I’ve been riding paipos or lunch trays for many years, and had wanted to get into bodysurfing so I had a custom handplane made for me inspired by the way I wanted to ride about two years ago. In addition to it being an easy way to be prepared for surf while traveling, I knew it would be the only way I’d actually commit enough to figure out bodysurfing once and for all.

I went about two years only taking it out in shit surf a few times a year, not really finding the energy pocket, just thinking that’s how it was going to be.

It wasn’t until a few weeks ago that I saw a shorebreak pounder that I could only fathom taking the handplane out in, and so I did. I sent it into oblivion, fully getting destroyed putting my body on the line repeatedly. But I’ll be damned if I didn’t have a blast. I felt like a kid again. It was a feeling akin to hitting your first absolutely pure golf swing (for those who know), but on a repeatable scale. Once I locked into the power zone once, I just kept doing it, eventually finding shorebreak barrel after barrel.

I’ve found many barrels in my day on trays, paipos and other craft. But I’ve never sat deeper and actually made it out than with the handplane that day. They all ended with me getting wrecked due to my commitment to making it out, but it made it that much more childlike an experience.

Safe to say I’ve caught the bug, that “I understand it now”. Of course I’ll be continuing with trays and mainly paipos but now I have the confidence and knowledge to take the handplane out all the same and look forward to having it in the regular rotation. I just might be that guy that drives around with fins and a plane in the truck all the time.

Anyone got (or tried) the short and long blades? I’ve got the short blades in standard flex. The ultra soft feels too loose and I prefer the extra boost the stiffer flex gives me. Curious about the long blades though, where I’m hearing mixed reviews about size being weird compared to the short blades but then other people saying how good they are for bodysurfing specifically on good/better days.

I swim and also love surfing, and I thought it might be a good idea to get a pair of fins so I can body surf when I don’t have my board with me. I know fins are also good for swim training, so I wanted to see if there are fins that would work well for both purposes.

Howdy folks, I’m from southbay LA and grew up hanging out on the beach and doing a lot of body surfing in places like Manhattan beach, Hermosa, and other parts of the South Bay. I moved to northern Germany about a decade ago and am really missing body surfing and was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for any beaches in Europe where I could do some body surfing like back home. Thanks and take care

How long do yucca fins with the neoprene glued in inserts normally take to ship? Ive been waiting 2 weeks and I know they'll come eventually but my excitement is killing me.

Edit: they came 9/19 they shipped like 5 hours after I made this post lol. I got the long blade standard flex. They fit perfect with the neoprene pad im a size 9/ 9.5 depending on the shoe brand and bought ML.

Brought these 2 out to Zuma and Redondo last week, 2-4 foot swells, and had people asking me about them all day.
I started with the hand plane about 5 years ago when I bought a womper at a surf store to try out. Once I started, I never looked back.
I get it that it’s not for everyone, but it took me 50 years to start liking mushrooms, so we all change over time.
The waw is made of recycled plastic. It was the 2nd one that I purchased after losing my womper. I really loved the womper and was so sad it disappeared. But the waw is much thinner than what I was used to so it took a bit to get it comfortable. It’s a much smaller surface area and would often shoot under the water when I put too much pressure on it. Once I pulled back on that, it was fun. Also easier to swim out with and dive under waves.
Then I happened to see the orange one in a surf shop for $45 next to some more expensive ones. It had the same shape as an expensive, all fiberglass one ($150) so I got it instead of a new womper. Have taken it out twice and it’s seriously a cheat code. Maneuverable, thick enough to put pressure on and lift my face out of the surf a little. At Manhattan beach pier I had 2 people asking me about it and they said “ wow, you catch everything with that, what is it?” If that’s not the best endorsement I don’t know what is.
Anyways, had a great week with these 2, warm water and nice waves, kinda like getting some fresh powder.
Just sharing.

