Are you new to bodyboarding? Have you ever been on the lookout for concepts and inspiration for a few of the finest bodyboards within the UK? Nicely, look no additional as a result of this text is aimed to offer you all the data you want.
Bodyboarding is a basic and with simply over half one million individuals within the UK, it’s additionally one of many hottest watersports as a result of it’s relativity easy to do and low-cost to get going.
The issue is:
Shopping for a brand new bodyboard isn’t a brilliant simple expertise, and shopping for the improper board may imply you could have much less enjoyable on the water.
You’re at all times hoping your new bodyboard goes to glide via waves with ease, however this isn’t at all times the case.
For those who’re on the lookout for the most effective bodyboard, it is advisable to know what attributes make a good board. And earlier than I introduce you to a few of the finest bodyboards within the UK, I’m first going to elucidate what to search for.
What to search for in a bodyboard
As I discussed earlier than, for those who don’t know what you’re on the lookout for when buying a bodyboard, there’s a great likelihood you’ll find yourself with a dud.
I imply, you may get fortunate, however you actually received’t have a bodyboard that glides via the waves.
So, on this part, I wish to checklist a few of the key elements you need to be searching for when selecting the most effective bodyboards:
Dimension
Probably the most important components to have a look at once you purchase a bodyboard is the dimensions. If the bodyboard is just too small, you’re going to battle to catch waves (which IS the first goal).
However…
For those who get a bodyboard that’s too large, you’re going to battle to manage it, which isn’t one thing you need once you’re taking part in round in waves subsequent to different individuals.
So, what do you have to be on the lookout for?
Nicely, beneath, I’ve compiled a fundamental information so that you can observe. However one factor I need to level out is that this information is predicated on assuming persons are on the common weight to their weight.
However what for those who’re heavier than your common top?
If that is so for you, the best choice is to get the larger board; you’ll want the added buoyancy if you wish to get on the wave simply.
Bodyboard dimension information
| Riders Peak | Board Size |
| Underneath 4ft | 32” |
| 4ft to 5ft | 36” – 38” |
| 5ft to five’3ft | 39” |
| 5’4ft to five’6ft | 40” |
| 5’7ft to five’9ft | 41” |
| 5’10ft to 6ft | 42” |
| 6ft to six’2ft | 43” |
| 6’2ft to six’5ft | 44” |
Earlier than going out and shopping for any outdated bodyboard, be sure you examine the chart to see which one fits your wants the most effective.
One other approach of determining roughly what dimension bodyboard you want is to measure from the ground to your stomach button. The size of the board needs to be not more than 2 inches above or beneath that top.
Board for rookies
Beginning a brand new sport isn’t a simple activity, and it’s important you could have the best instruments for the job.
However there are two issues I see all the time:
- Newcomers purchase the most cost effective mannequin they’ll discover as a result of they don’t know if they are going to get pleasure from it.
- Or they purchase the most effective one they’ll discover (which is normally suited to intermediates and above) and hope they’ll trip it.
Each of those methods received’t make it easier to. For those who get a brilliant low-cost bodyboard, the possibilities are it’s not going to do the game any justice.
And for those who go for the most costly, it’s going to be too superior for you, and also you’re going to battle to trip.
Each of those choices find yourself with you losing cash and never giving the game a good likelihood. So, for those who’re a newbie, I’d be careful for these options to ensure you could have enjoyable:
- EPS – Expanded Polystyrene: These cores are very hardy, light-weight and float exceptionally effectively, making them excellent for rookies.
- Single Stringer: It can offer you a superb stability between rigidity when you paddle and flex on the wave.
- HDPE Slick: It’s essentially the most sturdy slick, making them excellent for rookies. Not solely are they sturdy, however they provide glorious velocity on small or damaged waves.
For me, that is the most effective mixture of encompasses a newbie can have on their bodyboard with out breaking the financial institution.
Boards for intermediates +
For these of you who’ve damaged the newbie stage and wish to begin driving waves over 1 meter, you will be on the lookout for a extra superior bodyboard.
For those who’re taking bodyboarding extra critically, you’ve in all probability already bought a set of fins. For those who haven’t, you’re going to want fins hooked up to your toes for a lot of these boards.
So, what options are you on the lookout for for those who’re breaking into the intermediates + zone of bodyboarding?
Let’s have a look:
- PE – Polyethylene: For those who’re bodyboarding in colder waters, then this fashion of core is really useful. It’s softer and extra versatile, which improves the turning skill.
- EPO – Expanded Polyolefin: The high-density type supplies rigidity and power so you may attain most velocity.
