Scoring some ‘Horizontal Fun’ (and test a new handplane) even when it’s nearly flat.
It’s common on those “almost flat” days – most surfers might take one look at the ocean and decide it’s a lay day. But for bodysurfers, and perhaps a few keen longboarders, there’s often still plenty of fun to be had, even when the waves are barely knee-high.
What really sets bodysurfing apart in these conditions is you can often squeeze into the smallest of “micro barrels” and find little pockets of froth where other surf craft simply can’t go. It’s about making the most of what the ocean offers, no matter how small.
I recently had one of those classic small-wave days and decided to put together a new YouTube video from the content I captured (you can check it out above!). It really shows how you can find stoke in any conditions when horizontal.
This session wasn’t just about enjoying the small waves, though. It was also a perfect opportunity to test out a Handy Bodysurfing handplane I’ve been working on – a shape I’ve called the “Wish Me Luck.”
The “Wish Me Luck” is designed with these kinds of days in mind, aiming to help you get that little bit of extra lift and glide to make the most of smaller, softer waves. The name itself is a bit of a nod to those times when you’re hoping for just enough push from a wave to get a good slide. For this test, I was keen to see how it handled, how it helped with wave entry, and overall, if it amplified that feeling of “horizontal fun.”
I’ve got to say, I was pretty stoked with how it went. The handplane definitely made a difference in picking up speed and maintaining momentum on waves that otherwise might have just passed by. It allowed for a bit more control and made those little waves more makeable.
It’s sessions like these, messing about with new shapes and finding stoke in conditions many would overlook, that really fuel my froth for bodysurfing and shaping.
Have a look at the video to see the “Wish Me Luck” handplane in action on this fun, small day.
