5 Secrets of an Easy Paddle out on a Bodyboard

Morocco Bodyboard-Holiday March 

This year’s bodyboard coaching holiday to Secret Morocco went down in style. Day after day of warm sunny weather, a great crew on the course and a good variety of different waves ridden through out the week.

Those that took the option of the North African Adventure Division trip also enjoyed a journey to the edge of the Sahara desert where they made camp for the night before scouring the coast and scoring perfect waves. 

Among the many things that we covered on the course focused on minimizing the time that is spent paddling out through the waves. We were lucky to score a few chunky days where we had 5-to-6 foot waves. It was great to see the crew using the channels and currents to get easily and quickly out through the powerful conditions. Many in the group were managing the illusive ‘dry hair paddle out’ when they learned the techniques correctly. Read on for an insight in to how you can get out back easier. 

1.    Watch the Waves and Water Movement

Resist the temptation to pull you swim fins on and jump straight in to the water.  Watch the waves for a minimum of 10 minutes. Do the following:

• count how many waves are in each set
• time how long each lull is

2 .   Be Aware of the wind

Line yourself up with a stationary marker, If it’s blowing cross shore it will move you quickly across the beach and this could stop you moving out towards the horizon through the path of least resistance.

3.    Look for Channels

Due to the tidal movement, each time water is pushed towards the shore, through wave power, it will try to escape back out to see through the line of least resistance. This is usually through the deepest water channel through the break line. It’s very often found next to a stationary object like a headland, pier or break wall. 

4.    Attack the Shorebreak

Paddle out during a lull. Really attack the water, no dordling! Keep moving towards the horizon as quickly as possible. Make yourself as small to incoming waves as possible. Don’t find yourself loitering around with no real intention to go forwards of backwards, that is when you are wasting your energy.

5.     Paddle with Good Form

Just because you are racing outback, there is no reason to lose your paddling form.  Remember when you’re paddling with your legs that you should keep your legs off the back of your board, your arms straight. Your legs should be quite straight and kept under the water as they take long, smooth, fast moving strokes. Paddle with one arm if you want to really accelerate but avoid paddling with both arms as you may lose control of your board in the white wash. 

Get out there and enjoy it! 

If you fancy joining our next Secret Morocco or North Africa Adventure trips drop us a line!