I'm in California and my current 5mm suit is getting old and letting in water. Its also stretched out which causes more drag, especially when a stream of water catches it causing it to balloon out.

Has anyone used triathlon wetsuits? How do they compare to wetsuits designed for surfing? I'm leaning against one b/c I imagine they aren't as durable.

Also will a triathlon wetsuit offer as much buoyancy? Am I the only one that prefers the buoyancy to not get as tired but also for control while on the wave?

Lastly is reducing drag always the goal when picking a wetsuit? Sometimes I feel I can use the wetsuit drag to have more control compared to when I'm skin surfing

I'm in Peniche today and tomorrow to do some bodysurfing, was planning on hitting Supertubos but the wind might not cooperate. Anyone have tips for somewhere with good barrels for the swell tomorrow? Also happy to meet up if anyone is looking for a surf partner.

I’m planning my trip to o’ahu this December. What’s your experience, tips, for bodysurfing spots? I like cycling, too, can I bike to various spots that are nearby?

I’m a socal native and bodysurf regularly for years in north Orange County various waves and sizes. Nothing too crazy though.

Thank you 🤙🏼

Does anyone have Yucca long blades fins? If so, how do you like them? And what flex do you have?

I run Yucca short blades standard flex so interested to know how they compare.

Thanks

After doing a bit of reading I have decided to invest in a full body triathlon wetsuit primarily for sun protection. My biggest problem is that I am 193cm and weigh about 77kg at absolutely heaviest, at least one of my proportions falls significantly outside of the range of tall wetsuits and would love sizing help.

Also very keen for fin/handplane/other sun protection tips if you have any that you swear by thank you :)

Thinking of getting a handplane, but I don’t want it so clunky that it messes with my swimming. I’m thinking of the hush wiki since it’s small, but wondering if it provides enough lift. Anyone with experience with it or other suggestions?

Sup lads. I have always casually body surfed growing up as a kid, but I've gotten into it more seriously this year. Just last week I used some fins for the first time - total game changer.

What I wanted to ask you guys is how do I get the most out of the fins? I initially got fins so that I could get back out after a ride quicker and give myself a speed boost to catch waves easier - but I've yet to feel out what to do with the fins while I'm riding. Without fins I'd normally keep kicking - but with fins sometimes I feel like this interferes with how the wave interacts with my body's shape (maybe I should stick to smaller kicks while riding a wave?) - and I almost feel like I should keep them still to "catch" most of the waves energy now that I have all this extra free surface area - thoughts?

Thanks for reading.

Hi

Surfer here who dabbles in bodysurfing

I'm wondering if it is possible/realistic to ride the face / unbroken portion of the wave, without a handboard... And if so, would you guys have any tips for me? ("Just get a handboard" is also valid lol)

I've managed to turn before but usually end up getting pushed along by the whitewater.

[Edit] Thanks guys! Sounds like maybe some fins would be a better investment

Does anyone know what's happened to Taylor's Mistake Handski website? It seems that the company no longer has a active website in operation. Anyone know a outlet that sells the handskis or what has happened to the company?

My daughter was 8 or 9 when she drew this, copy of a Mike Stewart drawing, that I believe Iain Campbell redrew as well.

It shows the circular motion of the wave energy after a wave has broken. It's how you might feel like yr hitting a bus, when you are 40 ft back from a large wave breaking but feel not much 6' away because you are in a low pressure zone.

Just curious if anyone has had any cool stories of bodysurfing big waves, close encounters with marine life, or the like. Thanks

In August I spent a week body surfing in Duck, North Carolina, so I thought I'd share some notes and recommendations. First, Duck is a terrific place for casual body surfing - the best I've experienced in the Outer Banks. (I'm comparing to earlier OBX vacations in Corolla in the north, and Avon and Buxton in the south.) The rides aren't incredibly long but the waves are reliably surfable. It was just wave after wave after wave, ideal for catching while you're still able to touch the sea bottom. They break far enough out that I never ended up hitting the sand face-first. Bonus: there are lifeguards all along the beach, and older condo developments that aren't fancy but cost way less than a cottage/new condo rental and are extremely close to the beach (like a 3-minute walk).

After reading all the posts on handplanes on this sub, I used a handplane for the first time and WOW. (It was a used HYDRO Pro Fin Hand Board I picked up for $22 on Poshmark of all places.) It was fantastic - I was able to catch bigger, faster waves, ride with my head up if I wanted and stay in the wave longer. I can't recommend it enough - there were no drawbacks. (I also tried my old bodysurfing fins, but they didn't suit this kind of shallow water.)

On a gear note, I bought SurfEars 3.0 swimming ear plugs, because I tend to get water in my ears and end up with ear infections. They lived up to the hype! I could hear everything and they were so comfortable that I sometimes forgot to take them out when I got out of the water. Twice I forgot to put them on before I went in the water, and both times I got water in my ear that took a day to go away, so I know they really saved me on this trip.

I will be going back to Duck next summer for sure to get in more body surfing. Thanks to everyone who posted about handplanes and ear plugs and all things body surfing!

Maybe it's just the because there's so much more video available online, but I feel like. lately, I'm regularly seeing stuff that's, like, "Huh. I had no idea that was possible."

It reminds me of surfing in the early-mid oughts.

so basically the title says it all, it’s my bf’s first big (bodysurf) tournament since we started dating and wanna be at the beach supporting him all day and prepare healthy and light snacks/ meals for him to eat throughout the day. I have no clue what to make. I have googled athlete meals but all that comes up is either super hard or expensive to make. Anyone have some easier receipt suggestions for me? He’s going to be in multiple heats that day so the food can’t be heavy as he’s tackling big waves and basically going on doing dolphin business. I’m aiming for breakfast, snack, lunch and two more snacks avaiable in case he needs it. Everything needs to be super high in calories and macros but filling but as light on the stomach as possible. Wanna include some fruits and veggies but not too much as they tend to be hard to digest. I have protein powder, creatin and bcaas avaiable to work with. I AM COUNTING ON YOU TO HELP A GIRL OUT REDDIT COMMUNITY <3 Thanks :)

(Location is Mexico btw in terms of what’s a avaiable here)

Hi all. Amateur bodysurfer here. I love to do it at Wildwood NJ. Good place for it as you usually have moderate size waves that you can ride out for a while.

My problem is that a few times, I rode them out to the shore/beach and had the water scrape my face across the sand, leaving gashes at the top of my nose.

What do I do to avoid this? Should I make sure I'm far enough out when I get the wave? Should I only ride the wave for a certain amount of time? Should I lift my head when I'm on the wave? Anything else?

Thanks in advance for any helpful advice.

I've had a pair of Custom X fins that I got at my local surf shop back home in NW FL back since 2006 when I started as a Lifeguard and they still serve me well to this day now that I'm out in the Bay area.

I pretty much only see Yuccas and DaFins mentioned here, so I was curious if anyone else uses Custom X?

Also, how oftwn are y'all cycling thru fins? I've never seen a reason to swap mine out.

Is it easier naked?

I am on the east coast and the waves in my area typically don't kick until September and October with hurricane season. I am also vastly out of shape (mid 30s-F with a left knee injury) and I am trying to get what I can with my ability (small, mushy waves at the moment) and while the weather is warm and waves are manageable until i need to find a pool somewhere come winter. I used to bodysurf and bodyboard regularly several years back, but it is it is a bit embarassing how I let myself go. At the same time, I just want to find something I enjoy in terms of fitness. Is relearning bodysurfing in small waves realistic, and if so, what are some techniques I can try out?

How many of you love to keep your eyes open underwater?