California Bodyboarding

img

We've all seen those daring surfers who challenge the waves, but tourists tend to pay less attention to bodyboarders with the squat, little flim-flam boards you can't stand upon to take a ride. Bodyboarding gets no respect! But for those who participate in the sport and even compete in contests, there's no lost sleep. In some places where bodyboarding is the only kind of ride you can take, the dangers and challenges are every bit as real as those faced by surfers.

Think about it--your body and face is right down at water level with the oncoming wave which means you're coming into direct contact with the forces of nature. California very well might be the epicenter of bodyboarding just by the sheer numbers of participants. The state loves the sport and in schools where there are bodayboarding teams, some have cited the necessity to form nonprofits and hold their contests and events without the school's support, due primarily to liability issues. Yes, bodyboarding can be dangerous if not done right.

  • Californian Tom "Y" Morey invented the modern bodyboard in 1971, called the Boogie board. He continues to break new ground in combining soft and firm materials in boards used for surfing and bodyboarding.
  • Californian Paul Roach developed a new style of progressive dropknee riding in both small and large waves and is considered the greatest dropknee rider of all time.
  • California Bodyboarding is an organization the promotes the sport through contests.
  • Though Hawaii ranks among the best bodyboarding destinations, in California the famed Wedge in Newport Beach is a must-see stop on Southern California visits. Do not pick this spot to learn how to bodyboard. It's a dangerous spot!



2014 ISA World Bodyboard Championship
IQUIQUE, CHILE: DECEMBER 6-14
The ISA World Bodyboard Championship (WBC) is an ISA World Championship that features 172+ athletes representing 24 countries from
around the world. Competitors will face off in the following divisions—Open Men and Women, Under-18 Boys and Girls, and Open Drop-
Knee. isasurf.org/events

ISA WORLD BODYBOARD CHAMPIONSHIP CONTEST FORMAT
24 Countries
172+ Athletes and Officials
7 athletes per team + 1 coach
5 Divisions
3 Open Men Bodyboarders
1 Open Women Bodyboarder
1 Under-18 Boys Bodyboarder
1 Under-18 Girls Bodyboarder
1 Open Drop-Knee Bodyboarder
1 Gold Medal National Team
isasurf.org/events/isa-world-bodyboard-championship The Californian-based bodyboarding contest series run by Chris Granone, Shawn Backus and several other great volunteers is back in
action. The BIA Tour will run Semi Pro divisions (AAA), as well as Soft Stand-Up, Female, Drop-Knee, Masters (+30), Men (18-29),
Juniors (15-17) and Youth (Under 14). biatour.net California Bodyboarding
he Bodyboarder International Association (BIA) Tour 2013 is kicking off its 16th season, in California.
EVENT # 5

HUNTINGTON BEACH

BIA CHAMPS

SEPT 6TH, 2014

PRO / AM

AA RATED

Boogieboarding due to the invention of the "Boogie Board" by Tom Morey. The average bodyboard consists of a short, rectangular piece
of hydrodynamic foam, sometimes containing a short graphite rod within the core called a stringer. Bodyboarders typically use swim
fins for additional propulsion and control while riding a wave.

Paul Roach (California, USA) is accredited with developing a new style of progressive dropknee riding in both small and large waves.
He is also considered, by many, as the greatest dropknee rider of all time.

Michael Novy doing an air reverse 360 at Backdoor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii PH: Evan Fa

You will almost always find decent, rideable surf at Oceanside Pier, while Blacks Beach offers some of the best barrels and biggest
surf in Southern California. When the swell is good, Oceanside Pier throws some killer barrels too! By far the best reef break here
in Southern California would be Trestles. Trestles is a world class surf break

May 2014 surfsss.org Scholastic Surf Series
Niguel Hills Middle School is No. 1 in California for bodyboarding after capturing the Scholastic Surf Series' state title Sunday at
Oceanside's Harbor Beach.
Individually, Tommy Rinaldini won the bodyboard division at the two-day tournament, and his Niguel Hills teammate, Nathan Elsner,
placed fourth. There were six finalists and 21 bodyboard teams in the event.
I have a lot of good bodyboarders,” coach Jay Parry said via e-mail, noting that a third member of the team, Hayden Stein, took
second place at the last Orange County SSS contest. For liability reasons we cannot be part of the school anymore,” Parry said.
Shorecliffs, Marco (Forster) and all the rest of the Capistrano (Unified School District) schools are in the same boat. I keep it
going because of what it does for these youngsters. It gives them an introduction to surfing in competition and builds team spirit.
Most of all it portrays surfing in a positive way.”
The Wedge
Newport Beach, California

Party/Event
Surfing/Watersport
Easy Access
Paid Parking
Bicycling
Bodyboarding/Bodysurfing
Jogging
Skimboarding

Point Dume
Malibu, California

Family
Rare Wildlife/Marinelife
Surfing/Watersport
Parking Pass Required
Remote
Bodyboarding/Bodysurfing
Jogging
Snorkeling

Lower Trestles
San Clemente, California

Dog Friendly
Quiet
Surfing/Watersport
Free Public Parking
Parking Pass Required
Remote
Bicycling
Bodyboarding/Bodysurfing
Fishing
JoggingHendrys Beach
Santa Barbara, California

Dog Friendly
Easy Access
Free Public Parking
Bicycling
Bodyboarding/Bodysurfing
Jogging
Stand-up Paddleboarding

San Elijo
Encinitas, California

Family
Party/Event
Paid Parking
Bodyboarding/Bodysurfing
Jogging
Stand-up Paddleboarding
SurfingMoonlight Beach
Encinitas, California

