Handplaning is a form of bodysurfing that uses a small board strapped to one hand to help lift your body and reduce drag in the water. This makes it easier to catch waves, stay on them longer, and control your direction more smoothly. It’s a lightweight, minimalist way to enjoy wave riding with just a handplane and swim fins.
Handplaning is a pared-back form of wave riding that sits somewhere between bodysurfing and traditional surfing. It uses a small board, usually the size of a forearm, which is strapped to one hand to help you glide more efficiently across the face of a wave. The idea is simple: with the addition of a handplane and a pair of swim fins, you can increase lift, reduce drag, and enjoy a faster, smoother experience in the surf. The board works by slightly raising your upper body out of the water, making it easier to maintain speed and control as you ride. Unlike surfboards or bodyboards, there’s no need to carry large equipment—handplanes are lightweight, compact, and easy to travel with.
The technique itself builds on basic bodysurfing principles. You start by positioning yourself in the water, timing your entry with the wave, and using the handplane to guide and steer as you move. Because you remain mostly submerged, it’s a more intimate experience with the wave, often seen as a purist’s approach to surfing. It’s also lower impact and requires less space, making it ideal for beaches where crowded line-ups or local conditions make traditional board sports less practical. Boards can be made from a range of materials including wood, recycled plastic, or foam, each offering slightly different buoyancy and feel in the water.
While the design is minimal, handplanes do make a noticeable difference to performance. They help direct water flow under your body, making it easier to hold position and angle on the wave face. Riders can adjust their hand and body positioning to carve, stall, or accelerate depending on the wave. Some boards feature curved bottoms or channels to help with grip and manoeuvrability. Though the gear is simple, there’s still a lot of skill involved, and over time many develop a personal style that suits the type of waves they prefer to ride.
Getting into handplaning doesn’t require much kit or a long list of lessons. At a basic level, all you need is a handplane, a comfortable pair of swim fins, and access to surfable waves. Many people start by using borrowed or rented gear to get a feel for it before investing in their own. Some centres offer beginner sessions to introduce the core skills, safety tips, and wave-reading techniques, while others include handplaning as part of a broader coastal activity programme.
When choosing where to try it, sandy beaches with consistent surf and minimal obstacles are often recommended, especially for those who are newer to wave sports. From there, it’s about practising timing, building confidence in the water, and learning how your body and the handplane work together. Like any wave sport, conditions can vary daily, so part of the learning is knowing how to read the sea and make the most of each session. Handplaning is as much about enjoyment as it is technique, and the stripped-back nature of the equipment means more freedom to focus on the wave itself.
No activities match your filters
Try adjusting your filters or
