If you find yourself near an ocean or a large body of water (here’s lookin’ at you, Great Lakes!), and big waves are in the forecast, the sight of surfboards and their owners bobbing in the water is almost guaranteed. Surfing is sexy – everyone that can stand gracefully on a floating balance beam while being propelled by a wall of water looks good doing it. While surfing has seemingly always been popular along coastal communities, the sport is taking off near freshwater locales as well.
I’ve tried cold-water surfing near my home on frigid Lake Superior approximately 5 times and let me tell you – it is difficult. The only time I managed to remain standing on a wave (really more of a current at that point), I turned to see if my husband was watching me and promptly beached my board which flung me head-first into the sand. If you can stomach the rigor and embarrassment of learning to surf, I applaud you and wish you the best! But if you want an easier way to enjoy the waves, I have a sport for you.
Boogie boarding is the unsexy cousin of surfing often associated with small children or tourists. But if you can get past the optics (and past the first 50 feet of the beach), you would be surprised at how enjoyable it can be. Boogie boards are essentially oversized kickboards (think back to early swim lessons with those foam boards that helped you stay afloat). The end goal is the same as surfing: to ride down the face of a wave slightly before or as it’s breaking. When a wave approaches, face the beach, put your torso on the board and kick as hard as you can. If you catch the wave at the right moment, you will fly down the mound of water with your board easily skimming the surface and a grin as wide as that of the Cheshire Cat (see photo below). Since the only mechanics you have to worry about are timing your kicks with the wave break, boogie boarding is significantly easier than surfing.
The other advantage of boogie boarding is the accessibility – there’s a reason tourists and children take to it so readily! Boogie boards typically run at a fraction of the cost of a surfboard and most big box stores sell them for somewhere between $20 to $30 (pro tip: make sure your board comes with a leash). Some advanced boogie boarders will also use flippers to thrust themselves through the water faster, although I only find those necessary in deep water or overly tall waves.
The next time you’re around a beach on a windy day and the surf-jealousy kicks in, do yourself a favor and try boogie boarding. It’s an entertaining way to enjoy what would otherwise be classified as a poor beach day. Embrace your inner child (or tourist), stay clear of the surfers, and go catch those waves!