Buying the best bodyboard relies on certain factors that must be considered. Bodyboards, also known as boogie boards are an updated version of surfboards with some modifications and differences in the way they are used.

The best bodyboard as an all rounder is the WAVE WEAPON Super Lightweight that offers a wide ranging weight capacity and sizes for all ages.

They are common in almost all beach towns because of their sporting function along the beaches. Bodyboards are employed in a sport called bodyboarding. Bodyboarding is popular because the surfers ride the boards lying down.

Best Bodyboards and Boogie Boards for All Ages

Best Bodyboards	Weight Limit	Ages
WAVE WEAPON	60 - 120+ LBS	All Ages
THURSO SURF	150-250 LBS	Adults
Lucky Bums	65 - 190 LBS	Children
Morey Big Kahuna	250 + LBS	Large Adults
California Board Company	60 - 120+ LBS	All Ages

It is easier and possible for all regardless of their fitness, experience or age. It just involves jumping on the bodyboard and having fun on the water.

Although the game hasn’t taken root as compared to surfing, there is some room for developing real wave-riding skills. It’s imperative therefore to know the required considerations to make when buying a bodyboard.

Whether you are a beginner, professional or someone looking for great fun. Below is a list of the best bodyboards to get you catching waves with ease no matter your size.

WAVE WEAPON Super Lightweight Bodyboard

The WAVE Weapon beach bodyboard is part of the lightweight range, which includes two sizes that include a 37 and 41 inch boards. The latter is suitable for surfers over 120 pounds and the 37 inch board is suitable for people between 60 and 120 pounds.

This bodyboard is for both adults and children and includes a leash that you attach to your arm or legs so that it doesn’t get lost in the waters. With colors ranging from blue, green and pink, the whole family can be catered for.

The manufacturers “Own the Wave” are a family run business and swear by their bodyboards. They are so proud and confident that they offer a years warranty against any defects. I find this pretty impressive considering I have bought similar bodyboards on holiday that are ready for the bin after a few days.

Overall the WAVE Weapon bodyboard is great value for money, high quality, good performance and all round one of the best bodyboards for the money.

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THURSO SURF Lightweight Bodyboard

If budget is not an issue and you are wanting to buy a high speed bodyboard, the THURSO SURF Lightweight Bodyboard is a great option.

The bodyboard is made with high density polyethylene that adds to the stiffness, which increases the board speed on the waves. To ensure the board remains in perfect condition, there is a 4mm high density IXPE desk that is sealed up with heat lamination.

It has a length of 42 inches and a width of 21.5 inches and is suited towards adults. Although the THURSO SURF Lightweight Bodyboard is expensive, it offers great quality and is the fastest bodyboard on the waves.

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Lucky Bums Bodyboard

Another popular bodyboard that you will see on US beaches are the ones produced by Lucky Bums. They are one of the best cheap bodyboards to buy with a range of colors and sizes to cater for every individual.

With 33, 37 and 41 inch boards available with a weight range of 65, 122 and 190 pounds, all children will be able to get a perfect fit.

Thanks to a dynamic design that features rails, rear channels and high density polyethylene bottom side, the Lucky Bums board is able to have great speeds and maneuverability in the water with ease. The core of the bodyboard is made from EPS core, which gives it the strength as well as lightweight capabilities.

The built-in wrist strap ensure that the bodyboard is not lost at sea and it comes with a lifetime limited warranty against factory defects, which is very impressive.

Overall, the Lucky Bums beach board is the best bodyboard for children and is reasonable priced, which reflects in its popularity.

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Morey Big Kahuna 44″ Bodyboard

If you are a heavy guy (or girl) and looking for the best bodyboard for heavy people, then look no further. I’am 6 foot 5 and weighing over 250 pounds and searching for the perfect bodyboard is hard. The majority of boards do not provide adequate buoyancy for large people, which results in a poor experience.

If you are larger than 5 foot 10 inches and over 185 pounds, this bodyboard will provide the best performance. The larger board means that catching waves is a lot easier than the smaller bodyboards that the majority of other riders are using.

You will be paying a premium for this bodyboard for larger adults however, its worth the money. Think of it this way, if you bought a cheaper small bodyboard, you will have poor floating qualities and you will end up not enjoying it as you should.

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California Board Company Switch Bodyboard

The California Board Company are known for their high quality boards with sturdy frames that are very lightweight. They are priced relatively well but not the cheapest but you do get more choice in terms of colors and sizes.

