Skimboarding

Skimboarding

Publication Date: July 2000

Skimboarding is a sport similar to surfing, however, riders don't ride the waves inshore as surfers do. The sport of skimboarding takes place on a beach where the waves usually crash on the shore. The skimboarder stands about twenty feet from the ocean (where the wet and dry sand meet) with skimboard in hand and waits for a wave. When they see a wave they run towards it with their skimboard still in hand. Upon reaching the wet sand they drop the board and jump onto it as quickly as possible. Once on the board, the skimmer must remain as stable as possible and prepare to make the transition to the ocean. The skimmer then (hopefully) glides out into the ocean toward the oncoming wave, banks off of it, and rides it back into shore. Beginning skimboarders usually just ride on the sand.

Skimboards can be found in various lengths, shapes and sizes. Modern skimboards are made of fiberglass or carbon fiber and high density foam to serve as a core. The fiberglass/carbon fiber is a fabric which becomes stiff when saturated wiith resin and left to cure. When this fiberglass or carbon fiber is laid over a shaped piece of foam, saturated with resin and left to cure, a skimboard is made. Skim-boards vaguely resemble surfboards - they are about half the length, half the thickness, and slightly wider. Unlike surfboards, skimboards have no skegs (fins on the bottom of the board used for controlling direction). The board has a slightly rounded bottom and is designed to glide flat across the sand and water, turned by the footwork of the rider. They are much less stable and require a lot of practice to be able to control. Because they are less stable and, specifically because they lack skegs, many things can be done on a skimboard that cannot be done on a surfboard. There are many possibilities for riding the waves and this is where skimboarding gets really interesting.

Skimboarding has a rich history that dates back to the late 1920's when Laguna Beach lifeguards used to skimboard on pieces of wood. Although people still skimboard on wood skimboards throughout the world, the sport has evolved immensely. In the early 1960's there was a group of guys who would skimboard at Victoria Beach. Their boards were sometimes referred to as "double enders" because of their shape. The boards were rounded at both ends but one end had a larger radius, which was the nose of the board. Even in these early days of skimming people were pushing the limits by venturing out into the waves. Some of the basic moves were speed runs and fly aways with the occasional top turn to make a big spray.

Today skimboarding is one of the most high-tech water sports anywhere, while continuing to be one of the smallest. The boards used by professional skimboarders are built using technology adapted from aerospace to attain maximum lightness, buoyancy, and rocker. The board used by the average skimboarder is far more technologically advanced than that of the average surfer.

What started over 60 years ago on round wood boards has evolved into a highly competitive water sport. Most people know skimboarding as "that thing you do on the sand," and while this is true, skimboarding has become so much more than that.

Ask fifty people what an ideal skimboarding wave is and you'll get fifty different answers. Everyone has their own version of "the perfect wave." In general, however, the closer the waves break to shore, the better, since the closer the waves are, the easier they are to get to. While an advanced skimboarder may be able to reach waves further out and thereby get longer rides, closer waves are generally regarded as better.

Beginner skimmers usually learn to skim on long, flat beaches where the waves recede very slowly (low tide is the best time for this). Unless you're rich, it is best to start learning on inexpensive wood boards before moving up to foam. Foam boards are better suited for surfing off the waves which is something most beginners probably won't be doing. There are two basic goals for the beginner. The first is to learn when to time the wave and throw the board; and the second is to jump on the moving board and maintain control.

Many people try skimboarding, but most quit because they can't maintain their balance when they jump on the moving board. Patience and persistence is the key to learn how to skimboard. Wait until the wave begins to recede and the water is about one inch deep before throwing the board parallel to the shoreline. Sprint at full speed after the board and leap into the air and land with both feet at the same time on the board. If you land with one foot before the other, the board will either stop or you'll go sailing through the air. Make sure your legs are spread wide when you land on the board in order to distribute your weight evenly. Just remember that everybody gets a few bruises learning how to skim, just keep trying. Once you have mastered the basic skimboard moves, and have developed your balance, you are ready to start skimming at a downward angle into the waves and try to surf back in on them.

Though skimboarding is a small sport, it is practiced throughout the world. Some countries that are known for skimboarding include France, Japan, Mexico, and especially the USA. The waves in Laguna are second perhaps only to those of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Other major skimboarding areas in the US are Santa Cruz California, Dewey Beach, Delaware, and Florida.

For more information on skimboarding, check out the following websites:

http://www.skimonline.com/

http://perso.libertysurf.fr/skimboard/