How Does a Skimboard Work?
Dimensions
A skimboard is a small, flat board that is used to ride small waves from the beach. It's much smaller than a surfboard and often has a pointed tip to assist in buoyancy. The back of the board usually has some sort of rounded or pointed tip, depending on the type of board and who made it. Thickness varies from 3/4-inch to 5/8-inch, and most boards have a little bit of a lift in the nose so the board doesn't lay completely flat when it's sitting on a surface. If a board has a lift throughout the board, it's meant to be ridden on bigger waves as well--this type is called a constant rocker. Skimboards are usually made of fiberglass with high density foam inside and then coated in resin to stiffen. The ideal board height is one that comes up to mid-chest level.
The Scientific Process
Skimboards are meant to use on small waves that are in the process of breaking on the shore. Some boards that have more of a rocker lift can be ridden on larger waves because they float a little better. Because these boards aren't designed to float well, the scientific process that makes skimboarding possible is hydroplaning. Hydroplaning happens when an object skims and thus floats along the surface of any body of water because it is moving at a fast enough speed. If this speed is not obtained, the object will sink. When using a skimboard, the individual must run up to the wave to obtain this speed and slide into the wave to retain flotation.
Ride
The way to ride a skimboard is different than other similar water sports. A person will wait for waves on the shore, a good distance from the water. When a wave comes, he will run quickly towards the wave and drop the board onto the wet sand shortly in front of the water. After dropping the skimboard, he will run and hop onto the board and try to keep balance. The board will slide towards the wave and float up onto the water. Then, the rider will try to ride the top of the wave parallel to the horizon, called sliding the wave, as surfers on surfboards do. Staying centered on the board is the key to keeping balance, with feet apart similar to surfing. There are other advanced techniques of riding waves, like holding onto the board with both hands while riding, that can be learned after the basics are mastered.
Tags: onto board, Skimboard Work, small waves, this speed, towards wave