Bodysurfing

Bodysurfing involves riding the wave with no board at all. The body is used as the surface which will glide on top of the water. The main prerequisites for bodysurfing are to be a proficient swimmer and to have the ability to hold ones breath for long periods (at least 30 seconds, sometimes minutes or more). The rest comes down to gaining the correct skills, and then years of practice. As one improves larger waves are attempted (those which are breaking further out to sea), so being a proficient swimmer is a must.  A regular wave action is best (where the seas are not choppy or rough, and when there are a good 5-10 seconds between each individual wave). See Bodysufing inthe UK for more background.

• Bodysurfing overview from Wikipedia; technique, the wedge, conntests
• The Bodysurfing Page from rampaul.com- a well written personal view from his experiences in Hawaii; pictures, philosphy for competitions, the Tao of bodysurfing by Doug Hayman;
• Bodysurfing in the UK History, waves, prerequisites, safety, videos
• Video - a day without boards from U-Tube
• World Bodysurfing Championships the contest, articles of information, images

River Boarding

River Boarding is surfing on a river that has tidal bore waves such as the River Severn. Can be done with both a surfboard and a bodyboard.

• Riverboarding overview from Wikipedia; origins, equipment, use in rescue, rivers, records
• Riverboard your local river 3 basic types of using the flow of water in a river are described - Face Level, or motor cross on your belly, River Surfing on standing waves and Bungee tethered river boarding which is similar to skimboarding.
• Riverboarding Video from Daily motion
• Riding the Severn Bore SW England

Skim surfing

Skim surfing - rides the waves breaking on the shore. The skimboard can come in various shapes from a round circle to bullet shaped and are made from fiberglass or carbon fiber and high density foam.

• Skim surf video se the sport in action
• Skimboarding overview from Wikipedia; technique, the board, styles, dangers ...
• Skimboarding tips and Tricks from skimboarding.com; sequence shots of tricks.

Weather, tides and the waves

• Metocean (meteorological and oceanographic) Glossary In English and French
• Sea Web A project designed to raise awareness of the world ocean and the life within it. The ocean plays a critical role in our everyday life and in the future of our planet. We believe that as more people understand this and begin to appreciate the earth as a water planet, they will take actions to conserve the ocean and the web of life it supports.
• Chartroom An extensive collection of links to buoys, wave models, weather models, satellite imagery and surf related sites
• Waves From World Wave Pictures. The first all Surf Netcasting Site. Updated weekly with surf videos and photos from around the World.
• Surfrider Foundation A non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the oceans, waves and beaches(American Based)
• Surfers Against Sewage Campaign for cleaner waters(UK based)
• Big Waves from extremehorizon.com. "Waves are not measured in feet and inches, they are measured in increments of fear"

Surfboarding

Surfboarding is done standing on a longer board, which has a "skeg" or stabilising fin at the rear; Shortboarding 5-7 foot, tricks: cutbacks, getting tubed, airs off the lip; Funboard 7-8, tricks similar to shortboard. Longboard 8-14 foot, tricks: nose-riding, hanging 5, hanging 10, getting tubed, helicopters

Kneeboarding

Kneeboarding Done on a board around 4 feet in length while kneeling on both knees; the technique has some advantages over bodyboarding for some manoeuvres like riding the "tube"

Wax and Surfboards

Natural (beeswax) and synthetic waxes, often scented, are used on the deck of a bodyboard or surfboard, to provide friction and stop you from slipping off your board when paddling out or riding a wave. Choice depends on water temperature.

• Surf Wax From Surfing-Waves; what it is and how to look after it

Bodyboarding

Bodyboarding: The board is usually in the 38-44 inch range and is made of foam, typically with a slick, 'surlyn' bottom of some sort and shaped to a hydrodynamic form. Riders ride prone (on their stomachs) or drop-knee (on one knee). Riders typically wear fins to propel them better for catching waves. Bodyboarding is geared towards more radical manoeuvres including aerials off the top of the wave - el rollo, 360, ARS, backflip, cutbacks, getting tubed, inverts, airs.

Safety and Injuries

• Dangerous Surf conditions. Brief summary of dangerous surf conditions such as Rip currents, longshore currents, shore breaks and backwashes.
• Rip Currents from Kauaiexplorer.com -what they are and how to deal with them
• International Life Saving Federation - the world authority in the global effort to prevent drowning and regroups national life saving organisations aiming at improving water safety, water rescue, lifesaving and lifeguarding and lifesaving sport

Professional Surfing

Developed from tournaments in the mid 70's, a tour of professional surfers evolved into the World Championship Tour, with over 60 internationally rated events being held in prime surfing sites. Two tiers of rating were introduced with the Top 44 taking part in the elite events. More information from the ASP official site

• ASP World Tour Official Site
• ASP World Tour overview from Wikipedia; history, records, Men's World Tour, Longboard World Tour, Women's World Tour
• ASP World Tour news and information From Boardfolio.com - 'The surfers Directory'
• Pro Surfing Men and Women's Professional Surfing, suf contest news, results, videos
• ProSsurfing Communuty News, surfers, Forum
• The pro surfers and rankings
• UK pro Surf Tour UKPSA The organisation, surfers, the UK Tour map, events and results
• World Pro Surfers Interviews, news, the surfers, The Tour.

