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Just like a rider on horseback or an F1 driver behind the wheels, a bodyboard is a surfer’s ride on the sea. Nothing compares to the adrenaline rush while riding the waves on these “boogie boards,” and a bonus is that they are safer than conventional surfing boards. There is a myriad of brands, colors, shapes, and sizes of bodyboards and this might confuse you or take you too much time to find your ideal bodyboard. But not to worry, we have selected the best bodyboards in 2024 for you to choose from.
Bodyboards are great for amateur surfers because they make catching and riding the waves easy, which is a good thing since many people give up the surf because they can’t get the hang of it at the start.
Riding on bodyboards is typically done standing with one knee on the board (drop-knee) or with your belly on the board (prone surfing), and less commonly by standing up on both legs. To enjoy the best bodyboard experience on the high sea, you must select one that suits you. Riding on the right bodyboard will enhance your surfing skills and make your rides even more spectacular.
With the Bo-Toys Body Board, you get to show your surfing skills at high speeds without worrying about falling off, courtesy of the body board’s 60/40 rails and compact design.
This 33” Bo-Toys Body Board features an HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) slick bottom with channels and a crescent tail. It comes with a pro-quality leash and a wristband to keep the board close, an EPS core which makes it strong, and heat lamination technology. Available in red, blue, and pink shades to add a little color to the surf. It is lightweight and offers a stylish design without sacrificing durability and strength.
If you’re looking for a strong and rigid bodyboard, look no further. This bodyboard has at least one stringer that makes it more rigid and balanced to ride on.
The Wavestorm bodyboard comes in different sizes between 40” to 42.5”. It features an HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) high impact bottom, a superior grade EPS foam core, and a patented graphic top deck skin.
If you are a Pro and you’ll be riding some pretty big waves, this Legendary bodyboard is just for you. It is heat-sealed, which makes it super strong to withstand heavy waves and resistant to bubble formation.
This GYN Trade bodyboard features a slick hard bottom, Styrofoam cover, crescent tail, and a detachable wrist leash to keep it close. It is lightweight too, which means it will be great for amateur surfers to catch and ride the waves easily. Available in US flag colors, dark blue and pink, hibiscus, and light blue and pink colors. It measures 45” but also comes in a variety of smaller sizes.
True surfers know that there is a deep connection between a surfer and his or her bodyboard. A surfer that chooses the right bodyboard for their experience level and body will find it easy and fun to ride the waves, so compatibility is super important.
So far, we have suggested a list of the best bodyboards with great qualities, but which one are you to choose? How do you select the bodyboard for you? Not to worry, we have compiled this buying guide to help you with the various factors and qualities to consider when “surfing” the market for bodyboards perfect for you.
As you will soon come to learn, many things define the quality, performance, and compatibility of a bodyboard. You can’t ignore these things and pick up a bodyboard simply because it looks slick, has bright colors, or because your friend has one just like it. You need specific information to find what you need in a bodyboard, so you can ride the waves down to Atlantis and have as much fun as you possibly can while staying safe.
The core describes the material that makes up the bodyboard, and there are many of them.
This was the core of the first generation of bodyboards. Alongside Polypropylene (Polypro), PE is the most common core for bodyboards today. PE offers more flexibility and board maneuverability for the rider, and it is perfect for low water temperatures. However, it tends to absorb water over time, which could make it fold under the rider. To avoid this, you need to retrofit your PE bodyboard with at least one stringer to make it stiffer.
Polypro cores are more lightweight and stronger than polyethylene cores. Plus, they are water-resistant, so it is not a surprise that they are more expensive. They offer optimal performance on the waves and they are the usual choice for top surfers, especially in hotter climates.
EPS is the most common core on bodyboards for newbies and amateurs. It is the cheapest too. EPS is reasonably stiff but lightweight and it offers the right amount of flex. However, it lacks full recoil and can crease easily under extreme stress. You can fix this snag by retrofitting it with a carbon fiber stringer to make it stiffer.
NRG cores are less dense than Polypro cores, which gives them more flexibility. They were developed using state-of-the-art expansion cell technology, and offer enhanced projection and recoil than other cores. These cores typically come in various stringer and mesh combos for more durability and stability, so you’d have to test different variations to find the best for you.
This feature is the bottom skin of the bodyboard. Its function is to reduce friction/drag and enhance flexibility when the board makes contact with the water surface. The slick bottoms of bodyboards often come as either one of two materials; Surlyn or High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE).
HDPE slick bottoms are less expensive than Surlyn, so you should consider them if you are on a budget. However, if you care more about performance, Surlyn slick bottoms are your best bet. They offer better flexibility and recoil.
Think of tails as the imaginary wheels of a bodyboard. They are responsible for the speed and maneuverability of your board. There are two major tail shapes; bat and crescent tails.
Boards with crescent tails are great for drop-knee and prone surfing because of their good friction with the waves. They are the common choice among professional surfers because of their performance and versatility. Look out for crescent tails with a width of about 17.5 inches to enjoy optimal performance.
Bat tailboards on the other hand are suitable for rail to rail runs and have more projection potential. However, they tend to be loose in the waves because of their wide surfaces.
Size, in terms of height and weight, is one of the key elements to consider before selecting a bodyboard. To select the ideal bodyboard for your body, simply place it in front of you and ensure it covers the length between your knees and chin. For heavier riders, it is advisable to choose a bodyboard with extra width to ensure proper buoyancy and floatation. Another criteria for size is to choose a small board if you will be riding large waves for enhanced control, and a large board for small waves to give more buoyancy.
Stringers are carbon fiber-based tubes or pipes that enhance core strength and overall surfing performance in terms of speed and flexing. A bodyboard can have more than one stringer, but one is usually enough for most. The more stringers in a bodyboard, the more durable it is. However, too many stringers in a bodyboard can make it too rigid for flexing.
If you will be riding majorly in cold waters, a single stringer should be enough for your bodyboard. Double stringers are typically found on boards with HDPE slick bottoms to maintain recoil and rigidity.
Rails refer to the side edges of your bodyboard and they will affect board speed, and how you maneuver or control your bodyboard. A rail has two parts – the chine which is the upper portion, and the lower part simply known as the rail. These two parts determine the two models of rails available 60/40 and 50/50. 60/40 rails have 60% chine and 40% rail. The same applies to the 50/50 rails.
60/40 rails will give more you more control, but less speed, while 50/50 rails offer more speed, with less control. It is up to you to decide which one you want more, but it is best to select one with good control and speed equilibrium.
The price of a bodyboard depends highly on the skill level and age of the intended rider and its features. A bodyboard for adults, for example, will cost more than one for kids and PE cores are cheaper than Polypro. A bodyboard can cost as low as $15 and as high as $400, so it all depends on your preference and how deep your pockets are.
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