About Us
Family owned in San Clemente
Two former pros. One garage. Helping you ride better waves since 1999.
We're Jay and Vicki Reale, former pro bodyboarders who started eBodyboarding.com in April 1999 from half of our garage in San Clemente, California. Today we run a walk-in warehouse store with one of the largest bodyboarding selections anywhere, and we still answer the questions ourselves.
Whether it's your first board or your fiftieth, we'll help you pick gear that fits your size, your waves, and your budget.
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Our story
Why two pro bodyboarders started a shop
At the end of 1998, both of our sponsor contracts ended at the same time. Vicki had just become the first Australian Women's Pro Champion, and Jay had spent more than a decade on the U.S. and world tours. Pro bodyboarding wasn't going to pay the bills anymore, so Jay started applying for jobs and Vicki started building a website.
Boogie Board inventor Tom Morey had planted the idea of an online bodyboard store, and nobody else was really doing it. We launched eBodyboarding.com on April 15, 1999, with a warehouse that took up half of our garage. Many brands were nervous about selling to an internet store at first. Custom X and Viper said yes first, and we built from there, one board, one fin, one customer at a time.
More than 25 years later we're still a hands-on family business. We've added our own Tribe Boards line, JrGuards.com for junior lifeguard families, and bodyboarding trips around the world. What hasn't changed: we ride what we sell, and we'll tell you honestly what will work for you.
Jay Reale
Co-founder, gear advice and content
Jay grew up in Ocean City, Maryland, and became the East Coast's first bodyboarding champion when he won the bodyboarding division of the 1982 Eastern Surfing Championships. He moved to San Clemente in 1987 to join the U.S. Pro Tour.
- Ranked 5th in the world in 1997 and 6th on the 1998 dropknee tour
- Competed at the Pipeline world championships 17 years in a row
- Two-time U.S. Senior Bodyboarding Champion (2002, 2003)
- Inducted into the Ocean City, Maryland Surfing Hall of Fame (2022) and the first bodyboarder inducted into the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame (2026)
- Host of The Reale Deal Show and webcast commentator for the IBC World Tour
Jay still rides more than 300 days a year and makes our how-to and product review videos.
Ask Jay: jay@ebodyboarding.com
Vicki Reale
Co-founder, products and operations
Vicki grew up in Port Macquarie, Australia, and started bodyboarding in 1989. She turned pro in Hawaii in the winter of 1991, charging spots like Pipeline and Off-The-Wall, and finished in the world tour's year-end Top 10 for several years.
- First Australian Women's Pro Champion (1998)
- 3rd at the 1998 World Surfing Games in Portugal
- Several-time women's World FlowRider Bodyboarding Champion
- First female bodyboarder on the cover of Australia's Riptide Magazine
Today Vicki chooses the products we carry, designs Tribe gear with Jay, and keeps the warehouse running so your order ships right.
Ask Vicki: vicki@ebodyboarding.com
Milestones
From half a garage to a bodyboarding destination
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1999
eBodyboarding.com goes live
We launch on April 15 from a small condo in San Clemente, with half the garage as our warehouse. Custom X and Viper are our first brands.
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2000s
The brands come on board
One by one, the top bodyboard, swimfin, and wetsuit brands join, and riders around the world start ordering from us.
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2018
Tribe Boards and JrGuards.com launch
We start Tribe Boards, our own line of bodyboards and swimfins built from everything we've learned. After our own kids went through San Clemente Junior Guards, we also start JrGuards.com so families can find all their gear in one place.
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2022
Boogie Camp joins the family
We take over Boogie Camp to help kids build a lifelong love of the ocean.
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2024
25 years of eBodyboarding
We celebrate our 25th anniversary with the customers who made it possible.
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Today
A walk-in warehouse in San Clemente
Our 4,000 sq ft warehouse store is open to the public on weekdays, and we run bodyboarding trips to places like Tavarua, Fiji, and Surf Ranch in Lemoore, California.
