How To Paddle Out Back On A Bodyboard - Bodyboard School

How to paddle out for a bodyboard session
Ask any good bodyboarder what’s the key to getting out the back effectively, and they’ll tell you that it’s all brain and not brawn! In this short clip Rob Barber explains how a 5-10minute observation of conditions (set wave frequency, rip currents, wind direction, position of other surfers and land markers) as opposed to racing into the water the moment you pull up to the beach, is key to an efficient paddle out. His top tips will not only have you paddling out more quickly, but also have you saving vital energy that can be transferred to your wave riding.
for the blog post (which will appear with the other advice clips on robbarber.com)
How to paddle out on a bodyboard
Probably the least exciting part of your bodyboard session is paddling out through the oncoming waves.
There are some simple tips that can make this task much easier. This video dissects the paddle out to save you time and energy. With the ultimate goal of improving your wave riding!
Become aware of;
- set wave frequency,
- how to use rip currents,
- wind direction,
- position of other surfers
- keeping your position in the line up using land markers
Why not join us for some bodyboard coaching in the UK or one of our international trips abroad and we can help you improve all aspects of your riding.

[@Punkologist]

Great advice. Over summer I had a session where I took ages to get out the back on a fairly big day. By the time I got out there I was stuffed and wiped out on the first wave that came!

[@BodyboardSchool]

A bit of extra time and planning at the beginning of the session can really help. Good luck with your paddle outs! Rob

[@BodyboardSchool]

@Aquatic Mullet It happens to the best of us from time to time. A bit of planning can help out though : )

[@artist7998]

I just started going out this past week for the first time in 25 years. A lot of what you said is good advice that I had forgotten. I am starting a whole month on the beach. It is cold but pumping the blood keeps me warm and a quick jump in the spa after get feeling back in the toes. Looking forward to getting out tomorrow. The dawn patrol is my time, cold but empty.

[@bodyboard_holidays]

This is great to hear. Glad you are enjoying your time back in the water. Be sure to checkout the rest of our videos on our channel. www.youtube.com/@bodyboard_holidays

[@georgiosiliopoulos8689]

Mate, you are the man! Thanks! Greetings from sunny n´ wavy Portugal!

[@hillbilly067]

loving the chill short videos, very insightful

[@nathanwilliams9695]

I need to do that learn patience. Studying the waves corresponds with this video and Rob. Lulls yeah lulls and gullys’ very true about the shape of natural forces.

[@BodyboardSchool]

You've got to let mother nature help you! I'm glad that it was helpful! Rob

[@SF-wr4zn]

After a 2hr drive it’s difficult not to rush in there when it’s pumping....especially when you’ve been in lockdown for 3 months! Going to Thurso tomorrow...let’s hope I use my 🧠

[@thumbs7925]

"line up with a marker on shore" brilliant

[@BodyboardSchool]

It's helped me out to score waves loads of times. I hope that it's useful for you as well! Thanks Rob

[@dofflehouse1]

Awesome vid, very informative and helpful

[@michaelmccartan8739]

Most usefull thing I've heard super usefull. Cheers mate !!

[@ashandrewsaustralia2986]

Well said Rob - really helpful - ta for putting in the time for a great video

[@infonac392]

Thanks a lot Ash. Glad that it helped out. You should join us across the water from you in Bali for a bodyboard-holiday! Is there anything else that you'd like to learn? thanks

[@DriftLibrary]

Great info. Thanks!

[@maxpov]

Awesome advice bro

[@antonioantonucci45]

Great and very useful video, thanks a lot

[@PortbyhanMan]

Sound advice Rob ;)

[@Razor2722]

great video man, thanks for it. Got yourself a new subber!

[@infonac392]

Thanks a lot, happy to help!

[@henrymaquilon647]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqeceI2Fn76imZo

[@arizonaranger527]

I love bodyboarding , I’m 33 , I love wiping out and getting mogged by Poseidon hahaha

[@bodyboard_holidays]

Glad you're enjoying it!

