Basic And Useful Skimboarding Tips For Beginners
Skimboarding is one of the most exciting sports and is getting a lot of popularity across the globe for all the right reasons. Skimboarding entails the thrill of gliding over water and riding waves on a thin and finless skimboard.
Most people find skimboarding a little daunting at first. Well, if you're someone who is interested in this exciting sport, the good news is that you can learn how to use the skimboard in no time. All you have to do is get the right skimboard, find a nice location, and master basic skimboarding techniques.
Skimboarding Tips For Beginners:
Here are the best skimboarding tips for beginners to help you get started:
Skimboard Selection Tips:
Consider buying a beginner's board. If you're just getting started, you don't need an advanced carbon wave-skimmer. A flat, waxed wooden board will work just fine.
If you don’t like wax board, you can purchase a traction pad for your skimboard.
Safety & Preparation Tips For Skimboarding:
Carry a helmet if you're new to skimboarding.
Discover how tides affect and act at your favorite break.
Choose a peaceful spot on the beach (ideally away from crowds). It must be flat enough at the water's edge with soft sand and not a lot of churning surf or undercurrent.
Avoid skimboarding accidents. Plan each ride and visualize what you're going to do.
Stretch and warm-up before going skimming. Prepare the ankles and knees for powerful impacts.
Watch a few skimboard videos and hear from the experts.
Master the fundamentals of skimboarding before attempting to ride the first wave.
Never go to the steep shore break until you are completely at ease on the flat sand.
Before you throw the board, inspect your skimboarding area. Avoid surfaces that have tiny rocks or seashells on them.
Practice Tips For Skimboarding:
Practice how to skimboard on a flat surface.
Determine whether you instinctively ride "regular" or "goofy" in the same way you do in snowboarding or skateboarding (right or left foot forward). If you're unsure, any board shop will assist you in performing the blind "push" test.
Do a test run: Turn sideways to the shoreline. Next, turn to the right if you’re right-footed; left if you’re left-footed. Lower your board about six inches from the ground, wait for a wave to recede, then “shoot” the board like a pool ball, parallel to the shoreline. Stand up, chase the board, and step on it one foot at a time, bending your knees as you slide.
Try putting the board in front of you with one hand on the tail and one on the side for your first proper skim. Wait for a wave to roll out. Start your run while there is a thin layer of water on the shore and drop the board immediately in front of you. Then, rather than jumping onto the board, start by putting your lead foot.
Constantly change your stance during your training sessions.
When doing sliding over rails and ramps, protect the obstacles and yourself by removing sharp edges.
Whenever needed, fall on your butt.
Maintain a low and stable stance.
Place one foot at a time onto the skimboard.
If it's too windy to move the skimboard, apply a few grains of sand to the board's bottom for weight.
Keep your back foot on the back of your skimboard at all times.
You can go skimboarding on grass, ground, sand, and tarp.
Skimboarding Tips For Beginners:
Skimboarding is the same as any other sport; you just have to keep training. If you've mastered sand skimming, you will progress to wave skimming. It all comes down to gradual and steady growth. So, take it slow, and you will be riding the waves like a pro in no time.
Oh, and don't forget to make use of our skimboarding tips!