What does bodyboarding mean?
Bodyboarding is a water sport in which a rider propels themselves onto breaking waves using a short, lightweight, flexible board known as a bodyboard. Unlike traditional surfing, where participants stand upright, bodyboarders typically lie prone on the board or drop onto one knee, wearing swim fins on their feet to paddle into position and catch waves. Because it requires less balance and skill to begin, bodyboarding is widely regarded as one of the most accessible ways to enjoy wave riding, appealing equally to children, beginners, and experienced riders who tackle large, powerful surf. The activity grew out of ancient forms of prone wave riding practiced by Polynesians, but its modern form dates to 1971, when Tom Morey created the first purpose-built soft foam board, marketed as the 'Boogie Board.' Today bodyboarding enjoys an international competitive circuit, dedicated magazines, and a devoted following, particularly in Hawaii, Australia, Brazil, Portugal, and California.
nounBodyboarding is a water sport in which a person rides waves on a short, flexible board while typically lying prone or dropping to one knee, using swim fins for propulsion. It is one of the most accessible forms of surfing.
- The sport or activity of riding breaking waves on a short flexible board while lying prone or kneeling.
"The surf was too heavy for his longboard, so he grabbed his bodyboard and paddled out instead."
"She spent every summer bodyboarding at Huntington Beach with her cousins."
"Bodyboarding is often recommended as a gentler entry point into wave riding than stand-up surfing."
As an uncountable noun denoting an activity, 'bodyboarding' does not take a plural. Plurality is expressed through quantifiers, e.g. 'years of bodyboarding' or 'hours of bodyboarding'.
"He has enjoyed many years of bodyboarding along the Cornish coast."
The modern bodyboard was invented in 1971 by Tom Morey — who shaped the first prototype from foam in his garage and later sold it under the name 'Boogie Board'.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of bodyboarding
Bodyboarding derives from 'bodyboard,' a compound of 'body' (from Old English 'bodig') and 'board,' reflecting that the rider uses their whole body rather than standing. The sport's modern form emerged in the early 1970s when American surfer Tom Morey designed a soft, flexible foam board he initially sold as the 'Morey Boogie,' giving rise to the informal synonym 'boogie boarding.' Prone wave riding itself has much older roots in Polynesian watercraft traditions.
Related word forms
How bodyboarding is actually used
Informal to neutral register; strongly associated with beach and surf culture. The verb form 'to bodyboard' also exists. The term 'boogie boarding' is trademark-derived slang and is used more casually.
Easily confused with bodyboarding
Surfers stand upright on a longer board, whereas bodyboarders ride lying prone or kneeling on a much shorter board.
Boogie boarding is an informal trade-derived nickname for the same activity, named after the Boogie Board brand popularized in the 1970s.