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Posted on by Jay Reale
So, you've visited our BOARDS page looking for that new bodyboard, and are even more confused than ever. We carry more than 15 brands of bodyboard, and within each brand are a multitude of choices that can boggle the mind of even the most seasoned bodyboarder. How do you narrow it down?
We have several tools on the site to help you, beginning with our
Board Size Chart. The
Board Size Chart is a chart that lets you plug in your height and weight to determine which length of board you should be looking for, and clickable links that will pull up all the boards we carry in that size.
We also have filters under the
BOARDS link that allows you to view boards by size, brand, core type, tail type, or even by category such as
DROPKNEE BOARDS,
KIDS' BOARDS, etc.
Our site also features a
HOW TO FIND A BOARD tutorial that goes over the basics of how to choose a board based on several factors, and our
BOARD ANATOMY page fills you in on how and what bodyboards are made of.
Need more help? We offer a more personalized and specific recommendation through our
BOOGER PICKER FORM. Fill out the form (make sure to enter your email address correctly!) and former pro bodyboarder
Jay Reale will respond, usually within 24 hours with board recommendations for you personally.
Here's a general guide to help steer you in the right direction. Basically, there are 3 "levels" of boards:
*Entry-level boards- These will have EPS/Styrofoam cores. They are generally glued together and are made to be inexpensive, NOT to be durable or high-performance. Don't expect this class of board to last a long time, but if you are on a budget, they are ideal. They typically come with a
LEASH.
*Mid-level boards- These are marked by having PE (polyethylene) cores. Many of them also have a stringer or two. A stringer is a carbon or graphite rod inserted into the board to maintain rigidity. PE core boards are much more durable and better-performing that EPS core boards, but subsequently cost 2-2 1/2 times more.
*High-end boards- PP (polypropylene) cores are the signature of this level of board. PP core is lighter and a bit stiffer than PE core. It's also less temperature-sensitive than PE. Consequently, it's also more expensive. Nearly all PP core boards we carry have at least one stringer.
A rider in a cool-water location can save a lot of money by going with a PE core board as PE core stays nice and stiff in cooler/colder water. If you live in a tropical location or are traveling to one, and you ride larger waves and/or do more advanced maneuvers, a PP core board is a good idea.
Nearly all PE, and every PP board have stiffening devices added to them in the form of stringers and/or mesh. The more stringers the board has, the less likely it is to over-flex, but also the heavier it will be.
You can read more about bottom skin types, deck contours, and other features on the
BOARD ANATOMY page.
So, that's a brief rundown that should get you started in your hunt for your ideal sponge. If all of this is beyond you, feel free to
contact us during
BUSINESS HOURS and we'll be happy to help.
So, you've visited our BOARDS page looking for that new bodyboard, and are even more confused than ever. We carry more than 15 brands of bodyboard, and within each brand are a multitude of choices that can boggle the mind of even the most seasoned bodyboarder. How do you narrow it down?
We have several tools on the site to help you, beginning with our
Board Size Chart. The
Board Size Chart is a chart that lets you plug in your height and weight to determine which length of board you should be looking for, and clickable links that will pull up all the boards we carry in that size.
We also have filters under the
BOARDS link that allows you to view boards by size, brand, core type, tail type, or even by category such as
DROPKNEE BOARDS,
KIDS' BOARDS, etc.
Our site also features a
HOW TO FIND A BOARD tutorial that goes over the basics of how to choose a board based on several factors, and our
BOARD ANATOMY page fills you in on how and what bodyboards are made of.
Need more help? We offer a more personalized and specific recommendation through our
BOOGER PICKER FORM. Fill out the form (make sure to enter your email address correctly!) and former pro bodyboarder
Jay Reale will respond, usually within 24 hours with board recommendations for you personally.
Here's a general guide to help steer you in the right direction. Basically, there are 3 "levels" of boards:
*Entry-level boards- These will have EPS/Styrofoam cores. They are generally glued together and are made to be inexpensive, NOT to be durable or high-performance. Don't expect this class of board to last a long time, but if you are on a budget, they are ideal. They typically come with a
LEASH.
*Mid-level boards- These are marked by having PE (polyethylene) cores. Many of them also have a stringer or two. A stringer is a carbon or graphite rod inserted into the board to maintain rigidity. PE core boards are much more durable and better-performing that EPS core boards, but subsequently cost 2-2 1/2 times more.
*High-end boards- PP (polypropylene) cores are the signature of this level of board. PP core is lighter and a bit stiffer than PE core. It's also less temperature-sensitive than PE. Consequently, it's also more expensive. Nearly all PP core boards we carry have at least one stringer.
A rider in a cool-water location can save a lot of money by going with a PE core board as PE core stays nice and stiff in cooler/colder water. If you live in a tropical location or are traveling to one, and you ride larger waves and/or do more advanced maneuvers, a PP core board is a good idea.
Nearly all PE, and every PP board have stiffening devices added to them in the form of stringers and/or mesh. The more stringers the board has, the less likely it is to over-flex, but also the heavier it will be.
You can read more about bottom skin types, deck contours, and other features on the
BOARD ANATOMY page.
So, that's a brief rundown that should get you started in your hunt for your ideal sponge. If all of this is beyond you, feel free to
contact us during
BUSINESS HOURS and we'll be happy to help.
