How to have the proper body/hand positioning while bodyboarding with eBodyboarding.com's Jay Reale

Laying on a bodyboard while kicking, paddling and riding the wave seems simple enough, but body positioning on the board makes a HUGE difference in your progression as a bodyboarder. Former pro Jay Reale shows you how it's done.

[@DeanFerraro]

I remember being out in the water at T-Street with Jay 20 years ago. It was cool to witness a real pro in his element. What struck me most was his wave selection. We'd be sitting around talking, splashing, then Jay would start paddling out of nowhere towards the horizon. I remember thinking "where's he going?" Then a huge slab out of nowhere would appear and guess who'd be on the biggest wave, getting pitted, doing rollos and spins all the way to the beach... Jay!

[@JayReale]

Thanks Dean. Nothing's changed! I'm still at T Street every weekend during the summer! :)

[@TannerMartty]

Great breakdown, Jay. Big thanks.

[@AntonyBeer-ft9tx]

Amazing thank you, at 55 I've just got into bodyboarding, the videos have been so inspiring, thank you Jay, from the north coast in Ireland

[@eBodyboardingcom]

Glad to hear my vids are helpful to you!

[@moto_kai2688]

FN awesome WISH I had these back in early 80s 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Bikepark167]

I cant wait to try these techniques!! You are the man!!!

[@jalarcon1061]

Thanks a lot, Im a beginner and yesterday was trying to paddle and kick at the same time so nothing good came out of that. I Will try your advice today.

[@nboyd99]

Great video, thanks!

[@allosauruski]

Oh thanks! I’ve watch many videos of young hairy beach dudes almost saying « Hey look at me! Let’s do THIS ! » And finally, this kind mature and bald man you are is the best for explanations ! 😉

[@JayReale]

Thanks for the kind words! More videos to come!

[@weareyouthere]

Jay is also a legend in Bodyboarding!

[@sophieashton4559]

I'm planning on trying bodyboarding when I go to California in September.

[@eBodyboardingcom]

Great to hear it Sophie. Feel free to stop by our office/shop.

[@kashifr9970]

Thank you for the video. Very helpful for beginners. Few questions, how to determine if the bodyboard is of good quality and how much should it cost, I just bought one 41" at Acadamy for &15, and I am convinced that is not a very good one. I live by New Orleans and I don't see any specialized store which sells bodyboards around me. Thank you

[@alitoraffa]

I keep having trouble when paddling. My body starts sliding all over the board and I can't keep over the board. Any recommendations?

[@eBodyboardingcom]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6ilqK13fbdnqJo

[@KickingTeeRugby]

board wax

[@deedee3035]

I really want those exact Tribe fins, but the shipping to the UK is more than the cost of the fins. I'll have to keep searching for a UK supplier.

[@eBodyboardingcom]

Yeah, sorry! I wish I had control over shipping rates. If you ever have a friend visiting the USA, even on holiday, you can order a pair to have shipped to their hotel and they can bring them home.

[@deedee3035]

@eBodyboardingcom Just get on your board and paddle over mate, you might need a thermal rashie though, the Atlantic can be a tad nippy around this time. I'll buy you a beer and a pasty when you get here 😆

[@clarencepalencia1697]

i also wanted to know how to stay on a barrel

[@wave._.hunter]

Idk if it’s the right thing to do, but I usually catch the wave diagonal and kinda hold a rail and you can use your feet too to hold onto the wave

[@eBodyboardingcom]

Do you mean stay "in" a barrel? That's a tough one to teach. Depends on many factors- how fast the wave is breaking, your body position on the board, having the correct size board and a good pair of fins, etc.

[@rachaelb4569]

Does anyone know if you have to have fins to body board?

[@eBodyboardingcom]

Hi Rachael, read this: www.ebodyboarding.com/blogs/jay-reale/how-to-choose-a-new-pair-of-swimfins

[@franciscocerqueira7179]

Perfect Class

[@eBodyboardingcom]

Thanks Francisco!

[@jedi2610]

MERCI

[@Griffo2710]

Although I know my board is a tad short for me. Is it typical in your experience that surfers are much faster at paddling in the water? I can’t keep up and often get exhausted in currents on the beach breaks.

[@eBodyboardingcom]

Check this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIbao5etpLKJiZo If you're just paddling out, typically, surfers on LONGER boards will be able to paddle faster, but you have the benefit of alternating between arms and legs.

[@Jhart44]

Any tips on waves that just straight drop you to the floor level..I can’t ride the face of the way at the beach I go too...my waves just straight drop . Any tips to ride them without nose diving?

[@jacobsastrawan4976]

this is what i experience when i bodyboard too

[@eBodyboardingcom]

Sounds like you are riding a shorebreak. If you want to have an easier time on waves like that, you have to use a shorter board and preferably one with a bit more flex so you can "bend" up the nose to avoid the nosedives.

[@robertokivela9382]

Thats problem for me also. Jays tip is of course best tip!! But you should also watcout timing and pick less steep part of wave.

[@evk3593]

Ian Cambell had a recent tutorial about this to keep you from "sliding out" on bigger steeper waves. The main tip is drag your inside knee in the water and that will essential "extend" your rail through your inside leg so your inside knee and inside leg/fin are dragging the face of the wave and helping your hold your rail and stay locked into the barrel.

[@kbida-boy9376]

I dont know why my board slide is there any solution

[@eBodyboardingcom]

You need wax: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6ilqK13fbdnqJo

[@luisrodriguez1779]

What’s the brand of fins he is wearing?

[@JayReale]

Tribe T1.

[@marirosacolon404]

Do I need have that on my feet? 👀

[@JayReale]

Have what on your feet? Swimfins?

[@marirosacolon404]

@@JayReale yes

[@wtfollow3594]

Seeing a boog on concrete with somebody lying on it makes me cringe

[@nateheldt6502]

Good video

[@CreateYourHeaven]

I'm a beginner and had no idea where to position my hands. Thank you for these tips and guidance 😄🙏