Your questions answered about Body surfing, Hanplanes & everything else 

  Hand board and handplanes? Why do I need one?
  Ive heard them called handguns hand planes etc, why do you call yours handboards? whats the difference?
  Where can I hand board/body surf ?
  What materials do you use and how are your boards made?
  What made us start Slyde?
  How do I Buy Slyde gear?
  Do you need swim fins when you bodysurf/handboard ?
  What is Bodysurfing?
  What other forms of bodysurfing are there?
  Who Bodysurfs?
  Your Handboards seem quiet big, why?

If you have any questions you would like answered email me Send E-Mail

Handboards and Handplanes ? why do I need one?

Slyde Ryder Paul watts shredding a perfect wave in Santa Monica The simple answer is you don't need one to Body surf But you probably also don't need to have many thing you currently own. The honest truth is Body surfing with a handboard or handplane  is simply way more fun than body surfing without. In our opinion anyway. The added use of a hand board or hand plane as they are commonly referred to allows the body surfer exactly what they want. More speed and lift out of the water. 

It is not uncommon in fact... more than likely you will to get enough speed to round a section of a wave or to get barreled for longer and deeper, just take a look at some of our slyde rider pictures or check out the slyde handboards videos or home page for images and videos that show how great the boards are in waves . Not only does the handplane increase speed but also> allows for more control on the face of the wave. giving you more maneuverability while you are body surfing. you see, you don't need one but it makes your experience in the water that much more enjoyable and why wouldn't you want that? it like we say around here

"life is better with a handboard!!"

I've heard them called Handguns Hand planes etc; why do you call yours handboards? and, whats the difference?

• Hand planes (California and east coast)
• Handboards (South Africa ,Australia)
• Body surfing boards 
• Handgun (Hawaii)
• Hand Slide (South Africa)
• Hand Lid (Australia)

Slyde Handboard Woody epoxy wood veneerIt seems Hand plane is the overall favorite, however  it seems to depends on where you come from that dictates what you grew up calling your board. As you can see above the names of the boards vary from country and even region to region. To be quiet blunt, there is not not a whole lot of difference between the boards and they all serve the same purpose, To have fun and get you barreled!

We here at Slyde are not particularly fond of the Name handplane or handplanes. Which is why I like to use the name Handboards, Not that there is anything wrong with the name Hand plane. In fact if I had it my way I would call them Bodysurfing Handgunswhich is what we used to call anything you used as a board for body surfing when I was a kid. Take a guess why we don't use that name  

In-fact our Fed ex guy Timo: a super cool Samoan/American man mountain, walked into our Garage space and immediately inquired about the sweet handguns. So apparently as he grew up in Hawaii that's what they call them there. There are no hard fast rules. I think we will stick with Handboards >here at Slyde. I like the reference to board in it,  it reminds me of surfboards and to me the word board is intrinsically intertwined in water sports. It also occurred to me that a lot of the original boards where, and a-lot Still are, made from wood this may have somthing to do with the name Handplane. However that is my inner monologue discussion and pure conjecture  

One thing is for sure body surfing came first and who knows what would have happened to surfing if the Polynesians hadn't taken to waves on their stomach.

Where can I Handboard, Handplane / body surf?

 There are literally thousands of places you can bodysurf or Handboard / Handplaneprobably even more than you can surf , too many to mention here. As a bodysurfer / Handboarder you can ride waves that cannot be ridden as a stand up surfboard and have great time doing it. I personally love to take my Hand board out when I'm surfed out to change it up or, when I feel like there is a good possibility I might end up breaking my board due to dumpy shore break conditions. Below are few places we have either visited or know of that can get great conditions body surfing. for more information on competitions and world events 

Costa Azul, Mainland Mexico

The Bad: A little hard to Find way ot there 

The Good:  No crowds and great point break

30 miles north of Puerto Vallarta this is a small corner point break in front of the hotel that gets an amazing amount of swell and gets really big but very fun. Be prepared to get washed about a little bit and always remember to take you Bodysurfing Fins out with you here it has a strong back wash/current

Makena Big Beach, Maui

The Bad: A little crowded and very shallow and pitchy

The Good: Pitchy dumping shore break

Don't let the idyllic setting of crystal clear water and white powder sand fool you ! This wave can cause harm. But if you are experienced in the water it's one of the best places in the world to body surf. As you'd expect from Hawaii the water is perfect and the wave is very powerful. I was dumped onto the sand more than a few times, that's where the danger lies. There are signs as you come onto the beach warning of broken necks "beware"! this spot is not for the faint of heart when it is firing. A good rule of thumb: If you see the locals down there stay out.

