July 21, 2009

Surfers spend countless hours searching for the best break, but sometimes the best wave might be where the water meets the shore. Shorebreak, waves that break on the shore, is a phenomenon water sports enthusiasts often overlook. Dependent on tides and sandbar structure, shorebreak can be excellent, but fleeting.

Summer has started and waves are becoming scarce. While waiting for a hurricane swell, surfers can continue pursuing the rush with watersports that utilize shorebreak. Bodysurfing is a time-honored sport, overshadowed by the popular surfing industry.

During the buildup to last year’s presidential election, video surfaced of then-candidate Obama bodysurfing a chunky shorebreak wave in his home state of Hawaii. If questioned, President Obama would certainly promote the joys of bodysurfing grinding waist-high shorebreak.

The activity is cost efficient in these hard economic times. Participants do not incur any significant expenses besides the occasional bandage. More importantly, heavy shorebreak over compact sand and jagged shells provides bodysurfers with a quick rush of adrenaline-induced fun.

Skimboarding is another effective use of shorebreak. Fast-paced and high-impact, skimboarding provides practitioners with fun regardless of wave conditions. Skimmers run at the shorebreak, jumping on their board shortly before reaching the water, and attempt whichever radical maneuver seems appropriate.

Often skimmers simply go flying head-over-heels, landing in shallow water with a sickening smack. Like any other extreme sport, skimboarding has a learning curve. As practitioners gain experience, they learn to use the shorebreak as a ramp to launch colossal airs.

Skimboarders are steadily becoming a standard component of the beach scene on Hatteras Island.

Curtis Cromwell of Natural Art Surf Shop in Buxton is leading the skimboard movement. Shortbus Skims, Cromwell’s skimboard production company, equips customers with quality boards at prices a fraction of  the cost of surfboards.

“When there’s no surf, there’s always shorebreak -- even if it’s knee high you can still skim,” Cromwell said of his sport’s convenience.

Enough complaining about tiny waves and relegating yourself to bronzing, Hatteras Island still has untapped potential. Whether burying in a dredging barrel or launching above the horizon, shorebreak is a great alternative during the summer slump.

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