I love being in water

Discussion in 'Global Bodyboarding Talk' started by Towelie, Jul 3, 2015.

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  1. Jul 3, 2015 #1
    Towelie

    Towelie Well-Known Member

    2,864
    Nov 27, 2014
    So my girl and I are spending a few getaway days on Fire Island for the 4th celebration.
    I took my favorite 7' single fin cruiser, along with spares for a quad set up and so on.. All happy, all stoked, all patriotic.
    Now I don't know if you guys ever been to Fi but from the looks of it - shorebreak. For miles. Outer bar... Yes.. I can see some white water giving out its location but the 3-4 footers that have been semi clean for the past two days here refuse to break that far out.. Perchance I'm in the wrong spot.
    Anyhow, I wake up at 5am and being two blocks away from the green and salty take a stroll there after a night of heavy drinking yesterday. Pass by a dude curled up on the beach... Nice a clean morning... Kinda peeling, but shore break... Oh and not a single bobbing black dot out in the water. We're in ocean beach btw.

    So today I say screw it, find a surf shop and probably overpay for...yes... A body board. A nice little 40-something inch with a leash. Fantastic, now I'm out in the water catching short little rides and getting an a$$ full of sand. Not the point though. Definitely new found respect for anybody over 6yo and spongin - it's freakin FUN.

    Now my question to you, knowledged fellows - I've seen a few vids on YouTube about people putting fins into these fine nautical gliders, is that a must modification? I mean what are the pros and cons, do you rock fins in your ride and if yes - then what kind and how'd you put them in?

    Waves to all y'alls,

    Towelie
     
    Towelie, Jul 3, 2015
    Towelie, Jul 3, 2015
  3. Jul 4, 2015 #2
    EMazzSpicoli

    EMazzSpicoli Well-Known Member

    182
    Jul 1, 2015
    I still like Towelie if he's now a sponger. His posts are hilarious and so is his forum name.

    Glad you got stoked breh.

    I'd use some duct tape on those fins lol
     
    EMazzSpicoli, Jul 4, 2015
    EMazzSpicoli, Jul 4, 2015

  5. Jul 4, 2015 #3
    Speed Bump

    Speed Bump Well-Known Member

    324
    Jun 3, 2014
    Skegs went the way of the dodo in the 80's brah. Can't air with skegs. Can't 360 with skegs. You have to put a lot of holes in the board to install skegs, and that ups your chance of shipping water.

    Pros? They seemed to make the board a little faster when I was a grom. Easier to hold an edge if you're a newb. I guess they might help prevent the ass-out slide; the bane of every sponger's existence.

    That's when you late drop a bomber, outrun the lip, bottom turn in the flats, try to line up the critical section, and the corner of the m-f-ing lip blasts you off your rail. Now you're f--king sideways with no rail and speed falling off. You can either give up and dive under or turn in, or keep skidding and hope for a miracle to put you back in trim. Happens about 25% of the time. The other 75% you get freight-trained by wave and the lip pounds you into the sand.
     
    Speed Bump, Jul 4, 2015
    Speed Bump, Jul 4, 2015
  6. Jul 4, 2015 #4
    Towelie

    Towelie Well-Known Member

    2,864
    Nov 27, 2014
    Yeah I was just trying to turn and ... Nothing, obviously. All I remember is this kid's deer in headlights face and his parent trying to get him out of the way. Everything in slo mo. It did turn a little in the end and I avoided collision but it got me thinking, thanks for the reply Speep Bump.

    EMazz - I do what I can. I'm still trying to figure out where to surf on this island, and time's running out. spoke with a few locals and it seems like I need to venture a few miles out of townships. Police said the same
     
    Towelie, Jul 4, 2015
    Towelie, Jul 4, 2015
  7. Jul 4, 2015 #5
    Slashdog

    Slashdog Well-Known Member

    1,113
    May 22, 2012
    I've never seen Ocean Beach break well; the lack of sandbars out there can boggle the mind.

    Your best bet is a water taxi, which, though pricey, will get you to something working. Ask the surf shop or a lifeguard who surfs where to take it. Aim for the hours around low tide.

    Speaking of which, the tides are pretty big right now, so at dead low something resembling a wave should appear. Water taxi or not, if you take a walk at sunrise tomorrow, you might find something, as the swell is peaking early.