Family
Party/Event
Surfing/Watersport
Easy Access
Free Public Parking
Bodyboarding/Bodysurfing
Fishing
Kiteboarding
Surfing

Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach, California

Dog Friendly
Family
Party/Event
Easy Access
Free Public Parking
Paid Parking
Bicycling
Bodyboarding/Bodysurfing
Jogging
Kiteboarding

Venice Beach

Dog Friendly
Family
Party/Event
Easy Access
Paid Parking
Bicycling
Bodyboarding/Bodysurfing
Jogging
Skimboarding

Mesa Lane Beach
Santa Barbara, California
Dog Friendly
Remote
Bodyboarding/Bodysurfing
Jogging
Swimming

Salt Creek
Dana Point, California
Family
Party/Event
Surfing/Watersport
Paid Parking
Bodyboarding/Bodysurfing
Jogging
Surfing
Swimming

Hammonds Beach
Santa Barbara, California
Quiet
Surfing/Watersport
Easy Access
Free Public Parking
Paid Parking
Bicycling
Bodyboarding/Bodysurfing
Surfing
Swimming

WESTERN SURF ASSOCIATION
2014/2015 Schedule http://www.surfwsa.org/schedule/

August 2 & 3, 2014 – WSA Championship Tour Event #1 – Trail Six, San Onofre State Beach
September 6 & 7, 2014 – Surf for the Sea – Oceanside Harbor, North Jetty. Not a WSA event. Specialty event run by Carolyn Krammer of
WSA and SSS
September 20 & 21, 2014 – WSA Championship Tour Event #2 – Surfers Point, Ventura
October 11 & 12, 2014 – WSA Championship Tour Event #3 – San Fernando Place, Mission Beach
November 8 & 9, 2014 – WSA Championship Tour Event #4 – Pismo Beach Pier, Pismo Beach
December 6 & 7, 2013 – WSA Championship Tour Event #5 and Toys 4 Tots Collection – San Clemente Pier
January 17 & 18, 2015 – WSA Championship Tour Event #6 – South Harbor Jetty, Oceanside
February 14 & 15, 2015 – WSA Championship Tour Event #7 – Huntington Beach Pier South Side
March 14 & 15, 2015 – WSA Championship Tour Event #8 – South Harbor Jetty, Oceanside
April 25 & 26, 2015 – WSA Championship Tour Event #9 – Salt Creek Beach Park, Dana Point
May 30 & 31, 2015 – WSA West Coast Championships, Church Beach, San Onofre (Must surf 5 events)

National Scholastic Surfing Association - Southwest Schedule nssa.org/

2014/2015 SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE OPEN
SEASON SCHEDULE

1 A September 20-21 Oceanside South Jetty
AIRSHOW 2 A September 27-28 Huntington Beach Pier

3 A October 11-12 Cardiff by the Sea Seaside Reef

4 A November 15-16 San Onofre Church

5 A November 22-23 Newport Beach 54th St.

AIRSHOW 6 A December 20-21 Cardiff by the Sea Seaside Reef

7 A January 24-25 Dana Point Salt Creek

8 A February 28-March 1 Ventura C St

AIRSHOW 9 A March 21-22 Oceanside South Jetty

10 A April 25-26 San Onofre Uppers

2015 NSSA WEST COAST CHAMPIONSHIPS

Date
City
Location
May 14-17 Huntington Beach Southside Pier
2015 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS SCHEDULENational Interscholastic College, High School and Middle School Championships
June 13-15
Dana Point Salt Creek
National Airshow Championships
June 26-July 3
Huntington Beach Pier
National Open and Explorer
Championships
June 26-July 3
Huntington Beach Pier
National Awards
Ceremony
July 3
Huntington Beach Pier

The NSSA Southwest Conference services Southern California. The Southwest Conference regional office operates out of the NSSA
National Office which is located in Huntington Beach. SURFING AMERICA surfingamerica.org/events/
Prime West Coast 2014/2015

August 9 & 10, 2014 – DMJ's Camp Pendleton
October 4, 2014 – Church, San Onofre State Beach (one day event)
December 13 & 14, 2014 – Salt Creek Beach Park, Dana Point
January 10 & 11, 2015, Steamer Lane, Santa Cruz
February 7 & 8, 2015 (tentative) – Upper Trestles, San Onofre State Beach
May 30 – May 31, 2015 (tentative) – Oceanside Harbor North Jetty
Prime East Coast 2014/2015
October 18 & 19, 2014 (tentative) – Steel Pier, Atlantic Cit
March 7 & 8, 2015 (tentative) – New Smyrna Beach Inlet, New Smyrna Beach, FL
May 2 & 3, 2015 (tentative) – Jennette's Pier, Nags Head, NC
Surfing America USA Championships
June 12 – 14, 2015 – Church Beach, San Onofre State Beach
June 16 – 20, 2015 – Lower Trestles, San Onofre State Beach

WHERE TO BUY: .alternativesurf.com ALTERNATIVE SURF BODYBOARD SHOP
330 D Main St
Seal Beach, CA 90740
Get Directions
Phone number (562) 277-4719
Message the business
Business websitealternativesurf.com
When you're dedicated to the sport, you get a board that matches your riding style, your physical abilities and your weight. I
remember the last board I was designing had similar dimensions as the toobs hexx so one of the staff members gave me one of the off
the shelf boards to try out to see if that template would work for me. I loved it, BUT, i needed more bite for deeper barrels. I took
it back and we reworked my design based on how I felt about the board. I ended up going an inch longer, an inch wider at the wide
point with a full crecent tail with a custom channel. They let me use the hexx board for the 2 weeks that my design was being shaped.

Advertisement

Subscribe to our newsletter!

More Info



Advertisement