Skimbording

Skimboarding is a sport similar to surfing which takes place near the shore. The skimboarder stands about twenty feet from the ocean 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. There are many possibilities for riding the waves and this is where skimboarding gets really interesting. The most important part of skimboarding is picking the right wave. 1.)Without good wave judgment, even the best skimboarder will have problems. When first learning to skim it is best to choose a flat beach like the one pictured. The best time to begin running for a wave is right after the wave breaks. If the skimmer does not run at the right time, they will have trouble once they get on their board. 2.) Once the skimmer reaches the water or the wet sand, they throw down the board so they can jump on it. This is the first physically challenging obstacle to beginners. It is more difficult then it looks at first and many people don't stick with skimboarding because this step is too hard. However, with persistence, and patience, even the most uncoordinated person can learn to skimboard. Everyone takes a 'few' bruises learning how to get on the board. 3.) Once on the board, the skimmer must be equally careful not to fall off! They must keep their weight centered over the board and keep the board pointed towards the ocean. It is common to accelerate too quickly and lose control so it important not to run too fast. The skimmer must also prepare for the wave. When the skimboard meets the ocean, the riders weight must be on their back foot so the nose of the board does not catch on the water. Notice how the pictured rider has all of his weight on his back foot so he can glide up over the water instead of plowing through it. 4.) If all of the previous steps are completed flawlessly, the rider might have the opportunity to actually ride a wave. Depending on if the rider has enough speed, balance and ability to turn, the rider can do various maneuvers while banking off the wave and riding towards the shore. Unlike surfing, skimboarding allows for the ability to spin, greatly increasing the possibilities.
Skimboarding has a rich history. 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. Modern skimboarding has evolved into a "real" sport where the limits are being tested by some of the best board riders on the planet. We have to be really careful when we board though since you could fall and not only bruise yourself but also sprain or fracture a one. *laugh* like my cousin!
Modern skimboards are made out 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 with 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. Skimboards 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). 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.