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SURF NEWS WHEN IT'S FLAT: TRAY SURFING | Surfline San Diego
April 17, 2009
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So you're too cool to bodyboard, maybe not quite cool enough to ride an Alaia, and you won't go within a country mile of a Stand Up Paddleboard. How do you feel about body surfing... with a tray?
 
Tray surfing is a cross between bodyboarding and body surfing, in which the surfer uses a plastic tray (not so different from the type you'd find at any fast food restaurant) to kick or stroke into waves. The best part about it: It's cheap. If the economy was in better shape, I would never suggest this, but you can come up on a tray pretty easily. Good rule of thumb: If there's a food joint near your house that has a drive-thru window, you can probably score a tray there.

Tim Swart, owner of UNIV in Encinitas and a self-sponsored tray surfer, was kind enough to show us rookies the ropes in a recent session in North County.

What exactly is tray surfing?
Tray surfing is simply assisted body surfing with a tray commonly used in food service. It's good clean fun for the entire family.

Where did you come up with the idea?
We used to dabble on the East Coast a bit years back. They work really well on snow too. Fiberglass ones don't float well; plastic is the best.

What do you need to go tray surfing?
All you need is a tray and a good attitude. You can use swim fins if you want, but they're not a necessity.

Where do you get a good tray?
You can get them lots of places. You can obtain one legally via a manufacturer or from a restaurant, cafeteria, fast food joint, etc.

Have you experimented with different size trays?
Yes, small is great for high performance shredding, and large ones are perfect for cruising and big waves.

Do you ever get any weird looks on the beach, paddling out with a tray?
The tray gets some looks, but it's probably the leopard pouch that gets more attention. The great thing is any spot works fine, so you don't have to go to the crowded breaks.
"Tray surfing is simply assisted body surfing with a tray commonly used in food service."
- Swart, explaining what exactly tray surfing is.
Speaking of paddling out, how does that work with a tray?
The tray isn't too big, so you hold it and swim out. It's a quick paddle out.

What's the biggest you've taken a tray out?
Large wintertime Blacks, Swamis, The Wedge and we're planning a trip to Dungeons this winter. Just kidding. The bigger, the better, though.

Can you go in the swim zone with a tray?
I think you can, but can't say for certain.

Do you think it's more fun than surfing?
Sometimes, yes. It's way different -- basically body surfing, but it's hard to have a bad time doing it.

So if you had the choice between tray surfing in knee high conditions or surfing head high barrels, you'd choose tray surfing?
It depends on the crowds I suppose. Sometimes the crappiest waves can be fun just getting pushed along and swimming.

Is there a tray surfing club?
I'm sure there could be, but not sure that I'd be in it. I have a fear of organized groups, so would move on to something different at that point.

Can you stand up on the tray?
You can behind a boat, for sure.

Have you ever snaked anyone on your tray?
I think so. I passed a surfer once too but he was on soft board.

How many trys do you go through a year?
I go through 30 to 40 trays, at least. But I'm sponsored.

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