[@RocketDog73]

Great video with some good advice. Cheers 🍻

[@inbox0000]

good info thanks

[@ahmad4954]

Thank you a lot for your advice they are very helpful 😁

[@BodyboardSchool]

I'm glad that you have found the advice useful! Please let me know if you would like tips on anything else.

[@2524193]

Please more vids!

[@taino1975]

Awesome video, very comprehensive thanks!

[@infonac392]

I hope that it helps you get out there easier and score more waves per session. Let me know if you'd like any further tips as I'm putting them together all of the time. Thanks Rob

[@mineminecraft9563]

Thanks I might go on a trip

[@jonahairsoft5620]

Your videos are so cool

[@MikeBaas]

Good advice to chill out and assess the situation before hitting the water.

[@BodyboardSchool]

Save yourself a lot of time in the long run! A quicker paddle out means more waves and ultimately more fun!

[@bonmorse1608]

Thanks man, going bodyboarding today! Should be good help

[@infonac392]

Stoked that you found it helpful. I hope that you had a good session!

[@profitspecialists]

Makes me want to paddle out right now haha

[@BodyboardSchool]

Get yourself out there and enjoy yourself! I hope that this vid helped : )

[@novafield]

dope stuff!

[@scottb3378]

Excellent advice, makes the whole session much more fun. Thanks for the vid.

[@heiariiburori137]

Hello. Can u explain how to reverse prone spin point by point?

[@TheEnergyball]

Great explanation @ bean tins!

[@BodyboardSchool]

I’m glad that it was helpful!

[@Lucas-wf4vv]

ensina a mandar ars, tenho dificuldade com essa manobra

[@christiaanoosterveen8528]

Bring up some videos where you analyze the ocean..

[@BodyboardSchool]

Good suggestion, yes, I will add to the to-do list! Cheers Rob

[@mingqin9310]

You mentioned walking backwards until it's chest high, but I find it hard to even stand still when a wave comes, while facing back. How to hold your position against those waves? Thanks for this video btw!

[@BodyboardSchool]

Hey Ming, thanks for the question. As you walk out backwards with your fins on it's really important to look over your shoulder in the direction that you are going. Make yourself as small to the oncoming waves as possible and really, aggressively step in to the oncoming wave to stop it knocking you back to the shore. Check out this advice clip, you should find it useful; kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5TTiHuOrbCUjJI thanks, Rob

[@jimmymcgovern5318]

Now i know why i am so fit.... I just went straight in the middle... Head on....lol

[@victorlopeziqq]

creo que deberían venir a conocer nuestro trabajo a chile.

[@BodyboardSchool]

Victor Lopez thanks for the comment 🤙

[@Zapgod]

Well theres one good use for a riptide lol

[@kallemann67]

'Riptide is your friend'. I'll have to remember that one next time out....

[@infonac392]

Hey Karl, thanks for the comment. Remember that Rips can be useful if they carry you in the direction that you want to go and that you are confident that you can paddle across and out of the current. Definitely a useful way to get through the break line is to identify where the waves aren't breaking and paddle out there. Good luck and stay safe. Rob

[@mr_draw8019]

Are 0.4m waves with a frequency of 3s a good ones ??

[@infonac392]

Hey there, I would say that waves of that size and frequency would be small, probably created by a local wind system so only offering short rides. I'd look for waves that are a bit bigger with a much bigger period of 12 seconds or more. Good luck!

[@henrymaquilon647]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqeceI2Fn76imZo

[@dancross5672]

What beach is this at

[@PortbyhanMan]

Looks like Portugal to me, I could be wrong mind you.

[@UncleEti]

French Atlantic coast is like that too.

[@infonac392]

It's our Secret Morocco trip, we visit here in March and November each year. Always fun and there are no other riders here, loads of great peaks to score! Check this link - www.bodyboard-holidays.com/the-holidays/africa/morocco/secret-morocco/

[@Tonystarkes888]

sounds way more important when i british guy is saying it, its like we need to catch this way yeah, the earth depends on this gov

[@user-zy9yg2eu5t]

I am homosensual. Does this mean I can't paddle?

[@nathanolkers1831]

Yawn

[@bodyboard_holidays]

🤙