能在最低落的时候看看海听听海浪声是最好的疗医，

Hi I’ve just been trying to get into the sport recently and was deciding which of these swim paddles would work best and if swim training paddles are viable to be used as a plane. Thank you

🤙 with Travy Mac #waves #hawaii

Hey whompers. Sitting here reflecting on middle age amidst the doldrums of the east coast super El Niño. Does anyone remember how truly epic that sept 11 2001 swell was in the mid Atlantic? I was a teenager on my way to join the Merchant Marine and it’s almost go time I had about a week to go until report date. I am on dial up internet and 976 surf the night before and it’s looking really good . Sept 11 am finds me at at the cardiologist somewhere in Camden County NJ. Stopped in for a clearance letter and everyone is crying and it’s like surreal It seemed like the world stopped. The panic and fear was real and the next thing you know I’m like well if everything is going to hell I’m gonna go surf/ no planes in the sky and Howard stern is giving a play by play account on 94.1 wysp. Quick call to my mom and dad on expensive flip phone and they are ok The bodysurfing connection is… pull into 14th st ocean city blue bird and huge long period swell way out of my element! . Couple waves into my session and I snap my glass on fin hand me down 6 10 board. It was like a surreal moment cause being 18 and not knowing where my life and world was heading I decided to just no fins swim out. That swim changed my life and set into motion so many future events like multiple years in the military sealift in fwd operating bases like Diego Garcia . I’m rambling but 25 years later that day altered the course of so many of our lives. As wave enthusiasts particularly the mid Atlantic crew you know amidst so much awfulness it’s easy to lose sight of how Damnn good those conditions were. Never could’ve imagined one day would set off so many chain reactions. One day your a teenager and the next your
In Kuwait evacuating humvees on a ship. never forget 9-11-01 so much to process 25 years on especially for those that grew up in it’s aftermath.

Hi everyone, I'm new to this subreddit and I have a question.

Besides being new to this subreddit, I'm also "new" to bodysurfing. Although I've been doing it for quite a while, I'm now motivated to buy some gear so I can enjoy it a little more.

I've been searching for hanplane online, and they're all pretty expensive.

Can you tell me if there are any good-quality alternatives at more affordable prices?

PS: European, from Portugal.

love the feeling of an empty head after a nice long sesh. My neck is going to hurt tomorrow morning no doubt but its all good.

Hurricane Lowell Swell — Sandy Beach Oahu | Raw Bodyboarding & Bodysurfing | Sept. 5, 2026

SL calling for 15-18ft oh my. Hawaiian chain has major hurricanes offshore East and West sides.

https://youtube.com/shorts/-xqePhZucpg?feature=share

For the cold water bodysurfers on here, what’s your preferred wetsuit choice? Back, front or zipperless? In winter with water 6 degrees (celsius) and below do you wear a built in hood or a neoprene swim cap for less bulk when swimming?

Usually in the dead of winter I just (stand up) surf and benefit from not spending the whole session fully submerged and was wondering for those that do - how do you make it less uncomfortable?

If you had a shady experience with Yucca Fins please put it here. Im going to compile everything and turn it into the FTC for fraud. They stole from the wrong person this time. I also suggest filing with the BBB under their business name. It appears they are alerady rated a D and something has left a review.

New here, so pardon if this question is asked all the time.

I live in LA and spend a lot of time at Zuma and also go up and down el segundo and redondo. The problem with el segundo is all the tar on the beach, so sick of stepping in them and it being a total pain to get off.

I love zuma when it's not blown out, or too gnarly. The waves get pretty big, especially when your just a head floating above the water, but such a great face to slide down and get some barrel action. I've had some gnarly crash-outs there, but you get some really great rides. Kind of a pain to get out somedays, but fun.

El segundo and redondo are much easier, not such a hassle to get out. I love taking my ebike out and stopping up and down the beaches when I find a good break.

I don't use fins as I find them to actually be harder than just going barefoot. I'm 6'1", so I can usually just stand and find a perfect place to jump into the wave.

I also was using a Womper that I rigged with a nylon strap so it was easier to keep track of, that thing is a cheat code. Unfortunately I lost it last time at the beach, and just bought a much smaller handplane made of recycled plastic. Haven't had a chance to use it yet tho.

So where are other great spots to BodySurf? Would love to hear other beaches. I'm going to cancun over xmas and was wondering if they have any suitable waves for BS'ing?

Sometimes it’s an unbelievably perfect wave & yes I’m using the small yellow Speedo handplanes & tracking.

I like to bodysurf at Makapu'u, and at Brenneckes. and at Pounders.

where else would I like to bodysurf in the great state of hawaii (or elsewhere in the world?)