To stay slim and fit, it is crucial to engage yourself in recreational activities. However, it is not limited to lifting weights in the gym or doing squats in your room before the day ends.
This generation’s definition of recreational activities has become bolder, more fun, and more thrill. Surfing and bodyboarding have become popular for teenagers and adults who want to have real fun in the water.
However, bodyboarding and surfing are often used interchangeably. While both sports make use of a board to ride the waves, there is a glaring difference between the two.
If you are still reluctant if you want to try bodyboarding vs. surfing, perhaps you should differentiate the two sports first to know which one is the most appropriate for you.
Below is an article that will teach you the difference between bodyboarding vs. surfing. It will also help you choose the most suitable watersports for you.
Table of Contents
Bodyboarding
Bodyboarding is an exciting and beginner-friendly watersport that will allow you to enjoy hours of sea-based sports. Bodyboarding will enable you to grab a few high waves in the ocean, just like surfing. Here are the basics that you need to consider if you want to get started.
The Basics of Bodyboarding
- Swimming – You might want to work on your swimming technique first. In order to be good in bodyboarding, you must be an excellent swimmer. There will be times when you’re going to lose grip of your board. It may give you the peace of mind knowing that you can always find your way back into the shore when you slip because you know how to swim.
- Weather forecasting – understanding the forecast is also a crucial part of bodyboarding. It works the same as surfing or flying your kite. Knowing your timing will help you catch the waves effortlessly. Weather forecasts and weather conditions play a significant role in both surfing and bodyboarding. Before you grab your board and head into the sea, it might benefit you to check if it’s going to rain this afternoon first. Riding the waves in a good weather condition will not only allow you to enjoy the water and the sun but also helps you to lessen the risks of injuring yourself while on the sea.
- Board – your board, will depend on your physique. Muscular men don’t use the same board as slender women. Make sure that your board is easy to manage and allows you to ride the waves with little to no hassle.
Pros
#1. Bodyboarding will help you to stay fit and muscular all year round.
Do you ever wonder why bodyboarders have a chiseled, muscular definition? It’s because paddling helps to tone the muscles in the arms. So, if you want to get fit, you might want to give bodyboarding a try.
#2. Bodyboarding is an excellent anti-stress remedy.
Whenever you’re feeling down, or you can’t seem to manage your stress properly, hitting the beach and catching the waves can work magic for you. Numerous studies have also proven that people who spend their hours in wave sports are happier and more knowledgeable in managing their stress.
#3. Bodyboarding will get you closer to nature.
If you want a recreational activity that involves getting in contact with the environment, bodyboarding is the right wave sports for you. It promotes body relaxation and improvement to your overall well-being.
#4. Bodyboarding is easier, and some would say, safer compared to surfing.
Since you are only dealing with smaller waves, the risks of getting injured in the water are reduced.
Cons
#1. Bodyboarding will most likely give you a gnarly rash if you don’t wear a proper wetsuit.
This is not ideal for people who have sensitive skin.
#2. It is only ideal for kids who want to get started in surfing.
Adults may find it difficult to bodyboard, especially when they’re not in a fit physique.
Surfing
Surfing, undoubtedly, is more popular compared to bodyboarding. It requires months and years of practice before you can perfectly stand up on your surfboard and catch the big waves. Here are some surfing basics that you need to consider if you are still starting:
The Basics of Surfing
- Paddling – the first thing that you need to learn before you surf is paddling. Always keep in mind that it is not advisable to paddle using both of your arms simultaneously. The crawl stroke is the best paddling technique for surfing. It will stabilize the speed until you’re ready to catch the wave.
- Sitting on the board – when you sit on your surfboard, you mustn’t make any unnecessary movements. If you are calm and poised, you will not experience any wobbly changes.
- Weather forecasting – just like bodyboarding, you need to learn weather forecasting as well. Since surfing involves deeper water and bigger waves, it is crucial that you know how to read the weather so that you don’t plunge into the water when the wind is bad and the seas violent.
Pros
#1. Surfing is considered as one of the best cardiovascular exercises.
When you use your upper body to paddle and your legs in guiding the board, you’ll be able to build your endurance. As a result, your heart is healthier.
#2. Surfing is also a great stress reliever.
It can do wonders for your mental health. Surfing has shown positive results for managing stress and improving your mood.
#3. Surfing helps to promote vitamin D in your body.
When you spend hours under the sun, you will not only develop good muscles, but you will also strengthen your bones. The vitamin D helps in regulating the calcium and phosphorus in your blood. It also helps in promoting the growth of skin cells, leaving you with glowing, healthy skin, and strong bones.
#4. Surfing also helps in improving your balance.
It improves your balance that you can not only use in surfing but also in your everyday routines.
Cons
#1. Surfing is more dangerous compared to bodyboarding.
An unexpected collision against other surfers in the ocean can knock you unconscious. It poses a great threat of drowning. This is why it is always recommended that when you surf, you always go with a friend.
#2. Wipeout is also a common issue in surfing.
While waves are pleasing to look at and may even invite some challenge into your sports, some waves are strong enough to bring your bones.
#3. Aggressive surfers are also one of the disadvantages when you are still new at surfing.
Some locals may not care if you collide with them. This is why you need to distance yourself from them to reduce the risks of an unexpected injury.
Bodyboarding vs. Surfing: The Conclusion
Now that you know the differences of bodyboarding and surfing, you may have come up with an idea on which wave sports best suits you.
Bodyboarding is fun for beginners and for those who want to learn surfing in the long run. Surfing is thrilling but needs patience, determination, and constant practice to minimize the risks that it involves.
If you want to play in the water without fear for your safety, you should try bodyboarding. But if you’ve gathered enough courage to plunge into deep waters, then you should try surfing. Bodyboarding can be considered a pre-requisite of surfing.
Both wave sports are fun, thrilling, and has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Nevertheless, you will invest your time and energy and have real fun to whichever you decide – bodyboarding vs. surfing – as to the best watersport for you.
Luke is an avid athlete and the driving force behind Surfhungry, a vibrant online platform dedicated to sharing the joy and passion of surfing and water sports with enthusiasts around the world. With a deep-rooted love for the ocean and a lifelong commitment to riding waves, Luke’s journey as a surfer has inspired him to create a community where like-minded individuals can come together to celebrate their shared passion.
