Surf hand planing - a guide to
Congratulations if you have purchased a Hityo Handplane. In order to ensure that you gain maximum enjoyment from your new tool and do not come to any harm we advise you to read the following information:
WARNING: A Hityo Handplane is not a flotation device and should not be used as such. It should only be used by proficient swimmers in conditions that they are comfortable with.
The handplane includes a hand hold for griping the board during use. Please ensure that you can hold the plane comfortably and easily remove your hand.
As with any water sport there are inherent risks when bodysurfing and handplaning. Keep hold of your handplane at all times and do not allow it to be a danger to other water users. Be aware of other water users when body surfing.
Ensure that you a physically fit to surf in the conditions present with your handplane. Be aware that when in motion the handplane can “grip” the wave and general movement through the water can generate torque that if you are not prepared for could cause injury by twisting your wrist.
Surveying the break
As keen as you may be to get in the water, spending 10 minutes looking at the break prior to getting wet can save you a wasted session and ensure that you are safe in the water. Many beaches have an information board near access points and these can be useful sources of information. Talk to the lifeguards and any other water users on the local conditions.
Things to look out for include:
Rip currents
Look for signs of rip currents and sideways moving water. From the shore
▪ a channel of churning, choppy water
▪ an area having a notable difference in water colour
▪ a line of foam, seaweed, or debris moving steadily seaward
▪ a break in the incoming wave pattern
Do not enter the water if you are inexperienced to identify and deal with these conditions. We advise that you always swim at a lifeguard patrolled beach.
How to avoid and survive rip currents
Learn how to swim!
▪ Never swim alone.
▪ Be cautious at all times, especially when swimming at unguarded beaches. If in doubt, don’t go out!
▪ Whenever possible, swim at a lifeguard protected beach.
▪ Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards.
▪ If caught in a rip current, remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly.
▪ Don’t fight the current. Swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline. When out of the current, swim towards shore.
If you are unable to swim out of the rip current, float or calmly tread water.
▪ When out of the current, swim towards shore.
▪ If you are still unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself: face the shore, wave your arms, and yell for help.
If you see someone in trouble, get help from a lifeguard. If a lifeguard is not available, have someone call 999 . Throw the rip current victim something that floats and yell instructions on how to escape. Remember, many people drown while trying to save someone else from a rip current.
Surf conditions
Spend some time understanding the surf and conditions and how they affect the spot, this should include:
• Wind direction (and any changes due).
• Wave height (remember a wave looking 3ft from the shore can feel a lot bigger once out there and lying down!).
• Set waves – as above check for wave height and ensure that you will be confident in the water when the set waves come through.
• Tide times and any local conditions
These parameters along with your individual ability will determine if you should enter the water. Only surf within your individual abilities, remember things can change quickly in the water with a subtle change of any of the above factors you need to be prepared for them. If you have surfed before remember a full size surf board provides buoyancy and this can conserve energy you may tire more quickly when bodysurfing.
Equipment
• You (in reasonable shape)
• Fins / flippers (these are optional but we highly recommend them)
• Neoprene (a wetsuit is optional but in the UK we recommend one 97% of the time!)
• Handboard / handplane
What’s under the water?
We’re not talking jellyfish and sharks here! Are there any submerged objects (old seawalls, wrecks etc) and rocks that you need to be aware of and avoid. Not all items will be marked with buoys or other indications. Research the break or speak to the lifeguards.
Movement
Keep an eye on your position in the water and movements at all times. Chose a stationary object directly in front of you and then also one to the left or right. This can act as you marker and you can act if find yourself moving in an unplanned direction too quickly.
If you find yourself being washed out into the ocean the key is not to panic. Stay calm and wave for help. Conserve energy, do not try to fight against the current but paddle across it to escape from the rip (see previous item on rip currents).
Catching a ride
Face the approaching waves, you want to know where they are coming from! Miss a few at first, get to know where and how they are breaking. Do they build gradually or do they pitch up and break quickly?
Once you have ascertained this and know what’s happening go get your first wave of the day. Look for the approaching mound, once it is heading towards you and about 5 metres away, turn around and commit – 100%. Start swimming and kicking towards the shore. At some point in the near future you will feel the wave pull you back, keep kicking. As the wave continues to form it will pick you up and you will then feel the forward momentum. Determine which direction you want to be heading in depending on how the wave is breaking left or right. If heading left extend you left hand out with the plane in hand or right hand if heading right (think Superman!).
Try and position the plane into the wave parallel to your body or just below you and push up off the same by keeping your torso stiff. Your weight will drop you into the wave as the slide down it. All the time keep kicking with your legs unless you feel that no more forward momentum is required and that the wave is taking you. It’s then a matter of reading the wave and using your body and experience to get the most out of it using your plane to lift your body out of the water and decrease drag to get a long a ride as possible. As you improve you will be able to position yourself as close to the shoulder as possible and eventually get into the wave as it is breaking getting barreled.
To get a better idea we suggest that you view the videos on our website –
http://www.hityo.co.uk/handplane-and-bodysurfing-videos
More advice on beach and ocean safety can be found at:
http://rnli.org/safetyandeducation/stayingsafe/beach-safety/Pages/Beach-safety-advice.aspx
Surf hand plane lessons
If you don't have basic water knowledge and experience of swimming in the sea you may wish to consider taking a lesson with an experienced instructor. The Extreme Academy, in Watergate Bay provide a Learn to Handplane Course for around £20 for a 2 hour session with equipment.