What is the best material for a body board?
PE, or (Polyethylene), has been a staple material in bodyboard manufacturing since the mid-1970s. Known for its exceptional durability and excellent recoil, it offers impressive control and responsiveness. PE Core is the original Bodyboard Core. PE Stands for PolyEthylene, This foam is commonly used as packing material as it is very soft & forgiving. This is the choice of core for beginner to intermediate boogie boards.PP, (Polypropylene), is the ultimate core material for bodyboarding. PP cores offer a lightweight and high-performance experience. With 100% waterproof properties, it remains lightweight throughout the board’s lifespan.
How do you choose the right bodyboard?
Even half an inch the wrong way can affect your ability to catch waves and make manoeuvres. When held out in front of you, your ideal bodyboard should reach from your knees up to your chin. Heavier riders are advised to choose a template with increased width for extra flotation and buoyancy. The length of your bodyboard depends on your height for the most part. Back in the day, traditional bodyboards were all 42. Fortunately today they come in many sizes to fit everyone out there from kids to adults and even bigger riders!Rider Weight and Height: Generally, the size of the bodyboard should correspond to the rider’s weight and height. As a rule of thumb, smaller boards (around 37-40 inches) are suited for lighter and shorter riders, while larger boards (around 42-46 inches) are better for heavier and taller riders.To determine what size Bodyboard you need, it is a generally accepted rule of thumb that you should look for a board that, when stood on the floor, reaches your belly button. Another way to size you board is to make sure that when the Bodyboard is held out in front of you it reaches from your knees to your chin.Small Wave Bodyboarding: If you intend to mainly Bellyboard in white water, small and slow breaking waves then we recommend getting a Body Board slightly taller than the height of your belly button. If you are larger, we would recommend going slightly wider too as extra buoyancy is beneficial on smaller days.Bigger bodyboards are not necessarily better; it depends on your size, weight, and skill level. Larger boards offer more buoyancy and stability but can be less manoeuvrable.
How to choose body board size?
General Fit: When standing, the board should reach from the ground to your belly button or from your chin to your knees. Wave Conditions: For smaller, weaker waves: Choose a slightly larger board for more float and easier paddling. For bigger, more powerful waves: Opt for a slightly smaller board for better control. With sessions usually lasting anywhere from half an hour to three hours, bodyboarding improves your cardiovascular fitness as your lungs and heart work hard to pump blood to your muscles. As you advance, you will find that paddling for waves requires a substantial amount of strength.Bodyboarding is a great way to improve muscle strength throughout the body. Using your arms to paddle out and kicking with fins builds lean muscle in the arms and legs. The paddling motion is a strenuous workout for the legs and glutes. The ride itself works out another group of muscles, the core.Approaching bodyboarding as a beginner Hold the front part of the board, also known as the nose, with your hands, keeping your arms flexed. Your abdomen should rest on the back part of the board, known as the tail. The paddling motion towards the waves is done with your arms and legs.Avoid bodyboarding in bad weather or in conditions that are beyond your ability level. Wear the Right Equipment: Always wear a properly fitting wetsuit and leash to help keep you safe in the water. A wetsuit will provide buoyancy and warmth, while a leash will keep you connected to your board.
Is bodyboarding safe for kids?
It’s also widely considered a much safer sport as the boards are made from foam and they avoid the sharp edges and fins synonymous with surfing. What better way to introduce your child to the ocean! Due to the nature of bodyboarding, your child’s lower centre of gravity increases the feeling of speed. Usually, wax is needed in the areas where your hands grab the board, along the rails, in your chest, lower abdominal area, elbows, arms, and hips. Waxing your bodyboard in these zones will reduce the chances of wipeouts in bigger barreling wave conditions.When it comes to bodyboarding, ensuring your board is correctly waxed is key to performance and comfort. Bodyboard wax increases grip, prevents slippage, and offers a more stable and controlled ride.What happens if you don’t wax a snowboard/ski? If you don’t wax your snowboard regularly, the base of the board can become dry and damaged, reducing its glide and overall performance.While bodyboarding may offer an easier initial learning curve, both sports have their unique challenges, joys, and intricacies. The surfer vs bodyboard debate is less about which is easier and more about individual preferences.
Are bigger body boards better?
A small board provides greater control but less speed, a large board allows you to go quicker and have more projection during maneuvers. Generally bigger boards are faster, but not as easy to control, and generally suited to smaller waves and beginners. On the other hand smaller boards are a bit harder to generate speed, however, have greater control and are ideal for bigger waves and more advanced riders.
What is the best bodyboard for a beginner?
Softer-flex bodyboards (typically EPS and PE bodyboards) are going to be more forgiving and be easier to turn. A soft flex is good for beginners, and riders with lower body weights. Softer-flex bodyboards tend to be a little slower in smaller sized waves but can be helpful in hollow or bigger waves with power. What is the difference between bodyboard and boogie boarding? The term boogie boarding comes from Morey, coining the bodyboards “Boogie Boards”. Bodyboarding is name for the sport itself but in essence, there is no difference between the two. Boogie Boards” were invented on July 7, 1971 by Tom Morey.This is a question that has been posed since I began riding these boards in the late 1970s and I still get asked this to this day! It’s a valid question. The short answer is, they are one and the same! The Boogie Board was actually not called that at all when Tom Morey built the first one in July of 1971.A body board (also known as a boogie board) is much more compact and lightweight, designed for riding waves close to the shore while lying down on your stomach. Unlike a paddle board, a body board is generally made of softer, flexible materials like foam, allowing it to absorb the impact of waves.Bodyboards offer more stability than surfboards. There are no age limitations for bodyboard, even children can learn it. It is very easy to transport and move a Bodyboard, given its light weight. Bodyboards are very cheap and easy to buy; they are also very flexible and have great resistance for big waves.
Are body boards safe?
Some potential dangers associated with Bodyboarding include: Drowning: As with any water activity, there is always a risk of drowning, especially if the rider is not a strong swimmer or is unfamiliar with the ocean conditions. Kids under 5 years old should not ride skateboards. Children 6–10 years old should be closely supervised by an adult whenever they ride a skateboard.Children aged 6,7 and 8 must be accompanied by an adult in the water. Those who have never experience bodyboarding, or who are looking to develop their confidence and skills in a safe environment.