There’s nothing quite like the feeling of riding a wave. It’s almost impossible to visit the ocean without at least being intrigued by the art of surfing. The easiest introduction to surfing is through bodyboarding. Bodyboards can be found in many stores and near the beach it’s not hard to find rental bodyboards.

THE LEARNING CURVE FOR BEGINNERS IS VERY LOW
First timers can go out and have fun their very first time. Even if all you are doing is riding the “whitewash” from a wave that has already broken, the sensation of being propelled towards the shore can be exhilarating in and of itself for someone who is new to the ocean.

“NATURAL” FORM OF EXERCISE
Physical activity gets the blood flowing. Being outdoors, interacting with nature and harnessing its power and directing it with your own strength to travel at light speed across the ocean is much more fulfilling than working out in a gym or swimming in a pool.

YOU SET YOUR OWN LIMITS
Bodyboarding can be as challenging of a water sport as you want to make it. You may be comfortable riding soft, easy waves or you may want to push your limits by riding larger, more powerful waves. You may be happy enjoying the rush of surfing full speed across a long, lined up wave or you may want to push your own limits by performing critical direction changes or acrobatic maneuvers either on the wave or by using its force to project you into the air above the wave.

NEGATIVE IONS
The crashing surf creates negative ions in the air. Negative ions increase blood flow to the brain, which can in turn give you an energy boost, enhance your mood, and help relieve stress.

CLEANSING OF THE MIND
When you are riding waves, your body reacts to your mind and your mind is focused only on the ocean. The troubles of everyday life are momentarily forgotten and can help clear the mind and reduce stress.

So what are you waiting for? If you are looking for a water sport with lower cost and easier learning curve than surfing then bodyboarding may be right for you. Beg for, borrow, rent (but don’t steal) bodyboard and go catch some waves!

Steve Alexander (http://www.fullforcebodyboarding.com) is a seasoned bodyboarder with 20 years experience riding waves in California, Mexico, and Hawaii. Connections with bodyboard manufacturers including Element Bodyboarding and JL Designs have also given him insight into production aspects and he has custom-designed many of his own bodyboards.

This entry was posted on Monday, December 29th, 2008 at 1:14 am and is filed under sport2. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.