YOU SHOULD BE BODYSURFING - HERE'S WHY

[@s.z.9517]

I was a bodyboarder for decades until I got rid of the board and really started bodysurfing in heavy conditions. It is very physical, more than surfing, because you can never rest. So you must develop techniques to stay afloat with minimum effort, switching between legs and arms when you are on the lineup. Also, you are slower on the waves, and you will endure wipeouts more often, pretty much systematically. You got to pick your waves carefully and sometimes let a bomb pass to catch your breath. But the counterparts are awesome.

[@rangatrips]

I agree 100% with the wipeouts, but I'm still trying to figure out what is the most physically demanding. I used to only handle 2 - 2.5 hrs of bodyboarding before I cramped out. Now bodysurfing I can do 4 - 4.5 hrs before cramps set in. Standup Surfing my arms get pumped quickly, but I hardly ever surf. During bodysurf session, I'm definitely using minimal effort during downtime between waves, and just focus on short burst paddling as hard as possible to get speed into the wave. You definitely don't use alot of energy paddling out, but if there is a strong current that drains you to try and stay in position. So probably depends on the conditions really.

[@s.z.9517]

@@rangatrips I live in South West of France, we have strong currents and beach breaks and on big days it is definitely dangerous without a board to rely on. I never get cramps and I workout three times a week so it's not about muscular fatigue, more about cardio and stress management. I can stay 3/4h too on a regular day but when it's big (over 3/4m) I get out as soon as I get a big scare. I mean getting ragdolled for 10 seconds under water and having trouble to find the surface (harder without a board). On some spots around here you really have to swim hard just to stay at the same place because of current.

[@rangatrips]

@@s.z.9517 awesome part of the world mate, I was there about 20 years ago at Hossegor // Seignosse. My favourite spot in Australia is kind of similar, it has 3 - 4 peaks with strong current. But I just start at one end , and once I get ripped to the other end, I just walk up the beach and start again. Anyway stay strong bro and keep riding free!

[@s.z.9517]

@@rangatrips Yes I have my own ticks as well, using the channels between peaks to reach the lineup with favorable currents. But we also have dangerous currents called "baïnes" and when you're stuck in them, it's hard to stay calm ! Sometimes it even sucks you down to the bottom ! Anyways, I'll never go back to bodyboarding, I've become quite good at bodysurfing and the feeling is unmatched. Also on big days, surfers tend to show you respect for your engagement and this can help with localism, very strong (in Hossegor for example).

[@rangatrips]

@@s.z.9517 the feeling is definitely much better, feels like you are flying even paddling through the waves its like a flying. Also less stress, because the other surfers don't know what "category" to put you in!

[@fredwardfortyhands7928]

Thanks for the respectful shout out to us Polys and ofc to the goat, Duke

[@rangatrips]

Hey no worries Fred! Respect defintely given where it is due, you live in the land of the lucky! Duke is for sure the goat! Keep well brother.

[@bodysurfcollective]

Nice video and commentary. Bodysurfing is the root of all wave riding and ocean sports.

[@rangatrips]

@@bodysurfcollective thanks for the compliment mate! It's an awesome way to experience the waves thats for sure!

[@mziwanelepatala8010]

I've started taking bodyboarding seriously this year after losing my job and it has had a tremendous impact on my mental health. I will deffs go out without my boog (within safe parameters) on my next session and I trust it'll be just as fun😁. Thanks for this inspiration man🙏👌.

[@rangatrips]

Sorry to hear about your troubles mate, life does throw alot of crap at us, but its unavoidable. Its hard to keep pushing and the ocean is a great distraction by allowing you to get away from "normal reality" and experience things that really matter. Eventually things on land will correct themselves over time and in their own time. A good way to get confidence to bodysurf is to enter local ocean swim events. They have 1km // 2.5 km options. You can then test your abilitities whilst being surrounded by lifeguards for small entry fee. All the best mate, you'll be allright!

[@Garlicky-831]

This all make sense, i bought a hand plane recently and really am enjoying the challenge!! Buzzing 👋

[@rangatrips]

@@Garlicky-831 Hey Garlick! Great stuff mate! It's a good purchase, but if you want to ride beachbreaks that break in different directions , it would be best to ride without the handplane. What I don't like about the handplanes is having to switch hands for going left or right. You can do it double handed, but best done onehanded.

[@Garlicky-831]

@@rangatripsthanks dude I will say that I feel safer with the plane and winter is coming in the Uk and like you said if you lose a fin you are in a lot of trouble….. but I do appreciate advice rangtrips 👋🧄🫡

[@Garlicky-831]

@@rangatripsthank you brother 👋🧄🫡

[@rangatrips]

@@Garlicky-831 no worries mate!

