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.

[@CreateYourHeaven]

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

[@TannerMartty]

Great breakdown, Jay. Big thanks.

[@Bikepark167]

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

[@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! :)

[@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!

[@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 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@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

[@nateheldt6502]

Good video

[@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.

[@franciscocerqueira7179]

Perfect Class

[@eBodyboardingcom]

Thanks Francisco!

[@jedi2610]

MERCI

[@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!

[@Jamie-bower-fan]

What way do i put me bored the hard way or the phomie way?

[@wave._.hunter]

How do I help my friend commit to waves and pull in to barrels?

[@eBodyboardingcom]

Well, that's all psychological. He has to WANT to pull in to barrels. Can't teach that.

[@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.

[@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:
ruclips.net/video/FUwrdwoMVS8/видео.html
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.

[@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

[@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]

ruclips.net/video/9wBwzAHR4r8/видео.html

[@KickingTeeRugby]

board wax

[@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.

[@luisrodriguez1779]

What’s the brand of fins he is wearing?

[@JayReale]

Tribe T1.

[@kbida-boy9376]

I dont know why my board slide is there any solution

[@eBodyboardingcom]

You need wax:
ruclips.net/video/9wBwzAHR4r8/видео.html

[@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