Eco friendly bodyboard hire that’s cheap!

Over the 2021 summer holiday season, 1,082 snapped plastic bodyboards were recovered from south-west beaches by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy’s Ocean Recovery Project.

Bodyboard hire
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The bodyboards, collected from Croyde Bay, Fistral beach and Bude, are just a small percentage of the boards that go to waste each year.

Working with community groups and beach owners, the coordinated collection has filled an entire shipping container with broken bodyboards. Shockingly, this only scratched the surface of the problem across the region.

At 2 Canalside, Bude, we want to help keep our oceans plastic free. We are proud to join Keep Britain’s Tidy #WaveOfWaste £1 hire scheme. This allows our guests customers to hire well made, durable bodyboards for just £2 per day, with £1 going to Keep Britain Tidy and £1 to Bude Sea Pool charity.

Please, stop and think before you purchase a cheap polystyrene boards (which are usually rubbish anyway!). By hiring a quality board from us you’ll:

  • Help prevent plastic ending up in the ocean
  • Support a brilliant charity – Bude Sea Pool
  • Have more fun on a better board
  • Probably save money!

To hire, simply add at time of booking, or just let us know before you arrive by email – or even during your stay with us!

New to bodyboards? Read below for our tips

Equipment

The basic equipment you need for bodyboarding is a bodyboard, a leash, and fins.

  • Bodyboard: A bodyboard is a small, foam board that you use to ride waves. There are many different types of bodyboards available, so it’s important to choose one that is the right size and shape for you.
  • Leash: A leash is a cord that attaches your bodyboard to your wrist or ankle. This prevents your board from getting away from you if you fall off.
  • Fins: Fins are attached to your feet and help you to paddle and maneuver your bodyboard.

Safety

Before you go bodyboarding, it’s important to be aware of the safety risks involved. These include:

  • Rip currents: Rip currents are strong currents that can pull you out to sea. If you get caught in a rip current, do not try to swim against it. Instead, swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current.
  • Waves: Waves can be powerful and can knock you over or injure you. Always be aware of your surroundings and do not bodyboard in areas where the waves are too big or too dangerous.
  • Sun: The sun can be very strong, so it’s important to wear sunscreen when you’re bodyboarding.

How to Bodyboard

  1. Paddle out to the waves. Start by paddling out to the waves in a 90-degree angle to the shore. This will help you to avoid getting caught in a rip current.
  2. Wait for a wave. Once you’re out past the initial breaking waves, wait for a wave that is the right size for you. You want a wave that is big enough to carry you, but not so big that it will knock you over.
  3. Paddle into the wave. As the wave approaches, paddle as hard as you can into it. This will help you to catch the wave and ride it in.
  4. Get on your board. As the wave picks you up, get on your board and lie on your stomach. Keep your weight centered on the board and your arms and legs outstretched.
  5. Ride the wave. Steer your board as you ride the wave. You can use your body to shift your weight and make turns.
  6. Have fun! Bodyboarding is a great way to enjoy the waves and get some exercise. So relax, have fun, and enjoy the ride!

Here are some additional tips for bodyboarding:

  • Start with small waves. If you’re a beginner, it’s best to start with small waves. This will give you time to learn how to paddle and ride the waves without getting knocked over.
  • Practice in shallow water. If you’re not sure how to bodyboard, it’s a good idea to practice in shallow water. This will give you a chance to learn how to fall without getting hurt.
  • Watch other bodyboarders. Pay attention to how other bodyboarders are paddling and riding the waves. This will give you some pointers on how to improve your own technique.
  • Have fun! Bodyboarding is a great way to enjoy the waves and get some exercise. So relax, have fun, and enjoy the ride!

Click here to see availability at 2 Canalside and book.