One thing is to know how to enter a wavy ocean, another is how to get back to the shore.
Observation
Before entering the water, the swimmer observes the ocean. The first stage is reading the conditions: the swell, the waves, the wind, the currents, the tides, the shape of the coastline, and the position of rocks or other obstacles.
The swimmer studies the rhythm of the ocean and prepares the body through warm-up and movement. Each session begins with orientation: understanding the character of the ocean at this particular moment.
Waves are never identical. Their size, direction, period, and shape change according to distant swells, local winds, tides, and underwater structures. Observation creates the first connection between the swimmer and the space that will be entered.
Passage
The second stage is the physical entry into the ocean through the broken waves. The swimmer crosses the surf zone, where waves release their energy toward the shore.
This passage requires strength, timing, and technique. Depending on the conditions, the swimmer may dive under waves, move diagonally, use the openings between sets, or wait for a safer moment.
Entering the surf is a conscious decision. The swimmer leaves the stability of the beach and enters a dynamic environment where constant adaptation is required.
Lineup
Beyond the broken waves lies the lineup: the zone where waves rise before breaking. Here the swimmer can observe the approaching sets, read the movement of the ocean, and choose the right moment for action.
The environment becomes more spacious and movement becomes intentional. The body surfer develops a relationship with the wave through positioning, timing, floating, diving, and controlled movement.
This is the zone of interaction and learning, where experience grows through direct observation and repeated practice.
Wave of the Day
Every ocean session usually has one defining moment. It may be the cleanest wave, the best timing, the smoothest passage through the surf, or the most successful execution of a chosen technique. This becomes the wave of the day — the best action of the entire session.
For my own practice, this moment is often a well-executed dolphin flop. Instead of riding the wave downward, I approach the rising wall of water and allow its energy to lift my body upward.
When the timing is correct, the wave projects me above the surface just before it breaks. With my arms extended in a butterfly stroke, I experience a brief moment of controlled flight above the ocean.
I rarely use fins. My objective is to explore what can be achieved using only the natural capacities of the human body. The dolphin flop has become both a research tool and one of the central techniques of my body surfing practice.
A successful dolphin flop is often my personal wave of the day. It represents the highest-quality interaction of that particular ocean session and prepares the transition toward the nucleus of the Crystal of 8 Stages of Body Surfing.
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After the wave of the day comes a short but essential stage: acknowledging the present moment. There is no need to immediately search for another wave or another achievement. The session pauses for a conscious registration of what has just happened.
This is the moment of complete connection between the swimmer, the ocean, and the present. The experience is recognized, recorded, and allowed to become part of memory. The body relaxes, breathing returns to its natural rhythm, and awareness remains connected with the surrounding conditions.
In Crystal Basic notation, this stage forms the nucleus of the Crystal of 8 Stages of Body Surfing. It condenses the entire session into a single point of awareness before the routine naturally continues toward the return.
Return
The return begins while sufficient energy remains for a safe exit. Although the main objective of the session has already been achieved, concentration remains essential until reaching the shore.
The swimmer leaves the lineup and approaches the surf zone with patience and careful observation. Broken waves, currents, and changing water depth require continuous adaptation. Instead of forcing progress, the swimmer works with the movement of the ocean, using its energy whenever possible and waiting for favorable moments.
A particularly demanding situation occurs when two large masses of water meet. A powerful breaking wave pushes water toward the shore while the previous wave is still returning to the ocean. For a short time, the swimmer may feel caught between these opposing movements.
The shoreline may appear to move farther away after each breaking wave. This is the moment to remain calm, conserve energy, and wait for the next favorable opportunity instead of forcing the exit.
The return completes the active interaction with the ocean and prepares the transition back to land.
Landing
Landing begins when the swimmer reaches the shoreline and leaves the water. Although the session in the ocean has ended, the transition back to land deserves the same attention as the entry into the water.
Breathing gradually returns to its normal rhythm, balance is regained, and the body readapts to its vertical position and its ability to move on stable ground.
This stage marks the successful completion of the physical journey. Like anchoring a boat after a voyage, a careful landing completes the routine safely and prepares the final stage of the session.
Gratitude
The final stage closes the ocean routine. After leaving the water and returning to stable ground, the swimmer acknowledges the completed journey and the interaction with the ocean.
Gratitude is a conscious recognition of the experience: the challenge, the achievement, the beauty of the environment, and the possibility of returning safely. It completes the cycle of the session.
This closing moment may take a simple form: a few conscious breaths, a silent acknowledgment, a gesture toward the ocean, or a personal ritual. Like the final anchoring of a boat after navigation, gratitude marks the completion of the journey and closes the Crystal of 8 Stages of Body Surfing with a symbolic Border Point.
The presented above Body Surfing Routines create a composition which we call a Crystal. A crystal is a structured entity in which individual elements are organized into a coherent whole. Each element has its own function and relationship with the other elements, creating a complete pattern of actions, thoughts, or processes.
Many crystals contain a central organizing element, which we call the nucleus of the crystal. The nucleus concentrates and connects the essential properties of the whole structure, creating a point of reference for all other elements.
In the case of Body Surfing Routines, the Crystal of 8 Stages represents a structured sequence of actions forming one complete ocean session. Its nucleus is the moment of conscious connection and recognition of the present experience.
A crystal structure can also become a Metaphor: a model which allows the same pattern of relationships to be translated into another field of experience, while preserving the original internal organization.
Below we present an example of translation of the Crystal of 8 Stages of Body Surfing into an artistic work. The structure and internal dynamics of the crystal become the foundation for creating a short feature film: