Stop stroking, but keep kicking. Streamline your body and continue riding the wave as long as desired - or until your face is plowing through sandcastles. If your ride is done and the wave is beginning to pitch out, you can dive back down and into the wave to avoid being tossed. But then again, it's only water, and the crashes are often half the fun. Try tucking up into the hollow space beneath the lip of the breaking wave and looking down through the curl.
Body surfing in shallow water can be very dangerous.
If you are unsure, ask a lifeguard. If you feel yourself beginning to pitch out with the lip of the wave, tuck your body into a ball. This is the safest position to crash in. Body surfing is an inherently dangerous activity that can result in serious injury or death. We recommend that you seek proper training and equipment before attempting this activity.