How To Bodyboard – The Basics

December 15, 2023

Join us as we dive into the world of bodyboarding with our comprehensive guide to “Bodyboarding Basics”! Whether you’re a total beginner or advanced rider seeking to enhance your existing skills, this video is the ultimate resource for essential bodyboarding tips.

In this video, Bodyboard Holidays founder Rob Barber shares his vast knowledge and explores the key aspects of bodyboarding, starting with tips on selecting and preparing your board for an epic surf session. From choosing the right wetsuit for optimal comfort to mastering the art of catching your first unbroken waves, we’ve got you covered.

Bodyboarding Basics

Discover the ins and outs of purchasing the perfect bodyboard and learn essential techniques to ensure a smooth and enjoyable ride. Our expert guidance will lead you through the process, making it easy for you to kickstart your journey or elevate your existing skills.

Purchasing a Bodyboard and Prep Tips

Many guests approach us seeking basic advice on the best-suited bodyboard and where to buy one. Our inbox is always open for such inquiries, and we love discussing boards, especially new ones. An essential piece of advice we emphasise is investing as much as you can. This ensures not only a higher-quality board but also longevity and maximum enjoyment when using it in the water. This bodyboarding basics video also details how to prepare your new bodyboard, ready to hit the waves and make epic memories.

Bodyboarding Basics

Choosing the Right Wetsuit

A common question from attendees at our retreats, holidays, and coaching weekends is how to select the correct wetsuit. With varying thicknesses and features like back zip, chest zip, zipperless, hooded, and more, it can be confusing for beginners. This video talks through the differences and guides you in choosing the perfect wetsuit for your needs.

Catching Your First Waves

Equipped with a new board and wetsuit, you’ll be eager to catch your first waves. This video lays the foundations to help you effectively catch whitewater waves consistently. The basic bodyboarding tips ensure you spend more time enjoying the waves and less time figuring it out on your own.

How To Use Swim Fins

Using swim fins elevates your bodyboarding experience, especially as a beginner.  If your current pair is too tight, causing discomfort or cramps, replace them, because with the right pair of fins your bodyboarding skills and fun will sky rocket! Purchase them from a reputable bodyboard shop, ensuring they are comfortable. Our tutorial video explains how to use bodyboard swim fins, simplifying paddling out and enhancing wave-catching, resulting in more waves!

Catching Your First Green Waves and Trimming

Having caught your initial waves in the whitewater and mastered swim fin usage, it’s time to progress to green, unbroken waves. In this video, Rob Barber shares decades of bodyboard coaching experience, unveiling secrets to take you from zero to hero. Listen to these invaluable snippets of advice and you’ll be riding those unbroken waves in no time!

Bodyboarding BasicsHow To Progress

If you’ve read this far, you’re likely to be already hooked on bodyboarding and eager to advance your skills. That’s where we come in! We have guests of all abilities worldwide join our bodyboard retreats, holidays, and coaching weekends. Whether mastering basics or competing on the international stage, trusting a reputable bodyboard coaching company like Bodyboard Holidays guarantees swift progress in your bodyboard riding skills and in turn more fun during your time spent in the water!

Thank you for stopping by and watching our “How To Bodyboard: The Basics: video. We hope that you have taken some valuable information away with you to help you progress on your bodyboarding journey. Be sure to check out the other videos on our Bodyboard Holiday YouTube channel and please don’t forget to like and subscribe, and let us know what you think of our videos and what you would like to see on our channel in the comments.  

If you like the look of any of the destinations featured in the video take a look at our selection of bodyboard destinations.

Rob Barber

Author

Rob Barber

Director
I’ve competed at bodyboarding since I was 13. I won my first open division age 14. Then became obsessed with bodyboarding and competed all over the country then the world.  My best year I won 11 events in the UK and internationally. My best result ever was ranking the highest European in the World professional championships at Pipeline. I won over 30 events when I was competing full time.  I have written and edited 4 books on surfing and bodyboarding. Two of which have gone on to be best sellers in their area of specialty.

Author Social

Destinations

9 NIGHTS

 / 

£1650

Southern Sumatra

7 NIGHTS

 / 

£1499

Women’s Bodyboard Retreat

7 NIGHTS

 / 

£1549

Portugal

8 NIGHTS

 / 

£1999

Nusa Lembongan

15 NIGHTS

 / 

£4249

Costa Rica and El Salvador

7 NIGHTS

 / 

£3599

Tavarua

7 NIGHTS

 / 

£2299

Costa Rica

7 NIGHTS

 / 

£1679

Bali

7 NIGHTS

 / 

£1999

Secret Morocco with Jeff Hubbard

7 NIGHTS

 / 

£1749

El Salvador

7 NIGHTS

 / 

£1900

Women’s Bodyboard Retreat Secret Morocco

Related Articles

Blog
August 21, 2025

How to Choose the Right Bodyboard: Complete Guide

Blog
August 14, 2025

El Salvador and Costa Rica Bodyboarding – Where it all began

Blog
June 20, 2025

Bodyboard Injuries: How Dangerous Is Bodyboarding?

Blog
May 30, 2025

Surfing Wave Pools: Are They Good or Bad for Bodyboarding?

Sign up to the

Bodyboard Holidays

Newsletter

Join the community and be the first to receive new trip launches, competitions and special deals! Fortnightly newsletter with bodyboarding tips, guides, discount codes and news!

Newsletter Pop Up