Mastering the Waves: A Guide to Bodysurfing Tricks & Manoeuvres

Bodysurfing is an exhilarating water sport that requires skill, agility, and a deep understanding of the ocean's rhythm. In this blog post, we will delve into the various manoeuvres that bodysurfers use to ride the waves, classified into two categories: simple and complex.

Simple Manoeuvres

These are the basic moves that every bodysurfer should master. They form the foundation for more complex manoeuvres.

1. Conventional Bodysurfing or Wave Gliding: This is the fundamental form of bodysurfing. The surfer rides the wave with the inside arm extended forward and the outside arm either tucked away or raised as a balance guide.

2. Backsliding or Back Riding: This manoeuvre involves riding the wave entirely on the surfer's back, a fun twist on the conventional style.

3. Spinner: This is a 360° pirouette performed with the grain of the wave. The arms should be controlled to maintain the fluidity of the glide.

4. Reverse Spin: This is the opposite of the Spinner, where the bodysurfer pirouettes against the grain of the wave.

5. Tube Riding: This manoeuvre involves using skills to maintain position within the wave’s tubing section, one of the most thrilling experiences in bodysurfing.

Complex Manoeuvres

These manoeuvres require more skill and experience. They add flair and style to a bodysurfer's repertoire.

1. Change of Direction: This involves changing from one section going right to another section going left, or vice versa, often while linking an 'outside' section across a channel to the 'inside' shore break section.

2. Somersault or Forward Roll: This manoeuvre involves a somersault or forward roll where the bodysurfer maintains position and lands flat to continue the ride.

3. Dolphin: This manoeuvre involves using skills to either remain underwater during the take-off and/or any time during the ride of the wave.

4. El Rollo: This is a spin at the crest of the curling lip section where the bodysurfer maintains position and lands flat to continue the ride.

5. The Loop or 270º: This manoeuvre involves a 90º rotation towards the lip of the wave, followed by a further 180º rotation in the same direction, ending up riding towards the beach.

6. Belly or Reverse Belly Spin or 360°: This manoeuvre involves controlling the prone raised position enough to mimic a bodyboard manoeuvre to raise the upper and lower body and fins to spin ‘flat’ on the wave face and continue riding.

Further Description of Manoeuvres

To help you better understand these manoeuvres, here are some additional details:

• Spin: This manoeuvre consists of a rotation of the bodysurfer along a horizontal axis, the rotation is carrying down the wave. Best-rated if it is broken.

• Back / Half Twist: This manoeuvre is a half twist followed by a back riding.

• Reverse Spin: This manoeuvre consists of a rotation of bodysurfer along a horizontal axis in the opposite direction of the spin, the rotation being driven up the wave.

• El Rollo: This manoeuvre consists of an inverted spin, high amplitude performed in a tube along the lip of the wave, the bodysurfer realising a spin in space describing spiral.

• Re-entry / Loop Twisted: This manoeuvre consists of a rotation of 90 ° bodysurfer on a flat vertical axis toward the lip of the wave, the body of bodysurfer back toward the lip of the wave, followed by a half spin up the wave at the lip, allowing a resumption of the wave.

• Belly Reverse Spin or 360°: This manoeuvre consists of a rotation of 360 ° bodysurfer on a flat horizontal vertical axis of the body bodysurfer back toward the lip of the wave, using the energy of the lip to complete the rotation, followed by a recovery of the wave.

• Re-entry / Loop or 270°: This manoeuvre consists of a rotation of 90 ° bodysurfer on a flat vertical axis toward the lip of the wave, followed by a rotation of 180 ° bodysurfer a vertical axis for a resumption of the wave in the foam.

• Changing Direction: This manoeuvre is a change in direction of bodysurfer on a vertical plane through the wave. This figure includes manoeuvres such as the bottom turn, cut back.

• Tube: This manoeuvre is to bodysurfer in the tube, normally or back riding. This is the highest-rated manoeuvre if the output is clean.

• Dolphin: This manoeuvre is to bodysurfer on the face of the wave, below the surface of water, bodysurfer using the energy of the wave.

• Somersault or Forward Roll or Front Flip: This manoeuvre consists of a rotation of 360 ° bodysurfer on a flat horizontal axis.

Bodysurfing is a sport that is as much about skill as it is about feeling the rhythm of the ocean. By mastering these manoeuvres, you can take your bodysurfing to the next level and truly become one with the waves. Happy surfing!