| 360 On The Sand |
This is a very simple move where
the skimboarder spins 360 degrees while sliding on the sand.
The easiest way to initiate rotation is to bend over and drag
your hand in the sand. The rotation is not easy to control
once it is started so make sure you are not sliding toward rocks
or anything else that might cause injury. Note: You
can spin around more than once, twice would be a 720 et cetera,
just have fun! |
| Ollie |
Borrowed from skateboarding.
A skimboarder traveling over water can push down with his or her
back foot and lift up with the front foot. In doing this
the skimboarder is able to pull the skimboard into the air with
him as he jumps, for a short period of time anyway. |
| Fire Hydrant |
This is a kind of silly move that
you might try for kicks. While sliding along the sand put
your hand on the nose of the board and lift your front leg up
behind you so that you are supported only by your hand and your
back foot. The move got its name because when you do it
you look like a dog taking a leak on a fire hydrant. Be
careful not to fall on your head! |
| Flyaway |
This is basically a name to
describe when a skimboarder launches himself straight of the top
of a wave. The skimboarder usually approaches the wave
straight on and jumps when he reaches the top. This has
the effect of hurling the skimboarder through the air, often
uncontrollably. It is very popular with beginners, but
wont make you a better skimboarder. It can be fun
though... (See "Flips" in the intermediate section) |
| Yoda |
While
sliding on the sand sit on the board, cross your legs, and hold
you arms out with your fingers curled in that physic hotline
type way. If you want to you can dig your fingers into the
sand and spin at the same time. |
| Coffin |
This is actually a really fun move
just because it can be really scary if there are any waves
coming at you. While sliding along the sand, bend down and
put both hands on your board. Then slowly sit down and
make sure you are centered on the board. Once you have
done this lay down on your back with your arms straight at your
sides like you are in a coffin. The trick is to do this
really fast so that by the time you are actually laying down you
are still moving at a reasonable speed. Be careful that
you do not slide out of control into any rocks or other hard
objects. |
| Bomb Drop |
This is an alternate way to get on
your board adapted from skateboarding. You run along the
sand with the board in one had at your side. You then jump
into the air and simultaneously put the board under your
feet. If you do it right you will slide away with no
problems. If you do it wrong the board will slide out and
you will land on your ass, hard. Be careful. |
| Shuvit or Shove It |
A shuvit is a move where the
skimmer jumps in the air while kicking his board around 180
degrees (or more). Here is how to do it, bend you legs
ever so slightly and make a small jump. Just before your
feet leave the board however, push the back end of the board
(either out or in) so that the board will spin underneath you
while you are in the air. It takes a little practice but
the idea is to land on the board riding backwards. This
trick is a beginner move when it is performed on flat sand but
can be an intermediate or advanced move when performed on waves. |
Basic Turn or
Speed Run |
This move is performed on the
water. If you skim somewhere with waves, wait until the
water has sucked out (exposing the sand) and the next wave is
breaking. You want to time your run so that you reach the
water just after it 'flattens out' so that you can make the
transition up onto the top of the water with no problems.
When you think its the right time to run, begin running at an
angle (about 45 degrees) relative to the water line (this makes
the turn easier, and it makes you go faster!). Drop your
board and get on as you normally would. As you approach
the water, put your weight on your back foot, thereby lifting
the nose and allowing you to glide up onto the water as opposed
to plowing through it. After you are on top of the water
begin turning by applying weight to the back 'shore-side' rail.
The more weight you put on your back foot throughout the turn
the more control you will have. However, the more centered
over the board you are (the more you use your side rail to turn
rather than the back of the board) the faster you will go.
It may help you to put your hand in the water or near it and use
it as a pivot point to turn around. I think that
'backside' turns are easier (your back facing the ocean)
For some more similar pointers check out the Introduction
to Skimboarding |