- PP – Polypropylene: This materials is normally discovered in additional skilled fashion boards however excels in hotter water. The fabric is stiffer, lighter and stronger than the counterpart PE.
- Double Stringer: This helps hold the rigidity and recoil of the bodyboard. Drop knee riders additionally favour it due to the flex it receives when backside turning can recoil extra vitality.
- Surlyn Slick: It makes the board extra responsive and versatile than your common slick. You’ll additionally discover a rise in velocity and might flex simply to the form of the wave.
These are the options you need to be on the lookout for for those who’re planning to take your bodyboarding recreation to the subsequent degree.
Get one thing that may final…
One of many largest issues within the UK is individuals shopping for low-cost bodyboards that don’t final for much longer than a day. Sadly on a summer time day in Cornwall, you discover 100’s of low-cost bodyboards dumped on the seashore after they’ve been used for a single session. Now, this received’t flip into an eco lecture, however everyone knows single-use plastic isn’t a good suggestion…
For those who’re planning on shopping for your first bodyboard, try to discover one which’s going to final some time, so that you’re not polluting the seashores and landfills with bodyboards.
Or, for those who’re simply wanting to make use of one for the weekend, you may take into account renting a picket board as an alternative of shopping for one.
Finest bodyboards for rookies and intermediates
Youngsters Boards
Decathlon – Bodyatu Youngsters Bodyboard
Decathlon is a French sporting items retailer which is understood across the globe for offering financial high-quality tools. And as we speak, I wish to introduce you to the Bodyatu bodyboard for kids.
From £24.99 – View on Decathlon
The bodyboard is made with a polystyrene core and material exterior and isn’t appropriate for damaged waves over 50 cm.
The bodyboard is designed for 4 to 8-year outdated’s which might be wanting ahead to catching their first wave out on the open ocean. Due to the handles on the entrance of the bodyboard, it’s a superb selection for a kid with much less confidence.
The cheaper supplies used on this bodyboard means you solely must pay £24.99. So, it’s the proper selection for those who will solely be utilizing it each every now and then.
ACS – Salt Water Seeker SWS01
ACS is the personal model of Ann’s Cottage, which is born and bred in Cornwall and is among the largest surf retailers within the UK.
From £39.99 – View all ACS children bodyboards on Ann’s Cottage
Ann’s Cottage have produced a very talked-about bodyboard vary for teenagers and adults, known as Salt Water Seeker. The bodyboard is constructed with a buoyant, sturdy excessive compression core and a PCX slick.
I’d advocate this bodyboard for the 8–12 12 months outdated children who’re beginning to progress within the sport. Ann’s Cottage says the board is suited to each inclined and drop-knee kinds, so it’s excellent for a kid that’s making an attempt to push their boundaries to the subsequent degree.
The bodyboard makes use of a extra advanced set of supplies, which can set you again £39.99. However for this value, you’ll get a top quality board that doesn’t break the financial institution.
Newbie Boards
Hydro – Zapper
Hydro bodyboards provide an ideal mixture of enjoyable, efficiency and high quality at a funds to newbie bodyboarders. And the Hydro Zapper bodyboard is among the standout boards of their product line.
From £39.95 – View on Surfdome
The Zapper is constructed with an EPS core that’s versatile which is nice from management, plus it’s fairly sturdy. Additionally they added an HDPE slick to the bodyboard, which is ideal for rookies. This sturdy HDPE slick provides good velocity on smaller and damaged waves.
Though this bodyboard is sturdy with its EPS core and HDPE slick, it’s solely received a single stringer, suggesting that it’s nonetheless actually for individuals who don’t plan on tackling large waves.
The Hydro Zapper bodyboard goes to set you again between £39.95 – £41.95, relying on what dimension it is advisable to go for.
Gul – Response
Gul has been on the forefront of water sports activities for a great 50 years now and helped to extend technical growth for water sports activities attire within the UK. Their Response vary is among the hottest within the UK, excellent for individuals who wish to strive bodyboarding with a good began board.
From £39.95 – View on Amazon
They used an EPO core on the bodyboard, which provides numerous power and stiffness to the board. Add this with the HDPE slick, and you’ve got a bodyboard that may minimize via the waves and maintain a great quantity of velocity.
As with all of the boards within the first part of this checklist, these should not tremendous excessive efficiency however it’ll be numerous enjoyable for individuals who simply wish to play within the waves and get a really feel for bodyboarding.
And in the case of value, it retails at round £40, however the costs can range spending on the place you buy it from.
Decathlon – Radbug 500
Decathlon do some watersports very well, their paddleboard, kayak and bodyboard vary is critically up there when it comes to worth. Amongst a few of their higher merchandise is the Radbug 500.