[@papafoster16]

So appreciate this artistic Ode to the Bodysurfer. Great philosophical perspective with some awesome cinematography! Great waves my guy!

[@rangatrips]

@@papafoster16 Thank you for your kind words mate! Yeh its quite hard to get all the different shots, took quite a few beatings! Cheers mr Foster!

[@andersoncafe7058]

Second song... It feels so good...

[@peacecraft3449]

I really feel "hard to get out into the lineup with a board" today I was pushing and pushing my long board through some pretty choppy stuff until I got exhausted and came in. Went back out with my fins and had a blast.

[@rangatrips]

@@peacecraft3449 awesome stuff mate! Waves were pumping here on east coast Oz today. Its good to have longboard and your fins with you every surf. You're guaranteed to get some kind of stoke

[@patrick4625]

I did the bodysurfing thing for a few years.... It was definitely convenient not to transport surfboards everytime.... 🤙

[@rangatrips]

@@patrick4625 hey Patrick! Its awesome, can goto indonesia with just carry on luggage. Makes things so much easier on buses and ferries etc, cheers for watching!

[@petertowneya]

Thanks for posting this You've clearly put a lot of effort into making a thought provoking and Illuminating video My feet are really wide relative to their length, so I kinda come with flippers 😊 This is such a pure sport indeed I've seen a really old film clip of a man from the Torres Strait Islands bodysurfing and he really looked like he was enjoying it! People think surfing came from people watching dolphins swimming in and through the waves. I haven't seen a dolphin on a surfboard. Bodysurfing is closer to nature.

[@rangatrips]

@@petertowneya Hi Peter! You are blessed and cursed with wide feet! Its an interesting dilema, where did wave riding begin? If humans became proficient at swimming before boat / canoe building, then it would make sense swimming into the waves. But most likely someone glided in to safe harbour by canoe on a wave , and then realised that wood allowed you to ski along the waves. Im sure that dude was having a blast, its lots of fun and brings you close to the energy of the ocean!

[@petertowneya]

@@rangatrips Hey mate! I started at Mona Vale, just north of Sydney Australia. We shared an old softie and a bodyboard between 7 kids so bodysurfing was the best choice. We'd drive from Epping, not exactly coastal, and didn't care how we caught waves. Our parents found an easy childminding service: drink plenty of water, swim between the flags and be back by 4 :) Wide feet can be a curse on land but a blessing in the water.

[@rangatrips]

@@petertowneya I know Mona well! Monawatu! I used to stay at the Avalon Backpackers back in the day. I have done alot of work in Epping, It now has that big train intersection, but still it's difficult to get to Northern Beaches without driving. The bus was very slow. Back in the day must have been awesome to have the kids out of the house all day. These days doesnt happen :)

[@zuzucoyote]

What an amazing video! Just subscribed for more content, keep it up!

[@rangatrips]

@@zuzucoyote Cheers Coyote! Thanks for the sub mate! Hopefully will be making more videos soon, but for now too much working!

[@erikhancock98569]

Fantastic Video 🤙

[@rangatrips]

Cheers Erik! Thanks for the positive vibes!

[@FinnderSumo]

love this video

[@rangatrips]

Cheers Fin, glad you enjoyed my video! Go huge mate!

[@Justgocamping]

Oh, yeah. I tried that once…ONCE. Only I dubbed it “body drowning.”It never caught on, thankfully. You da man, RT.

[@rangatrips]

Loool "ONCE!", I wonder why that did'nt take off? Cheers brother, currently in the lone star state!

[@Justgocamping]

Sweet. Stateside! Safe travels.

[@rangatrips]

@@Justgocamping thanks mate! Pretty safe in Tyler, but Dallas was Sketchy!

[@Jameson1307]

Great video

[@rangatrips]

Thanks mate! Appreciate the support!

[@gouddrofwarc1982]

Wise words

[@rangatrips]

@@gouddrofwarc1982 cheers Doug! Thanks for watching

[@zuzucoyote]

1:53-2:00 How beautiful!

[@outofbounds2022]

You make me wanna get on the waves. Why u post at the start of winter!

[@rangatrips]

Awesome mate, just grab a pair of fins and you're set. Winter is the best time to surf... but maybe not down in Vicco!

[@outofbounds2022]

@rangatrips yeah not here mate. Bass straight has rather chilly waters at the best of times.

[@rangatrips]

@outofbounds2022 Victoriaaaa, the place to be mate! Also gets quite windy down there so that adds to the deep freeze!

[@andersoncafe7058]

Really good video!! Please, credits the first song?

[@rangatrips]

@@andersoncafe7058 cheers mate! Artist : Par Hagstrom - " O , it feels so good "

[@TheDMGinfo]

The lone rang...a

[@rangatrips]

The sheriff

[@TheDMGinfo]

@@rangatrips the sheriff of nothing-man