Sometimes referred to as boogie-boarding, bodyboarding is a watersport in which a surfer rides a bodyboard on the crest, face, and curl of a wave carrying the surfer to shore.

Bodyboarding traces its roots back to ancient Polynesian cultures, where riding waves on wooden boards was a common pastime. Indigenous Polynesians used alaia boards, usually made from Acacia koa wood and varied in length and shape. These boards were ridden prone, on the knees, or even standing up in rare instances.

The modern form of bodyboarding began in 1971 when Tom Morey, an engineer and surfer, invented the first modern bodyboard in Southern California. He crafted his board from a piece of polyethylene foam, creating a lightweight, flexible, and affordable wave-riding tool. Morey named his invention the "Morey Boogie," and it quickly gained popularity.

The first professional bodyboarding competition was held in 1979. Since then, the sport has grown to include several competitions and a dedicated following.

Various riding styles are associated with bodyboarding. The most common form is prone, in which the bodyboarder lies on his stomach. In this form, the rider uses his hands to steer and fins for propulsion and control. Another form is dropknee, in which the bodyboarder places one knee on the board, while the other foot is positioned forward, a position that allows for more maneuverability, such as performing sharp turns and spins. Less commonly, a bodyboarder might assume a standing position, a style that more closely resembles surfing, albeit on a bodyboard rather than a surfboard.

Bodyboards are shorter than surfboards, ranging from 33 to 46 inches in length. The board will consist of the core, which is made from foam materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or extruded polystyrene, for buoyancy and flexibility; the deck, which is the top surface of the board, usually covered with a soft foam layer for comfort and grip; the slick, the bottom surface, is designed to reduce drag and increase speed; the rails, which are the sides of the board, typically made from softer foam and used to help with control and maneuverability; and the channels, which are grooves on the bottom of the board that enhance grip and stability.

In bodyboard competitions, participants are judged by their wave selection (bigger is better), maneuvers (fluidity, speed, and power), the combination of moves (linking multiple maneuvers seamlessly), and wave length (the longest functional distance).

People sometimes disagree with the placement of bodyboarding into the category of an extreme sport. Because the sport has a shorter learning curve than surfing, it can seem less challenging. The smaller, softer boards can give the impression that bodyboarding is a more relaxed activity than surfing. Historically, bodyboarding has been seen as a younger sibling of surfing, which receives far more media attention than bodyboarding.

However, bodyboarding can be incredibly extreme and demanding when performed in challenging conditions such as large waves and shallow reef breaks. There is a risk of drowning, as well as collisions with other bodyboarders, surfers, rocks, or other obstacles. Getting caught in a rip current is a common danger, and shallow reefs and underwater hazards can cause serious injuries.

Bodyboarding combines the thrill of wave riding with the accessibility of a relatively simple piece of equipment, but there are dangers associated with the sport.

This portion of our guide focuses on bodyboarding. However, this is not the shopping area.

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