How do i skimboard enough to catch a wave to bank off?

Question

im going in at the right time (after the white stuff breaks and its heading towards you) but after going in i start to sink. maybe its because the beach im going to (newport) isnt meant for skimboarding although the waves are nice and flat. any tips? maybe im not pumping? will pumping work if the water is too deep i'd say 2 feet?

also can you skim without going to the beach because i dont live near the beach so i cant go everyday maybe use a slip and slide any advice?

Answer 1

well unless there is pretty distinct shorebreak your not gonna get too far but give this a shot. wait until the water starts running back toward the ocean, run, drop your board, get on and when you hit that first little roller wave, shift your weight up almost like your jumping and once you are over the first wave, start pumping like nuts and you could make it out there. you can skim lakes, puddles, oh and i have tried slip n slides but dont do it unless you have really good balance or you will eat ****.

Answer 2

you should wait until the white wash recedes or goes back into the ocean...start running when the water starts to go back then when you reach the next wave just prepare yourself for the force of the wave...im a sand skimmer but i see people do this all the time...veterans and pros

Answer 3

you either don't have enough speed or the waves are breaking too far out...pumping is not going to help you out, it will only slow you down.  go watch a skim video on youtube and you'll see a lot of skimmers shift their hips so that they're riding sideways across the deeper water and then shift back right before they hit the waves, not easy to do but once you get the hang of it it will help you tremendously....less board sliding across the water = more speed, it's easier to see than for me to explain it to you