How to ride a bellyboard
Here's a quick how-to guide. Whether you are brand new or looking to improve, you're on the right page.
Beginners
Be Safe! Use caution when in the water, always. Surf with a friend, or under adult supervision where a lifeguard is present.
Bellyboards are NOT floatation devices and should not be used in high risk (double red flag) surf conditions.
What is bellyboarding?
Riding wood vs foam.
All Pelly Boards are made from marine grade plywood and are around 3/8" thick. Bellyboards act similar to a hand plane but for your whole body.
Foam boogie boards sit on top of the water. Riding plywood helps you connect with the wave more and is a better feeling!
It's time to catch more waves.
Step 1
Stand in knee to waist deep water
You want to stand in water that allows you to have just enough control to push off with your feet, but deep enough to not impact the sand.
Wedge the tail of the board into your hips, while holding the board either on the nose, or as far up on the board as you can. Bend over if you need to and get a good grip.
Step 2
Pick your wave
You want to pick a wave that is big and can generate enough energy to send you on your way to the beach.
If the wave is big enough, you can jump in right after it has broken. This is called the white wash. There is a skill to picking your wave and this will be learnt over time.
Step 3
Timing is everything
Right before the wave breaks on your back, jump out and hold tight to the nose of your board. The wave will propel you forward and you will be bellyboarding!
You go too early and you'll lose the energy. Go too late and the wave will go right by you.
Step 4
Ride to the beach!
Take the wave all the way to the beach. Pick the board up and go back out for another!
Want to ride something bigger?
Catching white wash is fun and all, but you want to ride the wave before it breaks - and get those longer rides.
What You Need
Bellyboard Starter Kit
Your Pelly Board, swim fins and wax is all you need to get started.
We currently do not sell swim fins or wax, but we have recommendations listed below:
- Yucca Fins
- DaFin
- Wax: Go to your local surf shop!
Step 1
Find a green wave
With your swim fins, head out into deeper water where the waves are breaking. Even if the water is still waist deep, riding with fins is crucial if you want to catch green waves!
*Green waves are waves that have not broken yet.
Step 2
Pick your wave
For the longest ride, find the shoulder of a wave so you do not ride into a closeout.
Just like riding white wash: wedge the board in your hips, let your belly rest on the lower half, place your hands on the nose of the board, and kick your feet!
Step 3
Catch the wave
Keep kicking until you feel the force of the wave propel you forward. Make adjustments as necessary, if you need to use an arm or push down on the nose to generate more speed.
Step 4
Slide, Slide, Slide
Using your upper body, turn the board to stay in the pocket of the wave, higher on the wave face. Ride the wave as long as you can and enjoy!
