AT DECATHLON, WE DESIGN SKIMBOARD PRODUCTS TO SUIT EVERY LEVEL: BEGINNER, ADVANCED OR EXPERT.
- Beginner: Rides his skimboard on a thin film of water and glides straight ahead.
- Confirmed: Rides his skimboard with speed and does tricks flat or on the foam: 360, varial...
- Expert: Rides his skimboard with speed to the wave and does tricks and/or rides the wave back to the beach.
CONDITIONS OF USE
This bodyboard is designed for both flat water tricks and learning to glide to the wave: Beginner to advanced level.
Avoid very windy conditions.
Avoid pebbles and rocks on the beach.
PRECAUTIONS FOR USE.
Beware, falls are common in skimboarding. Warm up your wrists and ankles before practicing. Wax the top of the board to prevent slipping.
Launch the board in a flat, clear area (watch out for bathers).
DIMENSIONS / WEIGHT
134cm x 51 cm x 3.5cm / 2.3 kg
HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR SKIMBOARD
This skimboard is designed for experienced boarders between 1m60 and 1m80 in height, weighing between 55kg and 75kg. Thanks to its complex foam/stiffener/fiberglass construction, this skimboard offers optimum glide, enabling you to progress in all types of conditions.
If you'd like to glide further, we recommend the skimboard 900.
OPERATING TIPS (ON THE FLAT - Beginner level). PART 1.
1) The throw: Practice throwing your board as straight as possible, over a thin film of water.
2) The run: Start running with the board in hand, throw your board and then sprint to get on it. Your last steps should be as quick as possible.
OPERATING TIPS (ON THE FLAT - Beginner level). PART 2.
3) The ascent: Climb onto your board as lightly as possible. Your feet should be positioned on the central axis of the board. These key points will give you the best possible glide.
4) The glide: Make sure your knees are bent to lower your center of gravity, as this will make you more stable to glide as far as possible.
ADVICE FOR USE (PROGRAMME VAGUE - Advanced level). 1- Choosing your spotlight
Look for the beach offering you the best conditions.
It's advisable to have a good slope of sand, with waves that dig in and break at the edge of the beach. The closer the wave breaks to the shore, the less speed you'll need to reach it, making it easier to ride back. The tide can influence the quality of the conditions, so pay attention to it.
Avoid pebble/rock beaches, which are dangerous for you and your board.
TIPS FOR USE (PROGRAMME VAGUE - Confirmed level). 2- Departure
Before you launch yourself towards the wave of your choice, it's essential to observe how it behaves.
Timing is a key element in skimboarding: it's about defining the right moment to launch yourself in order to reach the wave and turn on it at the right moment, just before it breaks.
Mentally anticipate each step: Run, launch, climb, glide and then turn on the wave.
When you're ready, follow the advice that follows.
ADVICE FOR USE (PROGRAMME VAGUE - Confirmed level). 3- "Fast" ascent
The idea is to maintain as much speed as possible when climbing onto the skimboard, taking as few steps as possible.
To do this, practice in slow motion on dry sand: I walk, throw my board on the ground and, keeping my stride, put one foot then the other on the skimboard.
Repeat the exercise until you can sprint. The stroke should be progressive, so that your last steps are as quick as possible. It's not an easy exercise, but it will be very useful later on.
ADVICE FOR USE (PROGRAMME VAGUE - Confirmed level). 4- Gliding
For a good glide, the ascent must be light and fluid, with the feet well positioned on the central axis of the board.
Choose the right moment to land your board: the thinner the film of water, the easier it will be and the more the skim will glide.
There are a number of techniques you can use to maintain your speed:
- "Pumping": up-and-down movement of the front foot, as if you were tapping in rhythm
- "Off-axis": putting the board parallel to the wave during the gliding phase.
OPERATING TIPS (VAGUE PROGRAM - Advanced level). 5- The primer
When you get close to the wave, bend your knees and try to put your hand in the water on the side where you want to turn. This will allow you to pull the rail (the edge of the board) into the water and thus engage your half-turn on the wave.
TIPS FOR USE (WAVE PROGRAM - Advanced level). 6- Rollerblading on the wave
This is the half-turn on the wave that allows you to return to the shore.
Once you've started the turn, push on your legs by unbuckling them (especially the back leg) and point your gaze towards the beach.
As soon as your board is pointing towards the beach, lower your center of gravity to gain stability.
The turn will be easier to work on if you arrive parallel to the wave. Once you've mastered it, you'll be ready to take on the waves and have fun in as many conditions as possible!