    I was out there about a month ago. Walked 13 miles with my board... didn't end up surfing.
     
    Slashdog, Jul 4, 2015
    Slashdog, Jul 4, 2015
  8. Jul 4, 2015 #6
    Towelie

    Towelie Well-Known Member

    2,864
    Nov 27, 2014
    Thanks Slash, I'm gonna try to venture out east tomorrow morning. Depending, of course, on the severity of the hangover.
    A dude working at the local surf shop told me that cops won't bother me much if I'm a few streets east of the shops location. Incidentally, that's roughly the spot I was eyeballing from the beach.
    Meanwhile, off to cherry grove for margaritas and festivities.

    Happy 4th everyone!
     
    Towelie, Jul 4, 2015
    Towelie, Jul 4, 2015
  9. Jul 4, 2015 #7
    Towelie

    Towelie Well-Known Member

    2,864
    Nov 27, 2014
    K, so update - walked at high tide all the way to the dunes at the state park out east... Shore break... I'm fairly brought down in spirits where I don't even want to wake up early tomorrow to check the surf at low tide.

    I did follow Slash's advice and venture out east. 15 mins water taxi to cherry grove and the shoreline looks much better. Breaking, further out and looking promising. Less police presence too. Seems like further out eastward is where it's at. RM and west, I think, is compromised.

    Blown away by some of these houses tho.
     
    Towelie, Jul 4, 2015
    Towelie, Jul 4, 2015
  10. Jul 6, 2015 #8
    seldom seen

    seldom seen Well-Known Member

    13,085
    Aug 21, 2012
    Towelie, glad you hopped on a boog. Be careful, it may become more fun than you could imagine. As far as skegs, speedbump nailed it. Not necessary, plus the boog is all about rail, even dk and stand up boog. There are some dk fins out there, called vektors, but it's pretty much for 100% dk guys...Roach didn't need any, all the guys that rip on the knee up my way don't use 'em.

    All rail , man.

    Your wave count will double man, maybe triple.

    Waves that you'd be late on previously, could turn into tits rides. HAd one saturday that I was way too deep on. But set it up right, super angled take off, locked in the barrel for a solid several seconds. Sand up my ass, yeah, but small price to pay for that view:cool:

    I'm Ben, and I'm a barrel junky.
     
    seldom seen, Jul 6, 2015
    seldom seen, Jul 6, 2015
  11. Jul 6, 2015 #9
    Zeroevol

    Zeroevol Well-Known Member

    7,419
    Jun 22, 2009
    Never heard of Fire Island so I had to Google. Looks like on the right swell, it could be good. As far as the body boarding thing... you are now out of the club! Nah, just kidding!! Nothing wrong with it, especially if you have some sweet beach break or some where you can't surf. Have fun man and enjoy!
     
    Zeroevol, Jul 6, 2015
    Zeroevol, Jul 6, 2015
  12. Jul 6, 2015 #10
    Towelie

    Towelie Well-Known Member

    2,864
    Nov 27, 2014
    SS, that barrel sounds awesome! I didn't have enough time in the water on a boog yet nor do I have foot fins, so my rides were pretty straight forward... Tried to tuck the board further under myself, paddle and kick in, then kinda grab on with one hand, adjust and paddle once or twice more with the free hand. That typically resulted in a bit of a push forward and up on the lip.. Then a good look down and smack on the belly from the drop forward. Then white water cruising.
    I did manage to get it ...somewhat on a rail once or twice on take off - got spun like I was getting rolled up sideways hahaha strange stuff man.
    Gotta try to angle the board more down forward and get more speed next time.
    Do u guys wax the foam on top to reduce slipping or just hold on?

    ZERO, I didn't know I was in a club? Haha I think FI definitely breaks Somewhere! Just gotta look for it and look for it under the right conditions... Which is slightly complicated due to lack of vehicles on the island and summer weather

    Cheers guys!
     
    Towelie, Jul 6, 2015
    Towelie, Jul 6, 2015
  13. Jul 6, 2015 #11
    seldom seen

    seldom seen Well-Known Member

    13,085
    Aug 21, 2012
    F'n awesome Towelie...as far as the wax, yes sir, at minimum a little where your elbows sit, on the nose/corners, and a little by the belly.


