Boogie boarding do’s and don’ts

For a haole (non-Hawaiian/Caucasian) visiting Maui, my boogie boarding style is not bad—particularly for a 56 year-old Oregon guy. So, before I wipe out and crush my skull on a reef rock, I want to share some of the boogie boarding wisdom I’ve accumulated over several decades of warm-water vacationing.

First and most important: look good before you set out for the beach. Who knows, the surf may be down and you’ll spend the whole day sitting on your beach mat. You want to look like a boogie boarder even if you’re not boogieing.

Here I’m modeling, from top to bottom, a Pacific Whale Foundation cap (to demonstrate my eco-ocean sensibilities), rimless Maui Jim sunglasses (spendy but tropical trendy), a Xcel nylon/spandex shirt (protects against the sun and boogie board burn), and Tommy Bahama swimming trunks (picked out for me yesterday by Laurel, my personal shopper extraordinaire).

Most of these are, of course, entirely personal fashion statement preferences. However, I heartily recommend a similar shirt for serious boogie boarders. If you’re wave playing for several hours, as I was today, the effectiveness of the sunscreen you put on will be sorely diminished, and sore likely will be just how your red back and shoulders will feel the next day.

Plus, paddling around on a boogie board and bouncing along on waves while you’re lying flat on your stomach can cause boogie board rash. I get this right under my rib cage if I’m not wearing a shirt. So seriously consider wearing a top of some sort (a T-shirt will do fine, but is clammier than a nylon/spandex shirt).

Second: use fins (and a boogie board, of course). If you’re really adept at reading waves, knowing exactly where you have to be to catch one, you might be able to successfully boogie board without fins. But most people, which definitely includes me, find it much easier to maneuver around with fins.

I use snorkeling fins with ankle fasteners. If you don’t attach snorkeling fins to your ankles, almost certainly they’re going to come off in heavy surf. It isn’t fun to search for a fin while waves are breaking over you and you’re yelling, “Has anyone seen my fin?” It’s well worth it to spend a few bucks on ankle fasteners for the fin peace of mind. Or, you can get official boogie boarding fins that strap tightly to your foot, but this is impractical for most tourists.

So, once you’re well dressed and properly equipped, you’re ready to boogie. I’m assuming that you want to go out to where the waves are breaking well off the beach. You can play with your boogie board, though, right on or close to the beach—as are these folks I took photos of today.

However, real boogie boarding takes place a ways offshore where the waves first break. Sit on the beach and watch the boarders who are already out there if you haven’t boogied a location before. If you’re wondering why nobody is catching some wonderful looking waves, there usually is a good reason. Like rocks. Sharp rocks. Reef rocks. Nasty rocks.

Water is the best thing about boogie boarding. Rocks are the worst thing. I know where most of the rocks are in Napili Bay. I’m always thinking about how to avoid them. Wind and waves have a sneaky way of moving you from a safe boarding spot to right in front of a reef. If you catch a wave, you might well go right over the rocks. Or, you might not. When I’m in doubt about whether I’m going to catch a rock after catching a wave, I let the wave go.

Different strokes for different boarders though. Some boogie boarders are major risk takers. Some like to play it absolutely safe. Do what feels right to you. This photo shows the usual boogie boarding order of things: a line up of boarders ranging from closer in to farther out from shore (note them avoiding the rocks on the left). Generally, you’ll get more waves if you’re a bit closer in, because there are more smaller waves than larger waves, and larger waves break further out.

Larger waves usually are more fun. They’re also scarier, if you’re new to boogie boarding. In my opinion, the main thing to remember about waves is that water rarely hurts you. It’s rocks that hurt you. So if you’re thrashed around by a wave like clothes in the spin cycle of a washing machine, no big deal. You’ll pop up just fine, no worse for wear. It’s being thrashed around underwater when rocks are also underwater that hurts like hell. Again, stay away from rocks.

Try to catch a wave just as it’s breaking. Follow the line of white foam. Become the foam. Merge with the breaking wave.

If a large wave has already broken and you’re in front of it, you have two choices: go with it or go under it. Going under it is an essential boogie boarding skill. Just dip your head, press down on the front of the board, shut your eyes (if you wear soft contacts, like me), and kick with your fins. After the wave goes by you’ll pop up about where you were instead of halfway to the beach, which likely would have happened if you went with the wave.