The CBC Bodyboard is for all sizes and ages and is proven to be very popular throughout the US. If you are after a durable bodyboard that will last longer than just one holiday, this board is a good alternative.

It is by far one of the best bodyboards as an all rounder with a large weight range and sizes available for all ages.

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Weight and Size

Buying the best Bodyboard depends on your weight, height, and experience. Bodyboards come in different sizes; small and big. Riding these various boards has different experiences, and therefore you must choose a bodyboard basing on these two factors.

The size of Bodyboard is significant because riding on a wrong size can cause accidents. Before paying for the bodyboard ensure it reaches your belly button when stood on the floor. You can also hold it in front of you and fit it between your chin and the top of your knees.

A short bodyboard will leave your legs trailing in the water thus making your movement slower. It’s advisable to shop for a big bodyboard for smaller waves and normal-sized bodyboard when the waves are average. A smaller board works well in big or shabby waves.

Main Features of a BodyBoard

The materials used to make bodyboards are mainly plastics. High-quality boards have a foam core, and a plastic bottom called the slick. They also have a deck and rails made of softer foam. In most cases, the slick is coated in surlyn which helps the board to cruise faster through the waves.

The front part of the board is called the nose whereas the back is referred to as the tail and the top of the board is the top part. Many boards have graphite rods running inside the board, down its length. These bars are called stringers, and they serve to strengthen and spring the board for stability during the cruise.

Beach Bodyboard Styles

The bodyboard comes in different styles. Some have narrow noses while others are broad. The tail can either be batwing or crescent shaped. The board can either be flat or have a rocker. A rocker implies that the sides of the board bend slightly upwards.

When compared to the surfboards, the bodyboards lack fins or skegs that are always attached to the surfboards. This feature makes them easier to maneuver. In most cases, body boarders wear swim fins on their feet.

The fins serve the same purpose as the skegs. Additionally, the boards are of different widths, lengths, and colors. The availability of various types of boards means that there are different ways in which they handle on the water. Making the right choice depends on personal preferences, the kind of the wave that the buyer wishes to ride and the preferred style of riding.

Buying a bodyboard requires good knowledge on the accessories used. Proper knowledge informs the buyer’s decision when choosing the appropriate board. Here are the main accessories associated with bodyboards.

The main body accessories include swim fins, leash, and wax. Swim fins are either short or long. The long ones are powerful for paddling and match the speed of the waves. Short fins enhance maneuverability of the board. The choice of the fins depends on the preference of the buyer.

The leash is another essential accessory for bodyboarders who are new in the game. It is prudent to get a leash when purchasing a board because without the leashes it’s easier to lose the board when you fall off during the cruise. A buoyant bodyboard helps to paddle back to the shore thereby preventing the rider from getting weary. With leashes, the rider can attach the straps to the wrist or upper arm. It’s impossible for the riders to fall off the board when riding with bicep leashes.

Another important accessory to consider when buying a bodyboard is wax. Getting the appropriate wax that can help sustain the board in different types of water in essential. The softer wax is easy to apply but melts off quickly in warm water. Waxing of the boards depends on the riding style preferred by the rider; for instance, whether he prefers to ride drop knee or prone and whether the drop knee rider is left or right footed. Other essential accessories include a storage bag, car rack, and a wetsuit.

Beach Bodyboard Buying Guide

An ideal bodyboard should reach approximately 2inches above the rider’. Smaller boards are appropriate for big and high waves, whereas longer boards work best in smaller waves. The width of the board should be wide enough to fit comfortably under the rider’s arm.

If you are heavily built, you should buy a relatively wide board.Additionally, the best match for a boogie boarder hugely depends on personal preference and the style of riding. Prone riders mostly choose bat-tailed boards that have wide noses while crescent-tailed boards with narrow noses fit perfectly with the drop-knee riders.

Material Used in Making the Board

Knowing the type of equipment used for making the board helps you know how to care for the board. The two core materials used for making boogie boards are polypropylene foam and Dow polyethylene.

Despite the heavy nature of Dow it has an excellent projection, solid performance in colder water and offers a superb flex. The two factors explain why Dow has been used for many years in making the boards. Considering the material used guides you on how to use the board in different water; cold, warm or hot.