    I prefer sticky bumps, goes on a sponge nice, but Gaffer's right, it's not the best tasting wax.
     
    seldom seen, Jul 6, 2015
    seldom seen, Jul 6, 2015
  14. Jul 6, 2015 #12
    Speed Bump

    Speed Bump Well-Known Member

    324
    Jun 3, 2014
    Wax the bottome to go faster. Duh.

    For serious, tho, like SS said. I belly wax to stick, rail wax to grip, and nose wax for those "OH S!!T" moments. It makes your deck look like bass after a few months, but oh well. Mrs. Palmers or Sticky bumps.

    If you really want to add boog to your quiver, here's the essential equip:

    Bicep leash. Heat up a screwdriver to punch the hole for the plug so you don't get water in the boog. Go in from the slick side. Wrist leashes r SCOTUS and ankle surf leashes will hogtie you.
    Fins. You're not gonna get much without 'em.

    Uh... that's pretty much it. I think you can sneak a boog bag on most airlines without paying xtra.
     
    Speed Bump, Jul 6, 2015
    Speed Bump, Jul 6, 2015
  15. Jul 6, 2015 #13
    Towelie

    Towelie Well-Known Member

    2,864
    Nov 27, 2014
    Nice! Thanks for the advice.

    I don't see why I WOULDNT have a boog in my quiver. Leash- wise I have a wrister so far, which already untied once, had to Fix it up real quick on shore. So it has a leash plug... Came like that.

    Any recommendations on fins? I'd like a pair that would instantly allow me to do air reverses, obviously. None of that beginner b.s. for me, please.

    Waxing the bottom as I type, will do the same to fins when I get a pair.... Of fins..
     
    Towelie, Jul 6, 2015
    Towelie, Jul 6, 2015
  16. Jul 6, 2015 #14
    Iggy

    Iggy Well-Known Member

    258
    Jun 14, 2014
    Fins are a must. Make sure you get a pair that is comfortable. If they are too tight you'll get foot cramps. Too loose and they'll fall off. Blisters can also be a big problem when wearing fins. I like Kicks. They have a comfortable foot pocket and rarely do I get blisters when wearing them. However, the thrust is just average compared to some of the others.
     
    Iggy, Jul 6, 2015
    Iggy, Jul 6, 2015
  17. Jul 6, 2015 #15
    frost

    frost Well-Known Member

    1,436
    Jul 31, 2014
    Take the boog out when(if) we ever get a tropical swell on the ec ... As much fun as I'm sure surfing is on big groundswells you'll dig the power being head on the water flying my latest addition to my bodyboard quiver View attachment 16048
     
    frost, Jul 6, 2015
    frost, Jul 6, 2015
  18. Jul 6, 2015 #16
    frost

    frost Well-Known Member

    1,436
    Jul 31, 2014
    Take the boog out when(if) we ever get a tropical swell on the ec ... As much fun as I'm sure surfing is on big groundswells you'll dig the power being head on the water flying my latest addition to my bodyboard quiver View attachment 16048
     
    frost, Jul 6, 2015
    frost, Jul 6, 2015
  19. Jul 7, 2015 #17
    JawnDoeski

    JawnDoeski Well-Known Member

    1,627
    Aug 11, 2014
    Get ERS4 fins...why you ax..cause there just like ol' Redleys
    Anybody who knows..knows Redleys are the best

    Hey frost I'd rather ride a 42" $50 sponge before those
     
    JawnDoeski, Jul 7, 2015
    JawnDoeski, Jul 7, 2015
  20. Jul 7, 2015 #18
    frost

    frost Well-Known Member

    1,436
    Jul 31, 2014
    why jawn don't like them?
     
    frost, Jul 7, 2015
    frost, Jul 7, 2015
  21. Jul 7, 2015 #19
    Zeroevol

    Zeroevol Well-Known Member

    7,419
    Jun 22, 2009
    I wanna get a beater board
     
    Zeroevol, Jul 7, 2015
    Zeroevol, Jul 7, 2015
  22. Jul 7, 2015 #20
    frost

    frost Well-Known Member

    1,436
    Jul 31, 2014
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2015
    frost, Jul 7, 2015
    frost, Jul 7, 2015
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