That isn’t good if your goal is to get out to where the waves are breaking. Getting back out after catching a wave is what I like least about boogie boarding. They should have a rope tow or something, especially for geezers over fifty. Tip: don’t ride a wave all the way in if you don’t feel like paddling all the way back out. Tilt your board sideways and jump out of the breaking wave after you’ve had enough fun with it. That shortens the paddle back.

Often it’s best to paddle back in a half circle. In the surf a straight line usually isn’t the shortest distance, timewise, back out to where the waves are breaking. Head off to the left or right from where you ended up and the waves probably won’t be breaking right over you all the way back out.

People use various approaches to boogie board paddling. Easiest is the “hold on with both hands to the front of the board and kick with your fins” option. But this is tiring on the legs. Others use the “paddle with both hands, either both at once or alternately” option. That works fine if the ocean is calm. I’ve evolved a “paddle with one hand while hanging on with the other hand, plus kick” approach. I keep falling off the board when I paddle with both hands, so this is a workable hands/feet combination for the less dexterous.

Etiquette wise, try not to run into other people. Sometimes it can’t be helped, however. Today I rode a wave in most of the way on the back of another guy. Once I landed on top of him, I couldn’t get off. He didn’t seem to mind, thankfully. The very next wave I caught, two girls ended up on my back. Instant boogie board karma, I figured.

When you run over someone it’s good form to wave back at them with a breezy “sorry but I couldn’t help it hope you’re OK" gesture. If they don’t respond, you might check to be sure that you haven’t knocked them unconscious. Fortunately, boogie boards are a lot softer than surfboards.

Rather paradoxically, locals get preference in staking out the “sweet spot” where the best waves are breaking. Yes, they get to boogie board all the time and we tourists don’t. But the native Hawaiians have been roundly screwed by the Americans who took their land, so I don’t mind taking back seat to a local when it comes to catching a wave. Plus, you can learn a lot by shadowing the local boogie boarding guys and gals. They usually have a much better sense for the ocean that we haoles do, so I try to follow their lead.

Most of the time. On Kauai once I learned that if a couple of local guys start yelling at each other, “Here comes a big one,” it’s time for the haoles to swim for shore. If the locals seem just mildly enthused about a wave, then I figure I can handle it. But if they’re wildly excited about some monster that is approaching, I’ll probably be terrified.

Of course, that was quite a few years ago, and I’ve become a better boogie boarder now. About all I fear now is sunburn. Wear a shirt and put on lots of SPF 30 sunscreen. Then go out and boogie.

Comments

[Mike]

Thanks for the boarding tips!

[shelly]

I love boogie boarding and these are some great tips! Thanks for the info.

[Johnny]

Brian, enjoyed your top tips. You are a chilled guy! And seem pretty cool too. #

Question... I've got these new fins, but the problem is which way to wear them - they are not marked left / right / top / bottom - the guy in the shop told me to wear them a way that looks unnatural - I'll send you some pictures of them if you can post them for feed back or have any thoughts that would be most appreciated. I've just got back from the West coast of the uk - Cornwall, specifically St Ives, and I live in Brighton - South coast of UK, which is like a mill pond for surfers and boogiers alike, but sometimes the South coast gets a bit blowy and the odd nice wave has been known.

Check out my Web site... www.georgewsteers.com

Best wishes, John

[Bruce Allen]

I enjoyed your article quite a bit.
I rarely read similar stuff.
I live in So.Cal & I'm going to go get wet in a few minutes.

[johnny]

After testing the fins the way the guy in the surf shop said, and the way that looked right, I've found the guy in the surf shop was right. The hole in the fins goes on the bottom (when you walk on them) - the other way up, the fins float.

For some more top tips on fins, take a look at...

http://www.croyde-surf-cam.com/swimfins.htm

Best wishes - Johnny

[Eric valdez]

Thanks for the tips, I once tryed boogie boarding years ago, and got my clocked cleaned by a wave, it scared me but i'm 29 now and want to get out there again, any advice I would greatly appreciate, thanks

[Rich]

Funny post! Im a newbie boogie boarder and the tips were helpful! Thanks

[Bryan]

Curious as to checking my two boards (strapped together) or renting when I get to HI? With checked luggage charges these days over and back plus interisland hopping (3 hops) I'm wondering what would work best $-wise. Do you know what weekly rental fees might be? By the way, thx for the tips.

