Helpful hints:

Here's a list of tips that only years of bodyboarding experience can yield:

PUTTING IN A LEASH - This is very simple and should take less than one minute. You can use anything that is thin, strong and about 4 inches (10cms) long. A Phillips head screwdriver (+) is the best. Using a pen or a stick is not recommended! 

Lay on your board and pretend you are riding on a wave, figure out where the leash would feel most comfortable. Most riders will put the leash about 8 inches (20cms) down from the nose of the board, and about 6 inches (15cms) in from either side depending on which side they wear their leash. If you're not sure which arm the leash will go on, a good idea is to put it right in the center, about 8 inches (20cms) down from the nose.

Once you have found the right spot, remember where it is or even mark it with a pencil on the deck. Place the screwdriver upright on the spot on the deck of your board where you want to put the plug and jam it into your board. Bang it with your hand so it pops through the slick bottom. Twist the screwdriver around so it makes the hole in your board big enough to fit the two ends of the plug. Put the two ends of the plug in either side of the board, and screw the bottom plate of the plug into the top plate using a large coin or a broad flat head screwdriver until each side of the plug is slightly recessed. There is no need to seal the opening as the cells in a bodyboard are closed, and water won't travel from one cell to the other. You're ready to surf.

The following pictures will give you a better idea:

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WAX TIP - For you newbies, wax helps to grip your board, not to make it go faster like skis. Apply wax liberally to areas where your forearms, elbows, and hands will touch the board, and put a lighter coat where your chest and stomach lay on the board. This will prevent you from sliding awkwardly off the board.To get the old wax off your board, use a wax remover. Alternately, find an OUTDOOR hot shower, or boil a couple of kettles of water. Pour the hot water on the board and the wax should pour off too. Remember, if you do it in an indoor shower, the wax will clog the drain!!! Alternately, you can use a hair dryer at close range wiping the wax off with an old rag while it's still melted and hot. Be careful though, if not you might damage your board.

SUN DAMAGE - Do not under any circumstances leave your board in any hot place, including direct sunlight. It will warp, rocker out, and bubble your board! I like to get white bottoms on my boards as they repel sunlight. Medium colors are good for the deck as they don't reflect as much sun making them easier on your eyes.

FIN ULCERS - If you are getting blisters from your fins, the first step is: Prevention: Dab huge globs of Vaseline on areas inside your fin where you feel blisters might start. This is especially effective with a new pair of fins. It will lubricate these areas before blisters start while you're breaking in the new fins. Alternately, you can use a pair of fin socks. Treatment: If you've already got sores from the fins, try buying those corn or bunion cushions at the pharmacy/drug store/chemist. They're shaped like donuts. Stick one over your sore with the sore in the middle open part of the cushion. For reinforcement, you can lay duct tape over that to keep in on, and that should protect your cut from getting worse.

DELAMINATIONS/BUBBLES - If by sheer misfortune, your rail, nose or tail begin to separate from the core of the board, or the sun bubbles your board, you can repair it yourself. First of all, you have to dry out your board. This means standing it up so that the water runs away from the damaged area, and you may even need to take a hair dryer to completely dry it out. You'll need SpongeRez or a hot melt glue gun. They're cheap at your local hardware store. In the case of a delamination, split the two separated pieces of foam apart and simply inject hot glue or SpongeRez into the opening. Don't be afraid to use a lot, it's cheap. Push the pieces together and hold them for a couple of minutes. You can scrape off the excess glue while you're waiting. After 2 or 3 minutes, the pieces should be bonding well, and you can leave it overnight to set.
For bubbles in the slick skin or anywhere else on the board, slice a small opening in the base of the bubble and make sure to dry out the inside well. Simply squirt in some hot glue or SpongeRez, push the bubble flat, and hold it for a few minutes. Then leave overnight with a large book or other flat object on it.
 

If you think you have a tip that other bodyboarders can use, email us.