Snake Park, Durban, South Africa

The Bad: Can get a little crowded a at times

The Good: Great little corner off the pier on the right tide perfect for bodysurfer

A beach right in front of a city. The bad: it can get a little crowded. The good: it easy to get to and when it is firing it is firing. Also when it is firing most of the locals are surfing so you can get the little inside section that picks up over the sandbar and fires again into a perfect little barrel too quick for body surfing without a Handboard and fins . it would not be fair to say there are all sorts of little spots along the east and west coast of south Africa. Too many to name here but nothing a little surf trip won't fix.

Lagundri Bay, Nias Island, Sumatra

The Bad: Very hard and dangerous to get to and no medical help when more than likley you will need it when you bounce off the reef

The Good:Perfect Idylic surf trip, Indonesian hospitality and arguably the worlds best right hander in the world

This is hands down one of the best places I have ever surfed and bodysurfed/handplaned. Again not for the faint of heart! this little Indian ocean gem Is a world class right hander among the land of lefts. If you can stomach the 2 day overland/sea journey to get to Nias or you can try the quicker journey, but 100% more live threatening by air. Think! a plane held together with duct tape, you will start to get the idea. I made the trip in mid 2003 so things may have changed ,but I doubt it.

There is civil war to the north in Ache and a not very well put together transport system to make getting there an absolute nightmare. Now! saying all this, once you are finally there it is a magical place to visit. There are very few places in the world with kind of untouched beauty. So barring the very real threat of dengue fever, drowning, rogue waves ;(think the 2004 tsunami that wiped part of this small island out) and very many more unforeseen (or seen) dangers.

Nias Island is without doubt one of the best surf trips you are ever likely to do. Nias is a Mecca trip for any serious waterman. Perfect spitting barrels crystal clear water and yes you guessed it completely un-crowded or atleast as of 2003 it was. That's what you get from travelling through hell to get there. perfect untouched reef this place is what surf wet dreams are made of. My brother and me got 20 straight days of overhead perfection some days we were so surfed out all we could do was sit in our hammocks and watch. Body surfing without a board here is ill advised. In order to get out to the break proper you have to make you way over the reef and a perfect timed jump into the ocean between sets, through what the locals call the " keyhole" miss queue your jump you land on the reef! Once you are out there its one wave after the other take your pick. Getting back in to dry land is of course another story all together , be it surfing or Handboarding / handplaning . It's cheap and beautiful but like I said running the gauntlet has its perils, But we think its worth it!

Perfect and idyllic are great ways to descroibe this bodysurfers wonderland

What materials do you use? and how are your Handboards made?

We use the very finest materials in our manufacturing our Handboards/handplanes because, we pride our selves on our quality and will never use inferior raw materials. Our fiberglass and epoxy and wood veneers are the finest in the industry. We have a line of Made in America handboards that we use recyled Eps Foam from Marko foam and Entropy Bio Resin

Our exclusive CSC technology sandwiches the foam core of our handboards / handplanes in a 3mm coating of fiber glass cloth . This sandwich technology enhances toughness and strengh by 30% as well as reduces weight by approximately 30% . Our vacuum seal process creates a full and completely seamless cover over the whole-board which eliminates weak spots on the rails and deack and bottom found in many other sandwich boards.  Find out more visit our Slyde Shapers to learn more about our talented team  and visit our handplane materials page to learn more about the materials we use to craft our handboards 

What made us start Slyde?

There are a few reasons for wanting to start my own company. Going back a bit, It has been dream of mine since before I can remember . I was always the kid in junior/ middle school back in the late 80's early 90's attempting to draw the famous Santa Cruz hand or, doodling away with some surf brand I was obsessed with at the time. This mind you while I was supposed to be paying attention in math class. It wasn't until in the mid 90's that I started to play around with shaping, de-laminating my first surfboard to try reshape and re-glass and shaping little boards for Handboards/ handplane from off cut foam . Delaminating the board didn't quiet work as planned. However, it was the very beginning of Slyde Handboards as you see it today.