[Blogger Brian]

Bryan, Boss Frog says a rental is $5 a day or $15 a week. Not bad. Might be worth renting a boogie board, considering the cost of checking it on the airline. See:
http://www.maui-vacation.net/rental.html#surf

[kate]

hi! where do you go in HI? We were just on Kauai, and just played close to the shore at Poiupu (Brennekies). I want to go back and do some more boogie boarding! Also, do you go on the oregon coast? if so, where?
thanks!
kate

[Brian Hines]

kate, for many years (20 or more) I've done almost all of my boogie boarding at Napili Bay on Maui. We usually go in late March or early April, so the waves typically range from small to fairly large. Last year, though, there were some very large waves when the winds came from the south. Unfortunately, jelly fish were also blown in by this unusual wind shift, so I decided to pay it safe and not play in the big waves.

I've never boogied on the Oregon coast. The waves can look appealing, but a wet suit is essential, and rip tides are more common than in Hawaii. Then there's sharks to worry about. I've been looking into surf kayaking, which gets you out of the cold Oregon water, and also further from shark jaws.

[Hauna]

My first time to MAUI @30 yrs old, and all I can say is " EPIC SURF, EPIC TIMES, EPIC PEOPLE, EPIC SPIRIT, ~Epic me wit da boogie board! ( I am a SO-CAL AND NOR-CAL NATIVE, I LUV DA WATER, I LUV THE COMPASSION OF DA WAVE!
WORDS OF BEING A "hale" in da world of EPIC SPIRITS AND Honus who ride da EAC, I NOW UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS TO BE "FREE"!

[Mike Shepherd]

Brian,
Ever been to maui in October? I used to boogie board Maui many years ago and loved Flemming beach and slaughter house beach, just up from Napili bay. I have never boarded Napili is it better then those other ones. I am going there this week and would love to hear the other beaches that are good to board.
Thanks
Mike

[Blogger Brian]

Mike, it's been a long time since we've been to Maui in October. In fact, I don't recall ever going then. We usually head to Maui in late winter or early spring, when Oregon is suitably dismal.

I prefer Napili Bay to the other beaches you mention, mostly because it is more attractive, less windy, and perhaps safer. I've only been to the D.T. Fleming Beach Park a few times. I remember catching a large wave and looking down at bare reef rock, which was kind of disconcerting.

I've been to Napili so often, I know where every rock is. But they are pretty easy to spot, especially at low tide (obviously). On a good wave day, Napili is a lot of fun. Maybe you'll be there when waves are coming straight in and you can catch a breaking wave near the center of the beach, quite a ways offshore, and ride it in.

During the winter I've heard that Napili can be dangerous, but so is any Maui beach during a big storm. Have fun, wherever you end up boogy'ing.

[Dylan]

Bro, really? boogie boarding isn't as complicated or scary as it seems to be. The waves you post are really small. I hoped to find some comforting advice for my girlfriend (she has never gone before and she doesn't quite trust me when it comes to sports because I think everything is easy). Instead, you turned it into a complicated BS article. Seriously, my first time boogie boarding was when I was 6. I had more balls then you, dude. You really ran away from the big waves? True, the island waves are bigger then cali waves, but those are in the most advanced surf spots. and wtf is up with the fins? Fins are for ocean swimming and swim practice... If you need fins for catching a wave, just stop. It takes probably 10 minutes to learn how to catch a wave properly... You made things way over complicated. Maybe I would appreciate this sense of foreboding in a how to surf article. But not boogie boarding. And stop throwing in random bits of Hawaiian slang

[Blogger Brian]

Dylan, for about thirty years I've boogie boarded on small waves and big waves during almost-annual visits to Hawaii. Mostly to Maui, several times on Kaui -- where once the waves were quite large, and I hadn't had as much boogie boarding experience as I have now.

I've watched countless beginners try to catch waves without fins. Rarely do they succeed, at least on Napili Bay where I do almost all of my boogie boarding now. It depends on how predictable the waves are. Often, waves come in unpredictable sets, breaking at different distances from the shore.

