bodysurf

Etymology

body + surf

verb

1. To ride waves or surf without equipment, such as a surfboard.
   The key to bodysurfing a good wave is timing. 2015, Paul Beatty, The Sellout, Oneworld Publications (2016), page 143
2. To ride waves either without equipment or with a handboard.
   Australians had been surfing lying down on 4-5 foot wooden surfboards before then and bodysurfing with wooden handboards — some had even heard about stand-up surfing in Hawaii and seen a couple of local surfers standing up — but stand-up surfing was still more of a rumour than a reality for most Aussie beach-goers. 2003, Louise Southerden, Surf's Up: The Girl's Guide to Surfing, page 13
   A talented surfer and strong swimmer, and a fellow member of the Bronte Surf Club, he specialised in body surfing with a hand board. 2013, Ian Wilson, Come a Little Bit Closer