During my summer holidays I would spend all our time down at the beach surfing or Body surfing. While Body surfing the shore break generally making a nuisance of ourselves down on the Durban Beach front, I decided there had to be a better alternative to stealing fast food trays to use as Handboards/handplanes for our bodysurfing.

I think one of the very main reason for wanting to take Slyde Handboards to the next level, is I wanted to create a brand exclusively for Bodysurfing / Handboarding , At the time was not a central brand choice that anybody could get involved in, Wear the gear, ride the board etc, like there is in the surf Industry with brands like Rip curl, Quicksilver. Handplanes /Handboards are becoming more and more popular as a fun alternative. At SLyde we had a vision to grow that brand to grow and get more people involved in bodysurfing. I am a surfer and a waterman I love to do all sorts of water activities, where there is a wave I have to ride it! riding with a Handboard / handplane makes it just that much more fun for me . The wave that is too quick, too steep for a regular stand up surfboard just makes sense riding with a handboard and why not add it to your quiver of boards.

How do I buy Slyde Handboards gear ?

The best place to check for your closest retailer is right here at the find a slyde Dealer. We are constantly adding shops as we get into them. However, if you don't have any luck with your local retailer the next best thing to do is  check out the range of boards right here on the slyde Handboards website and our shop. If you need any help in decision making. We are always here to help and assist you in making the correct choice when deciding on a new handboard.

We can be reached at either
steve@slydehandboards.com or by calling
650 3075933

 

Do you need swim fins when you bodysurf/handboard ?

Good question! You really don't need fins when you Bodysurf or Handboard. You can watch the boys in Oahu below shredding it up ad having great time in the video below, they are not using fins and seem to be doing pretty well. Saying that, using swim fins enhances your Body surfing ride and in my opinion almost double my speed down the line. I very rarely don't use them when I head down for a session. Also it is a lot safer to use bodysurfing fins, when you get caught in a rip Current you will have a far greater chance of getting yourself to saftey of the shore with a pair of swim fins on. In short: The answer to this question is: It's really up to your own personal preference, however my believe is if you can enhance you Slyde Ryde why wouldn't you wear you favorite swim fins. To get list of our choice of best swim fins and an unbiased point of view, visit our choosing the best body surfing fins

What is Bodysurfing?

Find out all you need to know about body surfing at our Bodysurfing clinic for beginners bodysurfing 101

Bodysurfing is the art and sport of riding a wave without the assistance of any buoyant device such as a surfboard or bodyboard or handboard or Handplane for that matter. Bodysurfers typically equip themselves only with a pair of specialized Bodysurfing swimfins that remain on throughout turbulent waves and also maximize propulsion . Nevertheless you don't require fins to body surf .

To ride the wave , bodysurfers should time their kick off , choose a direction , kick and stroke really hard with legs and arms, and then use their back and outstretched arm , to get on the wave heading to the side while going downward. spins and turns is generally executed by digging the shoulder into the wave , resulting in the bodysurfer to "slyde" to the side of the wave and then to speed up . Leaving the wave is fundamental safety , In shallow water the most effective maneuver is roll on to your side out of the wave allowing the feet tumble forwards . In more powerful waves the body surfer should drop the noggin and then apply an extremely speedy tumble forwards to exit the wave , tossing the legs over as quickly as possible . This needs to be done with little to no hesitation, to avoid injury. Advanced techniques include spins and barrel rolls and quick exits

to learn more check out bodysurf 101 It is also a good idea before you go out to practise and train with breathing to reduce the risk of serious injury find out more in this detailed article about how to train and techniques to holding your breeath for longer

What other forms of Bodysurfing are there?

There are few other forms of bodysurfing and one of the most popular is called Dolphining

"Dolphining" probably one of most enjoyable sports to perform in the water. it is as soul surfer as you are sure to get. This Particular style Bodysurfing is precisely how the Dolphins Bodysurf hence the reason for the term "Dolphining" . It is possible to use a Handplane/Handboard while using this technique. That is why we gave you board bag! So you could put your stick in the car while you dolphin your day away.

Here is how to perform the "Dolphin Pop" or "Porpoising".

Unlike regular body surfing, which entails the bodysurfer slydeing with gravity down the face of the wave, Porpoising or Dolphining makes use of the exact same wave power and energy as a dolphin or seal makes use of as they cruise inside wave's energy pulse.

