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It's
been five years since I set foot in the sea, and then it was under
the warm sun of Fuerteventura! At that time, my mission was to stay
on one of those big illuminous bananas.
That
was a long time ago, but it was still with some trepidation that
I agreed to enter the sea once again as a bodysurfing beginner.
 Watch
this video
Watch Matt Shepherd's first attempt at Bodysurfing
Warning: This clip is hilarious!
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Click
here
To listen to Andy Bodenham explain to Matt about the sport
of Bodysurfing.
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The sea at Sandymouth near Bude may have been grey in colour, but
it had magnificent waves crashing on to the beach. But the temperature
was just nine degrees Celsius.
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| Sandymouth
Beach near Bude |
My
first problem was my encounter with the wetsuit.
I managed to get it on but it was back to front, and inside out.
Once sorted out My trainer Andy Bodenham from 'Welcome to Bodysurfing'
led me down to the cold sea of the Atlantic. Andy told me about
some important safety rules: Don't go out of your depth as a beginner,
and if the waves start to pull you out, make sure I put my feet
on the ground as soon as possible.
Andy
explained how timing was essential. I had to watch the wave and
then dive into it so it would carry me towards the shore. It was
important to wait for a wave that would be powerful enough to carry
me.
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| Matt
takes to the water, belly flop style |
I had to stretch my arms out above me, and then bury my head between
my arms, and hit the water. Andy
said: "Oh
and one more thing, don't forget to take a deep breath
and close your mouth," As I belly-flopped
into my first wave!
It didn't take long for me to realise that I was not going to be
a natural-born-body-surfer, but the
adrenaline rush everytime I dived into a wave encouraged me to keep
going until the cold water just got the better of me.
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| Wearing
the wetsuit the right way round this time! |
Did
I enjoy it? You bet, and I had a good old chuckle at the footage
afterwards! I don't think I will be able to represent my country
in the Bodysurfing Championships, but it's certainly something I
would try again.
I did
it when the sea was at its coldest, imagine what fun it would be
when the temperature rises. So as long as you're a competent swimmer,
it's a sport that most ages would be able to do and enjoy.
'Welcome
to Bodysurfing' offers lessons for the beginners through to expert
surfers in Cornwall.
To
find out more about the Bodysurfing courses visit www.body-surfing.co.uk
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