Bodysurfing

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Bodysurfing in La Jolla California

Bodysurfing is the art and sport of riding a wave without the assistance of any buoyant device such as a surfboard or bodyboard. Bodysurfers typically equip themselves only with a pair of specialized swimfins for optimized propulsion, though some practitioners also carry or wear a small planing surface on the hand to aid with positioning on the wave face. These include Hand Paddles, Hand Guns, Wave Blades, Redwings and others used to gain extra speed across the face of the wave.

The most famous bodysurfing spot in the world is located in Newport Beach California,and is known as The Wedge.Waves there can reach upwards of 30ft and more on big Southern Hemisphere and Hurricane generated swells during the Spring,Summer and Fall.Known mainly for high performance bodysurfing and intense jaw dropping rides and wipeouts,these waves are created by swells hitting the jetty and "rebounding" into the oncoming wave creating the "wedge-effect" and peaks that can "jack up" to incredible sizes and shapes.When it's "on" The Wedge is for experienced riders only.

Bodysurfers tend to have a minimalist attitude toward wave riding and consider their sport to be more pure than other forms of riding waves. The lack of floatation allows a bodysurfer to ride the wave under the surface of the water. Some surfers in Hawaii have stated they use bodysurfing as conditioning for big wave riding.

In riding waves on the body, a number of variations to other types of wave-riding can be experienced. To exit the wave immediately after catching it, simply drop the head and a tumble turn will exit the person out of the wave. Care must be taken to ensure the water is deep enough so that no injury is brought about by the head, neck, and shoulders hitting the sand. Left and right turns can be performed by digging the shoulder into the wave, causing the person to slide to the side of the wave. In small surf in waist-deep water, a variation known as the "Dolphin Pop" involves diving towards the shore as the wave prepares to break, resulting in popping out on the wave like a dolphin.

Annually, the Pipeline Bodysurfing Classic competition runs at the world famous Banzai Pipeline. This event is considered to be a world class pro/am competition and yet is also considered one of the truly unique underground surf contests around. From the bodysurfing population et al, the event is considered the premiere event internationally. This event is partially sposerd by Pantagonia, the sports apparel company. BODYSURFING IS NOT SWIMMING!!!!