As a surf instructor, I know the thrill of riding waves and the joy that comes from sharing that experience with students. Yet it wasn’t until recently that I fully grasped the importance of bodysurfing for surf instructors. I am a former surf instructor and Red Cross lifeguard and NOLS-certified Wilderness First Responder. I’ve taught surfing for a variety of…

Bodysurfing can be a life-saving tool if you know how to use it properly. I believe bodysurfers, using their unique skillsets, are perfectly suited to assist any beachgoer in need of rescuing. Ideally, bodysurfing should be a prerequisite skill for any ocean bather, swimmer, surfer, or lifeguard. Bodysurfing teaches us how to identify strong rip currents and stay calm while…

I recently took a surf trip to a distant part of the tropical country where I live. The goal of any surf trip is always the same: to score perfect waves. Yet true to the sport, when we got to the surf break it wasn’t exactly what we imagined. As a matter of fact, it was a lot better! Huge…