Body surfing is the first sport we learn. Our first 40 weeks are spent surrounded by elemental warm wetness, sloshing and sliding when our moms go about their lives. Whatever we hear is muffled by the fluid in our ears, and the predominant sensation, at least as I imagine it, is one of floating. How is that any different than riding a tropical wave with little more than a pair of trunks and held breath? Not so much, really.

Body Surf is a mysterious little website from Australia that features semi-regular editions of body surfing pictures. Minimalist in the extreme, there are no words but the photographer’s name and location. Just waves and bodies and nary a board in sight. Every time a new edition drops–volume 4 is out now–I’m reminded how little we need to amuse ourselves in nature. Compare it to assembling your rack for a climb. Or throwing a leg over your bike–think how many of those components we carefully considered, from the alloy bolts on your water bottle cage to the multitool in your pack or saddlebag. And all you really need is a wave.

Tagged as: oceans, surfing