We all did it growing up. We all know the thrill of feeling the wave gathering strength and propelling you down the face. But there is a subset of bodyboarders who have taken that experience to a much higher level. I set out last week to see if I could capture some of the action and here is what I discovered:

First, the bodyboarding crowd in Southern California is a pretty unique group. They range in age from kids to dads to retirees. They are constantly harassed by the surfing crowd so they tend to band together in support of their sport. As a result, it seems bodyboarders are quite encouraging to one another which is really cool to see.

Second, these guys really work hard to perfect their maneuvers. Getting pitted, firing of an el rollo, doing a reverse spin 360, or throwing an invert are a far cry from my days of simply catching a wave. The talent is real and while they make it look easy, such a show is clearly the result of hours in the water.

Shooting these watermen is also a bit of a challenge. Positioning is key. If shooting from shore and desiring a barrel shot, it may be necessary to set up waaaay down the beach to get the right angle. Of course, this necessitates a lot of glass. I found that 500-700 mm does the trick. Then there is the light. This is a colorful sport with colored decks, white spray and blue/green water. The sunnier it is, the more options one has to shoot at a fast enough speed to capture the action and not have dark or fuzzy blobs as a result.

Also, a good backdrop sets up the picture well. A pier or a rock jetty provides a nice contrast and may exemplify how low to the water this sport really is. Finally, and this is the most difficult to plan for, one needs a decent swell. When all the conditions come together: sun, swell, scenery, and talent, shooting the sponger is really rewarding!