Bodyboarding is one of the great ways to spend the day at the beach. But just like other watersports, it is important to stay safe while you’re having fun. There are many people who don’t take bodyboarding safety seriously like other watersports such as surfing. But even though bodyboarding seems to be safer for you than surfing, it is still important to treat it with the same respect and protect yourself while enjoying it.
If you are going to bodyboard soon, we are going to give you tips on how you can protect yourself while having fun. These tips are great for both beginners and more advanced bodyboarders.
Sun Protection
Protecting yourself from the sun is one of the most important things you should consider not just when bodyboarding but when doing other watersports as well. It’s because getting sunburns is one of the most common things that people experience at the beach. Sunburns hurt and it can also increase the chances of people to have skin cancer. Therefore, when you go bodyboarding, it’s important to wear sunscreen to avoid getting sunburned. Aside from sunscreen, you should also wear protective clothing such as rash guards with UV protection.
Protect Yourself from Rip Currents
Another danger that you might face when bodyboarding are rip currents. They are one of the major causes of accidental drowning on beaches in different parts of the world. In fact, many bodyboarding incidents involve people caught in rip currents.
Rip currents are strong currents that can drag you and other debris away from the shallows of the shoreline going to deeper water. They are powerful in larger surf where most people go for bodyboarding.
Rip currents are very difficult to spot. You can sometimes recognize them by a channel of churning, choppy water on the surface of the sea. The best way for you to avoid rip currents is to choose a beach that is lifeguarded. You should also know the safe spots on where you can bodyboard and stay there at all times.
If in case you were caught in a rip while bodyboarding, do not try to swim against it because that will only get you exhausted. Try to stand if you can or swim parallel to the shore until you’re free of the rip, then head to the shore. Try to raise your hand and shout as well so that the lifeguards and other people can help you.
You Must Practice Swimming Before You Try Bodyboarding
This tip is for beginners. You don’t really need to be a very good swimmer to bodyboard, but keep in mind that you need to swim out in the water at some point or another. For example, if you lose your board which can really happen, you need to swim to be able to retrieve it or go back to the shore without any hassle. If you want to try bodyboarding but you’re not a strong swimmer, then you need to practice first. You can take lessons or practice swimming at the local pool. That way, when you go bodyboarding, you can stay safe and protected and that you’re not putting others in danger as well because you know how to swim.
Do Not Go Bodyboarding Alone
When bodyboarding, it’s safer to go with friends and other bodyboarders than go alone out in the water. Accidents may occur and if you’re with other people, you can ensure that there is someone to help you in case of any problems while bodyboarding. Attempting to bodyboard, especially for beginners, can put you in a very dangerous situation.
If ever there’s no one to go with you to bodyboard, you need to make sure that you let someone know where you will be bodyboarding and for how long you plan to do the activity. This way, they will be able to look for you and take some action if you do not get back on time.
Find the Right Board
In bodyboarding, it is important to have the right board that will work best for you and that will match your skill level in bodyboarding because that is also a big factor in keeping you safe. Aside from that, choosing the right bodyboard also depends on body type and water conditions. If you do not have your own bodyboard yet, it’s better to ask experts and professional bodyboarders for you to find the best board for your needs. There are many different types and designs of body boards out there and choosing one can be challenging. But if you ask for help in deciding and if you know your skill level in bodyboarding, then it will be easy for you to determine what kind of bodyboard you need.
Be Aware of the Weather
When bodyboarding, you should also become aware of the weather and keep an eye on the sky. When on the beach, the weather can change quickly, meaning, there will be a huge variety of waves to enjoy, but it can be dangerous as well. You need to be aware of the changes in the water and of storms that are moving in so you can stay safe and protected.
Bodyboarding is a great and enjoyable watersport, especially when you know how to keep yourself protected while doing it. We hope that the tips we gave will help you stay safe and protected on your next bodyboarding adventure. If you’re a beginner in bodyboarding, you can also check out our bodyboarding tips for beginners.