Bodyboard

Paddling Out:

Planning your paddle out is vital. You should first look to see which direction, and the location at which the waves are breaking. The point at which the waves are breaking is whereyou DON'T want to be while paddling out.

At first, walking in your fins will be very hard. I have taken many falls due to cumbersome flippers. It is important to lift your feet high and bend yourknees. When initially walking in the water with flippers, it might help to walk backwards until you get used to them. I know this looks funny but it really helps.

When you're about waist deep inwater, go ahead and lay down on your board. The tail of the board should be at about your waist. Now with both hands on the nose of the board, begin to kick your feet in an alternating flow. Alwaysremember to keep your fins below the water. Fast choppy kicks get no results and only tire you out. Easy does it.

You also have the option of paddling with your arms. This is a bit more difficult todo and requires that you apply wax first. If your sponge (board) isn't waxed, it will just keep sliding out from under you. Center your weight on the board so that the nose is only a inch to twoinches above the water. Now paddle with you arms as if you were swimming. Cup your hands and push the water under your board and aways from you, like a "s". Once you are out past the breakers (where thewaves are breaking) you can relax and catch your breath for a while. If you are having trouble getting out because you are getting hammered by waves, you can use a very useful technique called the'duckdive'

Which brings us to our next lesson...

The Duck Dive:

The duck dive is a very simple manuever that will help you get out past the breaking waves. When you're paddling out and a waveis about to break right on you, use a duck dive. Put one knee on the tail of the board. Place your hands on the sides of the board near the nose.

As the breaking wave approches, plunge the nose...