triangular pose remains
greatly to stretch your back. Focus exercising those muscles as it remains for
those who perform water sports activities regularly.
2. Pick up the right board
You should pick the right board that
suits your skill level. Compression moulded boards remain slender, flimsy and
more responsive. They are good for wake jumping and moves. Roto-moulded boards
remain thick made of plastic. Youngsters can use them as they remain stable and
inexpensive. The new sandwich construction boards are in greater demand due to
its performance and ride-ability. They are strongly built, responsive boards
for a faster movement.
3. Choose the correct rope
There are two types of ropes accessible: no stretch and low
stretch. No-stretch ropes provide solid, consistent pull, and they remain safer
to aim wake tricks. Low stretch ropes are great for kids. Also, look into the
rope length. You may start short with 40 feet and
if you can leap the wake effortlessly, extend the rope further. The rope length
for top-level riders varies from 45 to 85 feet.
4. Position your body
When you are on land,
lie down on the board placing your elbows where your knees end up. Firmly hold
the handle and pull the rope slightly to stimulate the pull of the boat. Move
your knees slowly up to the board and make sure your knees touch your elbows.
Now you can put your weight back on your heels holding the handle near to your
body. While boarding makes sure, you keep your arms straight by pushing the
handle down.
Maintain the proper
body position on the kneeboard is essential. You can start by lying down on
your stomach in water, top of the kneeboard. Hold your weight back and keep the
board straight facing the boat. Hold the handle on the front with your both thumbs
and place your elbows near to your knees. Using your elbow balance the board
and once you are ready, ask the driver to start moving slowly.
Now, slowly move your knees to your elbow keeping the tip off the board straight and make sure you
balance your weight back properly. Now once your knees start touching your
elbows, move on back keeping your arms straight and push the handle slightly
low. Maintain your body position on the board for 20 seconds. Slowly you can
position your shoulder back keeping your arms straight and low.
6. Steer the board
You can steer the board by hastily changing directions. If
looking to steer the board towards the wake, try out each cut by simply angling
your head and shouldersusing your knees and
by placing the tip off the board to the direction you wish to move on. While
cutting, make sure you keep your shoulders back and initiate the handle to the
opposed hip of cutting direction.
7. Be familiar with kneeboard tricks
Once you can change
kneeboard positions effortlessly, you can try out some kneeboard tricks to have
fun deep-water. You may try side slides for 5 seconds. The process involves
turning the board sideways to the boat. You may use your knees to spin the
board 90 degrees towards the boat. Hold the handle near to your hip and
entirely turn yourself sideways.
Turningthe kneeboard front to back position is a trick you can try out
through the waves. You should turn 180 degrees to reverse position keeping the
tip of the board pointing away from the boat. Make use of knees, hips, and head
to turn the board 180 degrees to the boat. Simultaneously you can release the
handle using hand towards the direction you travel. Once you gain confidence in
kneeboarding, you can try out a few other board tricks like double wake
crossing, backward steering, and backward wake crossing.
8. Never look down
When you are performing water sports activities, one
thing you should keep in mind, never look down or else, you will fall. Keep
your eyes straight ahead to have fun and to stay safe. When trying boarding
tricks, don’t leave the handle. If you do so suddenly, it would eradicate
forward and rotational movement. Even if you doubt it’s difficult for you to
make it out, hold on until you land safely.
Initially, you may find the water sports activity very
stressful but never give up. Keep on trying and try out different tricks to
succeed. Remember, kneeboarding is fun and make sure you ride with your friends
to enjoy the game at the fullest. You will progress slowly and become a pro in
kneeboarding with no time.
