Which bodyboard should I buy?
Bodyboard size depends on your height, weight and skill level. As a general guideline, beginners should sekect a bodyboard that reaches their belly button while standing. Intermediate and advanced riders may prefer a slightly shorter board for increased maneuvrability. Size Matters: Start with a board length that reaches your belly button when standing. Adjust for your height, weight, and ability. Serious riders need the right fit for control and performance. Width & Thickness (Volume): Heavier riders need more volume (wider, thicker boards) for buoyancy and speed.There are many factors to consider when choosing the right length board for you. Both your height and weight should be considered when deciding on a board size. For example, taller and heavier bodyboarders may want to size up on bodyboard length, as longer or wider and thicker boards offer more volume or floatation.If you’re going to be riding big waves primarily, you should choose a shorter bodyboard. A smaller bodyboard will give you more control and agility as more of your body is in the water. If the surf you’re going to be riding are small waves, a longer board will give you more buoyancy and stability in the water.A bigger wakeboard is better if you want more stability and control, it will also give you a little more height on jumps. A smaller wakeboard will be better suited if you want a more manoeuvrable board and want to learn spin tricks.
Are bigger bodyboards better?
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. Durability: Due to the lower-grade materials and construction, cheap bodyboards are less durable and more susceptible to damage from rough waves, extended use, or exposure to sunlight and saltwater.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.
Is bodyboarding harder than surfing?
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 a fantastic workout that helps you improve your cardiovascular health, muscular strength, and endurance. When you’re paddling and catching waves, you’re engaging in a full-body workout that can help you burn calories and build lean muscle.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.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.While you can bodyboard without fins, it’s close to surfing without arms — essentially, when bodyboarding, you’re using your legs to propel yourself and catch waves. This is unlike surfing, where you’re using your arms to paddle in and catch as many waves as possible.