Jeff Hubbard shares his game changing, small wave bodyboarding tips.
Bodyboarding in small waves can be challenging. There is less power, which means less speed and generally more effort. We asked three time world champion, Jeff Hubbard, the best in the game, to share his secrets. Shot on location on our Portugal Bodyboard Holiday this video gives you some top tips!
Wave Selection
Give yourself the best opportunity to gain speed by choosing the best wave available that day. Keep your eye open for any wedging waves (incoming waves which connect with cross waves) as these generally supply twice the speed and power of normal waves. Be patient to wait for the set waves, which will often be infrequent on small surf days.Â
Positioning
Take off on the apex of the peak. Position yourself on the steepest part of the wave to enable yourself to maximise the speed that you gain from take off. The line that you choose across the wave will determine the speed that you generate and maintain. Generally, a high line across a small wave is the best to choose.Â
Flexibility
A regular stretching routine and a good warm up before paddling out will increase your flexibility. It is the ability to smoothly move through the movements on your bodyboard which will enable you to gain and maintain speed and it is flexibility which will allow you to do so. So get stretching regularly!Â
Equipment
A regular stretching routine and a good warm up before paddling out will increase your flexibility. It is the ability to smoothly move through the movements on your bodyboard which will enable you to gain and maintain speed and it is flexibility which will allow you to do so. So get stretching regularly!Â
Practice
The more that you bodyboard in small waves, the better you will become. The nice bi-product is that you will then become better at bodyboarding in bigger waves. Some of the best bodyboarders and surfers in the world come from small wave locations. They have finessed their technique so well that when they are in bigger, more powerful waves, everything becomes easy. The footage that you see in this video, is Jeff shredding on some of the smaller days from our recent Bodyboard-Holiday to Portugal. As you can see, the conditions are pure fun!
What is the quickest way to improve your riding?
The quickest way to progress in bodyboarding is by getting the basics right. By taking a bodyboard lesson with a company such as Bodyboard Holidays, you will gain expert knowledge to help your wave riding progress in a safe environment. Bodyboard Holidays also offers coaching weekends in the UK. During these two-day bodyboarding adventures, you will not only benefit from video analysis sessions but also learn other valuable tips such as how to read the waves and plan your surf based on surf forecasting.
Want to progress fast? The best way to do this is to join one of our international week-long bodyboard escapes. It is here that you will get to make the most of the video analysis sessions, finesse your style and technique, and truly step up a level. With an itinerary packed with lessons, video analysis sessions, bodyboard workshops, and surrounded by a group of like-minded individuals looking to progress their riding too, there’s no better way to take your bodyboarding to the next level and get the absolute most from your small wave performance.Â
Join our Portugal Bodyboard Holiday and finesse your skills with our awesome team of instructors!