From £59.99 – View on Decathlon
The bodyboard is made with an EPO core to supply power and velocity to the board. And so they additionally added double stringers to additional add to the rigidity, which is kind of superb for this value. These two options alone make it excellent for waves below 1.5 metres.
I’d advocate this bodyboard for individuals which have been bodyboarding just a few instances earlier than.
One other factor to notice is it’s just a little bit dearer than some newbie boards at £59.99, however that’s as a result of it’s pushing intermediate standing.
Dick Pearce – Surf Membership Slider
For those who’re on the lookout for one thing a bit completely different, the Dick Pearce Surf Membership is a superb possibility. They aimed to construct merchandise with long-lasting sustainability and to help British producers.
From £55 – View on Dick Pearce
So, welcome to the Surfer Membership Slider. It’s made with high-quality and sustainable 9mm birch plywood. That is glorious for those who wish to assist shield our oceans by decreasing using chemical compounds.
The Surfer Membership Slider was aimed on the newbie bodyboarder that likes to maintain the sustainability of the planet in thoughts. The supplies are solely recyclable and non-toxic, so there’s nothing to fret about.
On the subject of value, it’s not low-cost, however that is as a result of manufacturing course of the bodyboard goes via. You’ll be able to anticipate to pay £55 for this beautiful bodyboard, however it is a low value for sustainability.
Two Naked Ft – 44″ Bodyboard
The Two Naked Ft firm was based again in 1994, with the unique retailer opening in Torquay, on the South Devon coast.
From £37.99 – View on Amazon
The Two Naked Ft bodyboard has an EPS core that’s tremendous sturdy, light-weight, and has good buoyancy, which makes it excellent for rookies. And to enhance the elasticity, they used an HDPE slick backside.
Each of those options make this bodyboard excellent for a newbie that’s seeking to choose up some velocity on the water. Additionally they are available various colors, so you may match them to your fashion once you make the acquisition.
This entry-level board is among the hottest on-line.
For those who’re buying the Two Naked Ft bodyboard, it can set you again round £37.99, which isn’t too dangerous for what you get.
Intermediate +
NMD – Evo
Nick Mesritz is the shaper behind NMD boards and is broadly thought to be the most effective on the earth. They’ve produced a few of the finest bodyboards over the previous 10 years and at all times deal with high-end high quality. NMD boards are for individuals who wish to take their bodyboarding critically.
From £139.99 – View on Shore Watersports
This board has an Ethafoam™ PE core and PE deck, which for those who keep in mind from our purchaser’s information above Polyethylene provides much better efficiency and is extra sturdy than EPS core boards.
The premium-grade WaveSlick backside, XFL nostril and tail armour, and double plastic and carbon composite stringers will give the board far more power and guarantee it can final for years and years.
I like the extra options such because the channels on the deck that helps together with your palms gripping the board for superior management.
At £139.99 this board isn’t for rookies, however for individuals who desire a premium board that performs effectively in all circumstances.
Alder – Apex AX04
Apex is understood for making a few of the finest bodyboards you should purchase. The world’s finest bodyboard designers manufacture them. And there’s no higher choice to introduce you to than the Apex AX04.
From £109 – View on Bodyboard HQ
They designed the board with a polypro/EPS mix known as Sper, making the core extra strong than ever whereas offering loads of spring and recoil. And for its dimension, it’s one of the vital buoyant bodyboards on the earth.
For those who hold updated with bodyboarding occasions, you’ll know the Apex AX04 is utilized by the 5 instances British Champion. So, I’d advocate this board for a rider seeking to push the boundaries of their skill.
Having such a superb board does come at a value (as I’m certain you may think about); it can set you again £109.95. However what I can say is it’s completely value it for those who’re making an attempt to push to the subsequent degree.
Tandem Bodyboard
Decathlon – Weezmi Tandem
For one thing completely different that the household can get pleasure from in the summertime months, you need to take into account Decathlons’ tandem bodyboard. It’s an ideal thought for getting the little ones on the water however you may keep in whole management.
From £39.99 – View on Decathlon
The bodyboard options three handles on the entrance of the board, making it simpler for you and your little one to hold on to. Additionally they used a high-density plastic glide slick to supply sturdiness and velocity.
One factor to notice is that the board shouldn’t be utilized in waves or foam greater than 1 metre tall.
For those who’re seeking to spend a while together with your child and get them into bodyboarding, then that is the board for you. To make issues higher, it can solely set you again £39.99, which is a small value to pay for joyful recollections.
