Body boarding is quite possibly the best intro to getting afloat with the kids. It’s simple and affordable, easily accessible and even the smallest kids get the idea quickly…
Little kids especially love bodyboarding because they can be doing it straight away – it’s a simple concept and one they can quickly pick up. Of course, it also looks pretty similar to a surf board and before you know it they will be claiming pro status!
The leash makes a perfect tow rope for swooshing them around in the shallows. Although if they – or you – are venturing into the waves solo you need to ensure the leash is attached around your wrist – it is actually there for safety reasons to stop you getting separated from your board.
If you’re wondering how to introduce kids to board sports, body boarding a great place to start, not least because it really helps develop balance and co-ordination, and is a great intro to the idea of bobbing about on the waves and getting used to the motion – no matter how small the waves. It’s a really fun way to build their confidence in the water so a great first step.
And don’t dismiss body boarding as the kids get older. There is plenty of scope for slightly older kids to learn new bodyboarding skills, so there’s an element of next level challenge there too. They can experiment with things like getting the right body boarding position and learn to paddle themselves and how shifting their weight affects the direction of the board.
Add a pair of fins (flippers) and they will soon be catching the waves and riding them all the way into the shore – their first step into surf sports. At the same time they will be developing an awareness of the timing and pattern of waves, not to mention that all-important sense of independence. Eventually you could find they build up to doing tricks and spins on the face of the wave!
In terms of equipment, all that is needed is the bodyboard itself. They are small enough to fit in most car boots or strap onto a bike rack, and light enough to sherpa about on the beach.
When choosing a bodyboard, do take your height, weight and ability into account, but if you are just starting out, a soft foam board that is thick and wide will make paddling about nice and easy.
To chose the right size body board, look for one that is roughly the height from the floor to your belly button, or the distance from your chin to your knees. You can buy adult and junior size boards, but for young kids just playing around we find our adult one serves the purpose
Body boards are widely available and can cost as little as £25 – although we recommend spending a little more for something that’s a bit more robust and will last a good couple of seasons.
In terms of where to go body boarding, once again, as it’s super accessible you can go just about anywhere. Just watch out for stony beaches particularly if your board is made of very soft foam, as it’s likely to pick up a few dents.
We’ve had lots of fun body boarding at beaches on Hayling Island, Swanage and Ringstead as well as Newquay and The Gower – among other places.
More or less any time we’re near the water, we will pack a body board just for fun! You never know when it might come in handy – when conditions aren’t right for sailing, or one kid want something to play on in the shallows while waiting for a turn on a paddleboard or kayak.
And because it’s so easy and fun to do and small enough for them to carry about themselves, it’s a brilliant piece of equipment for developing kids’ sense of independence on a board – under close supervision, of course!