On the other hand, the polypro boards are light in nature and a little bit stiff as compared to Dow. However, they can be too stiff when stringered in cold water. The key in choosing an ideal board is considering the combination of the two material in one board. Luckily, new 3D cores have sandwiched layers of both PP and PP foams.

The Choice of a Stringer

Another consideration is the selection of the stringer used on the board. A stringer is a tube that runs down through the center of the board, making a solid spine for the boogie board.It strengthens the core thereby increasing the projection and providing an instant recoil.

The Convenience of Tails

The tails provide a point where water leaves the bottom of the board. Different shapes of the boat have different effects. There are four main types of tails, which are classified as crescent and bat shapes.

When buying a board, you should consider the width of the tail because of the wider the tail, the more stable and faster the board. The narrow board makes it easier for the board to maneuver during the bodyboarding.

Rails and Rail Angles

A rail is an edge of the bodyboard which helps in planning through the waves. Steep rails result in more bites which provide the rider an increased control during boarding. However, the steep rails reduce the riders drive. A shallow angle means less resistance which translates to increased speed.

However, it also makes it hard to turn because of the decrease in the vacuum. When buying the board ensure the rails have a 60/40 or 50/50 guise to be assured of an appropriate rail angle of between 30 to 36 degrees, and a stable balance of the drive.

The Chine

The chine primarily refers to the deck area that bends round to join the other side of the rail. The rail wraps over the rails and creates a vacuum that sucks the displaced water from under the boat. The displaced water wraps around the board onto the chine in the same way it does with the rails. Before buying the guide ensure the surface of the chine doesn’t have defects.

The Width of the Board

Buyers must consider the size of the wide point when buying a bodyboard. The wide point refers to the broadest past of the board’s template, running from one rail to the other. The floatation and ability of the board to maneuver depends on the wider point.

A wide board provides greater buoyancy as compared to thinner boards. However, wide boards make turning difficult. This reason explains why manufacturers have designed narrower boards for the past decade.

The Nose-to-Wide Point

This is the space between the nose and the widest point of the board. The overall shape and the template depend entirely on the widest point of the board. If you are a prone rider who rotates, drives and balances from the elbow you should consider buying a board with a high wider point because it provides a great surface area towards the front of the board.

The Thickness of the Board

Another important consideration when buying a bodyboard is the thickness of the board. Recent changes have seen the production of many thinner boards, approximately dropping from 55mm to 51mm.

The thinner the board, the lower the buoyancy. However, thinner boards have the advantage of maneuverability. Conversely, the thicker boards increase speed due to their bigger volume but affect the rail-to-rail riding. The choice of the thickness depends on one’s preference of agility and speed.

Buyers who want speed and big carves should choose thicker boards, while those who prefer maneuverability should go for the thinner boards.

The Rocker

Rocker refers to the gentle upward curve of the board. It recommended having slight rockers that are more focused towards the front of the board. A great rocker provides a loose ride, ironically, an excessive rocker results to a dog. Similarly, less rocker implies a faster ride with less maneuverability.

It is recommended to buy a predominantly flat board. Rocker always occurs as the material wear off. Excessive exposure to heat increases the possibility of a rocker affecting the board. The foam of the deck expands naturally and at a quicker rate than the slick. As the board wears off, it develops the most feared reverse rocker.

Taking Care of your Bodyboard

After buying your board, it’s imperative to take good care of your valuable possession. Riders understand that taking good care of the board is an assurance of long time service delivery. No one wants to buy a new board after one month of careless use.

Although Bodyboards come at an affordable cost, you can’t dispose of them off. Good care of the board involves protecting it from saline water. Always remember to rinse the boards in fresh water after use in salt water.

You should also protect your board from extreme temperatures that might damage the surface of the board or cause premature reverse rocker. You are discouraged to leave the board in a closed car on a hot day because it may cause the surface to bubble. Always store the board in a clean bag with the nose down.

Bodyboard Buying Guide Conclusion

Bodyboarding is currently one of the favorite water sports in the world. Unlike other water sports, bodyboarding is the easiest to learn and play. Although some surfboarders despise bodyboarding, the rate of which it keeps on attracting new players should not be ignored.

This reality means that the demand for bodyboards & boogie boards is on the rise. A sound board is an essential need for all existing and prospective bodyboarders. Having enough knowledge on how to buy the best board helps the buyers get value for their money. This guide is exhaustive and will be helpful to all who want to buy the boards.

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