How to accomplish the Dolphing method

1. The bodysurfer begins a meter or 2 more out to sea compared to they would for a 'standard' bodysurfing method .
2. As the wave flows over , the bodysurfer dives into the 'back' of the wave and delivers a rapid kick ( with fins ) or alternatively solitary crawl-stroke
3. Now you tuck the entire body into a 'dolphin shape' you do this by

• Tucking the chin to the torso
• Hunching the shoulders
• Bringing the palms into the inside thighs
• Stiffening the entire body and making a concave 'air bubble' in the chest

By flexing in the forward direction, the bodysurfer keeps a constant l3evel depth - too deep and you will crash into the beach, which will be very painful and also dangerous.  If you are too high or too shallow in the wave and you will come out the back or the top of the wave.  As soon as you are 'grabbed' by the wave's power and energy you need to be keep stiff, but as still as possible. Try not to kick or use your arms too much the wave will do most of the work. The hydrodynamic powers, which make the method achievable, are going to take over and the wave will roll you forward.  Done right , the wave power will take over and pull the bodysurfer along at an ever accelerated pace this will enable the bodysurfer that has the expertise to both travel out through the face of the wave and also somersault back underneath the wave or, even appear ahead of the white water and bodysurf to the shore . To learn more about How to Body surf Visit our Beginners Guide to Bodysurfing Here

body surfer taking advantage of dolphing image courtesy of Tim Mckenna

Who Bodysurfs?

Everyone should bodysurf! The great thing about bodysurfing Handboarding/handplaning is it is a great way to get into and learn  surfing and the ocean. With Body surfing you are able to learn the ability to judge the ocean, the waves, all the skills you need to be able to surf well. It is of our opinion that you can't really call yourself a true water man if you haven't body surfed. But don't just take it from us, Hell what do we know!  If you dont believe us maybe you will listen to two of the greatest surfers ever!

Kelly Slater
"With Body Surfing you don't take anything for granted! You ride the wave as far as you can, you don't kick out because the barrel stopped. You realize how much room there is out there, even with all the people."

 Laird Hamilton
"We as a species are connected to the ocean all living thing come from the ocean Body Surfing is a chance to get back to your roots, It's the ability to feel the energy."

Your Handboards seem quiet big, why?

This Question comes courtesy of Wayne Finucane from Bondi Beach in Austrlia:

A question about the shape/size if you don't mind: "It seems rather large to swim with. Is the design intention to throw the board behind you (with arm strap attached) and then swim out the back towing the handboard / handplane? I just can't see how you can swim with such a large board in your hand, and on top of that it has a bit of buoyancy which must be hard to paddle under water with".

The Answer:

I get asked the size question quiet a lot, To be Honest the first time I shaped the wedge handboard that size, I too thought it was going to be a bit cumbersome in the surf. However, the previous shapes had ,to me , lacked the buoyancy and size I was looking for. The first iterations I found to be a little under gunned when it came to keeping my 190 lbs frame out the water, especially in the slightly smaller waves, or at the end of a wave. What I found the minute I hit the water with it was it was really easy to swim with! We have a great video where you can see my brother swimming over to get in position this is a great video of rider paddling to pull into a wave it is also a great example of swimming with the Wedge Handboard albeit it a short clip but you get the idea.

As far as the second question  the intention is to swim with the handboard out infront of you. The size and bouyancy of the board aid with the paddle out, It does not hinder it. Infact The size also helps when you are out at backline waiting for waves. I use the board to sit on not much unlike you would sit on a full sized surfboard. helps conserve energy inistead of expending it while treading water. Learn more about how to body surf here 

here are smaller boards out there and we will be bringing out different shapes in the coming seasons both smaller and possibly even a little bigger ie the New Phish Model . For the most part my answer to the size question is

"just give it a go".

I have been Bodysurfing since i was kid and as far as I am concerned its the best shape and sized hand board I have used. As far as using it underwater if you enjoy Dolphining while bodysurfing, it was not designed with that in mind. The Wedge handboards it iswas develpoed more for use in a quick pitching wave, a wave you kick into it really quickly on top of the surface. However it works great on keeping an even line when you are under check out this video  to see it being used underwater in a pool however, you get the idea. the bouancy actually works to keep you in a staight line.