What is the proper name for a boogie board?
Boogie Board is a brand name and once it was trademarked other companies were forced to market their versions as ‘bodyboards. So to most of us, who don’t really care about legal trademarks, we can call them boogie boards or bodyboards. 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.Boogie Board is a brand name and once it was trademarked other companies were forced to market their versions as ‘bodyboards. So to most of us, who don’t really care about legal trademarks, we can call them boogie boards or bodyboards. But there is more to the story.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.Bodyboarding is also referred to as Boogieboarding due to the invention of the Boogie Board by Tom Morey in 1971. The average bodyboard consists of a short, rectangular piece of hydrodynamic foam. Bodyboarders typically use swim fins for additional propulsion and control while riding a breaking wave.
Why do they call them boogie boards?
The term boogie board itself has an interesting origin. Tom morey named it after his love for the blues music genre, often referred to as boogie-woogie. He thought the name captured the joyful and carefree spirit of the sport, and it stuck. Anyone who has been involved in the sport of bodyboarding knows that tom morey, an inventor, musician, surfer, entrepreneur, mathematician and engineer originally from michigan crafted the first modern bodyboard, which he called the boogie (see our blog post about this) in 1971.Boogie boarding, also called bodyboarding, is a form of wave riding that can be practiced as a casual recreational activity or as a serious sport. Choose a boogie board based on your weight and height, and get all the necessary gear, like a leash, rashguard, fins, and wax.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.Over time, “boogie board” became a widely used term for all wave-riding boards, especially those designed for casual beachgoers and kids. A bodyboard, on the other hand, is the correct term for the sport and the board itself.While it is not traditional nor typical, to stand on a Boogie Board, if you are experienced enough, you can definitely stand on a bodyboard.
Why do surfers hate boogie boarders?
One of the reasons why (some) surfers (still) hate bodyboarders is because boogie boarders ride anything – even a closeout wave. Fortunately, times are changing, and the oldest and fiercest rivalry in the history of boardsports is fading away. 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.Bodyboarding is definitely not lame, it is a transitionary sport to surfing, allows the boarder to enjoy various sized ocean swells and gives you an excellent way to exercise.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.Bodyboarding has a much easier learning curve than surfing and is physically less demanding, partly because you’re prone instead of required to “pop up” into your surf stance and balance standing on a board on a moving wave.Paddleboarding is all about balance. You will have to keep yourself balanced to stay on the board, but you can move at your own pace. This is the perfect sport for beginners because you are able to go at your own speed and make it as laid back or rigorous as you want.
What is a boogie board vs bodyboard?
Over time, “boogie board” became a widely used term for all wave-riding boards, especially those designed for casual beachgoers and kids. A bodyboard, on the other hand, is the correct term for the sport and the board itself. Surfing is much more difficult for the beginner to get to the point where you’re catching waves and noticing improvement overall in how you’re doing with it than bodyboarding is.You should have foundational swimming knowledge and experience. In bodyboarding, swimming is essential, and to safely enjoy the experience, you must know how to swim. If you don’t know how to swim, you can start with swimming lessons to get ready for more advanced watersports.Longboarding & Skateboarding The board sport is most similar to surfing. Longboarding and skateboarding evolved from surfers wanting to ride waves on land.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.
What is the difference between cheap and expensive bodyboards?
Entry-level bodyboards may lack durability and can break easily, especially if exposed to rough waves and prolonged use. More expensive boards have a stronger cores, often have stringers (strengthening strips of wood running down their length) and are generally much stronger and will last a lot longer. Shortboards are commonly preferred for high-performance maneuvers in smaller waves, while longer boards or guns are chosen for larger, more powerful waves. The variety in shapes and sizes allows professionals to adapt to diverse surf conditions around the world.If you’re riding is mostly bigger waves, consider a bodyboard on the shorter end of your optimal size range. If you are a more of an advanced rider consider a shorter board for maneuverability. If you are a beginner, aim for a longer board in your size range.Egg surfboards are usually 6 to 8. Shortboards, on the other hand, are about 5 to 7 feet long. As you can see, there’s an area where egg surfboards and shortboards share the same length but are still considered two different things.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.