It is a board water sport which is enjoyed by many. It is just like surfing but with a smaller board. In this, you glide across the water’s surface to meet the breaking wave and glide back to the shore. The board used in this is just like a surfboard but without fins. Skimboarders can perform a variety of stunts in the water. Also, this is a unique water sport than others because it involves a “flatland” so takes up the tricks from skateboarding too.
To learn skimboard you need a lot of practice and patience. The benefit of this sport in learning is that it is fun to learn on a flatland where it is a little wet by the wash of the previous wave. It is great for children to enjoy this sport on wet sand as it involves sliding from here to there. Once you are an expert in sliding and learn to keep your balance on board then you go in try it out on waves.
We recommend you also read: HOW TO RIDE A WAVE SKIMBOARDING How to Practice Skimboarding at Home
Well, how to start about it is discussed in steps down below:
Step 1: you need to find a good location, one where you can practice and learn without disturbing others as well as. Also, you need to find a beach that is good for learning either the one with a little slope for sand skimming or the one with very powerful shore back and steep slope for wave skimming. Location is a must if you are starting to learn skimboarding because as much as you practice you will be perfect.
Step 2: the selection of the board is also mandatory. There are two different types of skimming sand or wave skimming. Both of the skimmings requires you to choose different boards. Boards that are smaller, flatter and wooden are cheap are best for sand skimming, which is done sideways along the shore where it is flat. Whereas you can go for high-tech foam/carbon fiber-based boards that are great for wave skimming. Once you are through with boards remember the surf wax. There are many types of wax, like tropical for warm waters and cold for cold locations. Choose according to your location.
Step 3: exercise and keep your body fit and in shape to start learning to skim. Your muscle should easily adjust to the amount of stretching you would have to do. So run and stretch and be fit. Also apply on some sand on your face and legs and arms when you start skimming and learn to keep your leg and back muscles straight, warm and strong.
Step 4: get ready to have a go now. Hold the board right in your arms. Most preferable of holding the board is one hand on the back of the tail and one hand on the side rail halfway up the board. Hold the board out in front of you. If you are going flat along the sand then wait for the last wave to strike to shore and then go back. When there is a thin coating of water, between a couple of millimeters and not more than half an inch, that’s when you have to start running. When you have gained a little pace, drop the board in front of you on this thin coating layer of water. The best way to drop the board is to get low a little and slide it so that it gives a little pace before you get on it. It feels as if you are dropping the board on the sand and since it is a little wet with water the board slides easily. To get on board is to run onto it by placing your front foot a few inches past the middle first and then placing your back foot behind it. Running on to it will help you not losing pace and puts your weight gradually. Hence gives you a smooth ride.
CAUTION: don’t jump on the board that will either crack the board or will make the board stop from sliding as it gets stucks with the sand. Because the tension of the water breaks so the board will not be able to skim if you jump or hop on it. Also, you will fall because of this. And if you jump you put your whole weight together on the board which makes it impossible to balance. One foot at a time will not make you fall, even if you think it so. A little practice with it and you will be fine plus your board too.
Step 5: sand skimming is fun and interesting but wave skimming brings the greatest joy. Once you have to learn everything you can do tricks too. Two things to keep in mind while doing wave skimming is that you need a wave that you can reach and second that a wave you can turn off of to. Watch a lot of videos and practice a lot on the beach to learn the two skimmings. And once you master it you will have the most fun with this sport. Every beach, wave, sand, board, and person is different so experience and practice will only help you the best. To learn to ride is the most difficult but not impossible.
Lastly, skimboarding is a huge fun water sport for anyone who learns it with patience and practice and experience. Some even find it better than surfing but that is a personal choice. Watch a lot of videos and read about what board to buy and not to. Go out to the beach on regular bases or most frequently as you can that does not mean that you have to live on the beach but practice makes a man perfect, so fall and glide and then finally learn to ride a skimboard. Find what is best for you, in terms of board and then you go buying it. Keep the location in check with surf wax and your body in check and fit. We hope to have helped you to enjoy skimboarding.