Without fins, it's really tough to adjust your position quickly to get in the correct place to catch a wave. I've observed this many, many times. Every decent boogie boarder I've ever seen on Napili Bay, including the locals, wears fins -- either regular fins or fins made for boogie boarding. So I can't agree with your advice to never wear fins.

Also, when large waves are coming in regularly and quickly, breaking in the area that I need to paddle back through to catch another wave, fins are a huge help. Paddling a boogie board is a lot different from paddling a surfboard. Using fins makes it much easier to get past the breaking waves and back into the wave-catching spot.

You're welcome to your opinions, but experience is the best teacher. I know what works from many years of boogie boarding many types of waves on Napili Bay. Yes, different techniques will work on different beaches. Just don't denigrate fins.

Check out this site, which says:

"Bodyboarding without swimfins is almost impossible! Fins will help in all aspects of bodyboarding- paddling out, catching waves, steering and controlling the bodyboard as they are acting as skegs. After the board itself, swimfins are the most important accessories in bodyboarding."

Read more: http://www.saltwater-dreaming.com/bodyboard.htm#fins#ixzz1xE3SqC3E

Here's another source of info about bodyboarding fins:

"Snorkeling and bodyboarding are not very similar, but they do share one common piece of equipment. Though designed for slightly different purposes, bodyboarding fins and snorkeling fins are very similar. In fact, you can use bodyboarding fins for snorkeling, but you should consider their benefits and drawbacks.

Bodyboarding fins are designed specifically for the sport of bodyboarding, also called Boogie boarding. Bodyboarding fins are meant to help propel boarders quickly onto wave breaks. However, because bodyboarders spend lots of time in oncoming waves, their fins also need to allow maneuverability and support when walking in shallow water. As a result, bodyboarding fins are smaller than snorkeling or scuba diving fins. Smaller fins make for easier walking through waves and are better suited for short bursts of speed."

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/404482-can-i-use-boogie-board-fins-for-snorkeling/#ixzz1xE7YV6Uo

[Surfer22]

I learnt by standing in front of a wave and waiting as soon as it breaks you move to the top of the board and the wave does the rest :) I hope I helped
P.s. where do u buy boogie boards from??? In Australia qld Ipswich

[pooko khaneilala]

you didn't screw them us of our land,we would be Japanese if it weren't for America,and Japanese would have killed all the Hawaiians,don't let those Japanese and portugese,or samoans talk shite,cause they aren't Hawaiian,you can tell a Hawaiian by his face usually they have a distinct look and ankles like tree trunks,but these are the punks that are usually the ones causing problems not native Hawaiians by nature we are a tolerant people,the Japanese and portugese however are aggressive by nature.they act like they own the waves and actually go there to pick fights .hawaii loves its tourists and depend on them,so don't walk on eggshells next time you visit,we are all American.mahalo.

[Ric Danger]

I think Dylan stands in knee high surf and slings his girlfriend on a shore break with the leash. I surfed until I had knee reconstructs.. I have boogie boarded for the better part of 25 years ...I own a Kevlar coated hypersonic blade...very rare and the only board I've ever owned until this week...I picked up a waveskater 3 48 inch board that will float a 400 lb man! This is an amazing board ...I grew up on the panhandle of Florida and visit st augustine yearly. Fins are a must have If you are in water over Chest high at a break,,period. You either launch from standing in shallow or put those fins on...otherwise you will struggle catching waves.

[Harry Silver]

good Fins are a must have. "Dylan" must be bodyboarding in a stagnent land-locked duck pond. I'm 52 years old and still killing it at Waimea shorebreak...Kaisers..Bowls..V-Land..Pipe..Honolua...huge Lani's...etc.
Bodyboard fins (or a lack there-of) can make or break you in critical situations. GO BIG !! aloha

[Jack]

1-10 how bad do rocks hurt?

[Michael B.]

Thes are really old posts; but always REM. to drag your toes; the short fins are bettr; for more lateral wave control, ,and since your lower to the water surface; you have LESS chance of getting " boardwhacked" than if you standing up...
And by all means the 20 foot wave rule applies; if your within 20 to 50 ft of pier; you ARE too close.