Skimboarding is a unique water-based sport that has become increasingly popular recently.
It was first developed for training purposes but has since grown into an alternative to surfing, snowboarding, and wakeboarding. But what is skimboarding?
Skimboarding is a water-skiing sport. It typically consists of one person standing on the deck of a skimboard and balancing it while it glides across the water’s surface. It offers a thrilling, adrenaline-fueled experience with an element of chance.
Skimboarding can be a dangerous sport if not practiced properly. If you are starting, practice safety when riding the board.
This sport has become a way of life for thrill seekers, beachgoers, water enthusiasts, and adventure seekers.
What Is Skimboarding?
Skimboarding resembles surfing. Instead of wind and tide waves, you’re riding crests on flat water. Summertime skimboarding is popular. It’s easy to learn and only requires a beach trip.
Flat lakes, oceans, or rivers are ideal for skimboarding. These bodies of water must have enough current to create a wave’s “lip” in shallow water.
Skimboarders can ride straight, turn, or do backflips and handstands.
How To Do Skimboarding?
Skimboarding is an easy sport to learn. If you have a natural balance, you will succeed in learning this sport very quickly.
The following are the basic steps that you need to take to become a good skimboarder:
Step 1
Skimboarding requires a left-foot initial grip. This is the only foot that should be used when kicking off from this point forward.
Step 2
After successfully applying an initial grip on the board with your left foot’s instep, you are ready to learn how to kick off. The first kick will be a left-leg outward leg drive.
If you don’t put all your weight and energy into the first kick, you’ll lose balance and fall in. Once you’ve immersed yourself, you can take a right-foot-forward kick-off.
Step 3
After catching the first kick-off with your left leg, you will be able to kick off again, but this time with your right leg. You’ll be ready to do a forward kick-off in the air and a move in the air while you’re in the air.
Step 4
The next step is to make a 180-degree turn with the board as you are in mid-air. You can extend your right leg into the water and then turn the board over.
Step 5
After executing the aerial trick with your left foot, you should be back at the water’s surface. Once done, you are ready to do a right-foot kick-off.
Step 6
This step is for people who are beginners in the sport. The person doing the aerial trick should be able to hold onto the board with their feet.
One can pull it up into their stomach, but not higher, or they’ll lose balance. After this, you can remove the board from your stomach and do other tricks.
Step 7
After the aerial trick, grab the board with your left instep once more. This will enable you to perform a second kick-off with your left leg. Step 7 should be followed by a second 180-degree turn before continuing.
Step 8
Continue with these steps until you are confident enough to perform the aerial trick without holding onto the board. The ultimate goal of your practice is to be able to pull off multiple aerial tricks.
Once you feel good enough at this, you can move on to the next step, which is performing other kinds of aerial tricks.
These include front and back flips, as well as any other kinds of aerial or water-based movements.
Step 9
Now, you must be taught how to perform front-flip and back-flip tricks in the water. This is where you have to pay close attention to your balance and ensure you are not going too fast.
Simply grab the board with the instep of your right foot and extend it upside down to perform these tricks.
Once you have reached the peak of your jump, you can flip the board over and perform a trick.
Step 10
From this point on, you can perform all kinds of trick maneuvers with your board while moving in any direction you wish.
The only limitation is the amount of strength you can apply to the board. The key to becoming a great skimboarder is all about practicing.
Tips To Follow For Successful Skimboarding
Some tips are given below for successful skimboarding:
Evenly Distributed Weight
To stay balanced while doing tricks, you must keep the weight you carry forward or backward equal. The best way to do this is by placing all your weight on both feet.
If one foot becomes unbalanced, your trajectory will be affected, affecting how fast you are moving. To stay balanced, you need to use both your feet equally.
45-degree Angle
It is also imperative for the board to be positioned at a 45-degree angle throughout the entire trick.
This will enable you to maintain your balance and maneuver the board in a way that will make it easy for you to perform tricks.
Bent Knees And Engaged Thighs
The knees are the primary muscles that bring the board closer to your body. The movement of the skimboard is a knee drive controlled by your ankles, calves, shins, and thighs.
It is crucial to bend your knees to engage these muscles, which will significantly simplify your process since it will allow you to control the board actively.
Control Speed And Knees
Instead of engaging your toes while attempting to steer the board, it is best to drive your knees forward and backward. This will enable you to control the speed of your body in relation to the board.
This will reduce the effort you need to put into maintaining a good balance and help you learn new tricks more quickly.
Best Places For Skimboarding (USA)
There are many places in the United States where you can go and enjoy skimboarding.
This list includes:
California
This state has some of the best beaches you can visit and enjoy skimboarding. The most popular spots are Virginia Beach, Orange County, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, and Hermosa Beach.
Florida
It is a well-known state for its fantastic beaches and warm waters, making this place perfect for beginners just starting with the sport.
The most popular places include Tampa Bay, Clearwater Beach, and the West Coast of the stat.
Hawaii
This is a great place to go during the winter when it is too cold to go to California. The most popular beaches are Keaukaha and Hapuna Beach Park.
Texas
You can enjoy skimboarding on Mustang Island, Galveston Island, San Diego, South Padre Island, and Port Aransas.
North Carolina
You can go to many beaches and enjoy all year round. The most popular ones include Sea Level, Kitty Hawk, Ocean View, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, and Carolina Beach.
Final Thoughts on What Is Skimboarding
To answer the question of what skimboarding is? In short, we can say that it is a fun sport that can offer you a fantastic rush of thrill that you can experience at the beach or in the water.
All you need is a board and a pair of skates, and you can start enjoying this fantastic pastime immediately.