Professional Surfing in Europe

• ASP Europe Professional surfing's governing body offers details on regional European contests and longboard news.

Surfing Safety in the United Kingdom

Surfing Organisational bodies in the United Kingdom

• British Surfing Association BSA; surf schols, coaching, competions

Surfing Competitions in the United Kingdom

Surfing Venues in the United Kingdom

• Coldwatersoul Coldwatersoul is not a guide but more a glimpse and celebration of the waves and culture of surfing around the English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish coastlines. Every section uses photos and text to give you a feel for the area plus display links in relation to their geographical location
• Coldswell For UK and Ireland - everything you need for surfing the UK and Ireland coastlines. Find your perfect wave this week. Check out the weather charts, surf reports and surf cams and catch a wave for us
• UK Surf Spot Database A resource for UK surfers to find the best waves for the days conditions.

Surfing Ezines in the United Kingdom

• A1Surf UK ezine

Play/Watch Surfing in England

• Cornwall Surfing f rom BBC Cornwall; beach guide, news, surf conditions, events, galleries
• Newquay uncovered Ezine for Newquay, the UK surf capital. Bringing you all the latest news, reviews and stories. Bringing the surfing community closer with pictures, chat and messages. Also get Newquay Uncovered on your mobile!
• Surf Newquay Find information on Newquay and surrounding area, surfer or not; Surf Newquay Forum
• Surf and Surfing Images From Cornwall Photo Gallery
• Visit Newquay.TV user submitted videos of surfing in Cornwall, UK

Surfing Ezines in Canada

• Northern Swell Canada's Surf Magazine

The History of Surfing in the USA

• Californian Surfing Museum
• Santa Cruz Surfing Museum If you are in the Santa Cruz area and want to check out some history then the museum could be worth a visit

Surfing Organisational bodies in the USA

• Surfing America The National Governing Body for surfing in the USA on behalf of the International Surfing Association; USA surf team, calendar etc
• SIMA Surf Industry Manufacturers Association

Surfing Events in the USA

• Bodyboarding for a Cause! A charity event run by East Coast Bodyboarding based in New Jersey.

Surfing Venues in the USA

• La Jolla surfing information on all aspects of surfing
• Surf Guide Hawaii With break descriptions, pictures, and tips for the various surf spots ; beginners guide
• Kauai Explorer Ocean Report; Surf trends, with the seasons and other useful resources.

Surfing Ezines in the USA

• SurferMag California based Surfer Magazine Online
• Makai hawaii. "Hawaii's Ocean Lifestyle Magazine" featuring everything in & around the ocean from surfing, paddling, diving, fishing, swimming, etc.. links to local resources and archive contents of oast magazines
• TransWorld Surf Online e-zine focussing on San Diego, but with some global coverage

Surfing Organisational bodies in Australia

• Surfing Australia Australia's only official surfing website
• Dee Why Surfing Fraternity Australia's Oldest Surfboard Riders Club, Established in 1961, DYSF is an important part of Australia's Surfing History.

Surfing Venues in Australia

• Dee Why Point Sidney North

Surfing Portals in Australia

• SurfInfo The surfing shops etc

Surfing Ezines in Australia

• Real Surf Daily Surf Report , news and views, surf cams, image gallery...
• Tracks Magazine Online surf magazine with Australia focus

What is Surfing in New Zealand

• Surfing Sport in New Zealand from Surf Life Saving New Zealand. Events, Calendar, Results, High Performance newsletters

Surfing Organisational bodies in New Zealand

• Surf Life Saving New Zealand -the leading water safety organisation in New Zealand.

Surfing News in New Zealand

• Wind Surf New Zealand News; Surf cams

Surfing Ezines in New Zealand

• New Zealand Surf Wide coverage of the sport especially the events; web cams, weather, knee boarding, body boarding etc; Bulletin board, Virtual tours ; learn to surf - online help, NZ surf clubs , with links.

Surfing Portals in Ecuador

• Surfboardingecuador.com (In Spanish) Todo sobre el surf en Ecuador, noticias, fotos, videos, forecast.