Why riders shop with us
Expert help, real selection, and a team that rides
Advice from former pros
Not sure what size or shape you need? Take the quiz, call us, or email Jay or Vicki directly.
Take the board quizOur own Tribe gear
Tribe boards and swimfins are designed by Jay and Vicki, from first boards to pro-level shapes.
Shop TribeRewards on every order
Earn 1 Boogie Buck per dollar (5% back), plus 50 when you create an account and 100 on your birthday.
Join Boogie BucksFrom our riders
What customers say
"Great service and support of the bodyboarding community in Southern California. Always have a great range of products from entry level to pro equipment either via online purchase or in person at their warehouse in San Clemente."Patrick, eBodyboarding customer
"Jay and Vicki's trips are freaking epic. I've never been so barreled in my life and all the people are awesome."Chris, Lake Elsinore, CA, trip guest
FAQ
Questions we get every day
Who owns eBodyboarding.com?
eBodyboarding.com is owned and run by former pro bodyboarders Jay and Vicki Reale. We also own Tribe Boards and JrGuards.com. We started the business in San Clemente, California, in 1999 and are still family owned.
Can I visit your store?
Yes. Our warehouse store at 1303 Calle Avanzado, San Clemente, CA 92673 is open to the public Monday to Friday, 10AM to 4:45PM Pacific, closed on major holidays. Call us at 949-361-0848.
How do I choose the right bodyboard size?
Board size depends on your height, weight, riding style, and the waves you ride. The fastest way is our board finder quiz. You can also browse boards by type or call or email us for a personal recommendation.
Do you offer free shipping?
Yes, on qualifying orders: California orders over $75, continental U.S. orders of $150 and up, and Hawaii orders of $150 and up without boards. Some large boards, board bags, and other oversized items are excluded. See shipping rates and times for details.
How fast will my order ship?
We ship Monday to Friday. The daily cutoff is 2PM Pacific, and in most cases you'll get your tracking email within 1 business day. UPS Ground usually arrives in 1-2 business days within California and 2-5 business days across the continental U.S. Some items ship from other warehouses and may take a few extra days.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we ship worldwide. International shipping costs are shown at checkout. Import taxes, duties, or VAT are the customer's responsibility.
What is your return policy?
You can return unused merchandise in brand-new, sellable condition with original packaging within 30 days of purchase. We can't accept returns on plugged bodyboards, wetsuits or swimfins that have been worn in the water, or used items. Adding Redo at checkout ($3.97, U.S. orders) gives you free return shipping. Full details are in our refund policy.
What are Boogie Bucks?
Boogie Bucks is our free rewards program. You earn 1 Boogie Buck for every dollar spent (5% back), 50 for creating an account, 50 for following @ebodyboarding on Instagram, and 100 on your birthday. Learn how to earn and spend them.
What is Tribe Boards?
Tribe is our own brand of bodyboards, swimfins, and apparel, designed by Jay and Vicki. Jay designed the Wolf for prone and dropknee riding, and Vicki designed the Valkyrie for chasing barrels. Shop Tribe.
Can I go on a bodyboarding trip with you?
Yes. We host trips for singles and families, beginners through pros, including the Tavi Tube Tour at Tavarua Island Resort, Fiji, and the Surf Ranch Round Up in Lemoore, California. See upcoming trips.
I'm brand new to bodyboarding. Where should I start?
Download our free beginner's bodyboarding guide. It covers putting on fins, catching whitewater, paddling, duck diving, and trimming. Then take the board quiz or check out our bundles for an easy starter setup.
Come say hi
Visit our San Clemente warehouse
See the boards in person, try on fins, and get advice from people who ride. You may even catch Jay or Vicki on the floor.
1303 Calle Avanzado, San Clemente, CA 92673
Monday to Friday, 10AM to 4:45PM Pacific
Closed major holidays
Phone: 949-361-0848
Ready to find your next board?
Answer a few quick questions and we'll match you with boards that fit your size and your waves.
Take the board quiz Shop all bodyboards