In this part of our guide, we will discuss the equipment, gear, and accessories used in bodyboarding. In this water sport, the surfer rides a bodyboard on the crest, face, and curl of a wave.
Bodyboarding is sometimes referred to as boogie-boarding, a reference to Boogie Board invented by Tom Morley in 1971.
Bodyboards are shaped to the rider's specific needs and preferences, such as height, weight, and form of riding. Three basic riding forms include prone (rider lying flat on the board), drop-knee (one knee on the board and the other planted for stability), and stand-up (standing on the board).
The centerpiece of the sport is the bodyboard itself. Boards come in various shapes, sizes, and materials. The core materials typically include polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), each offering levels of flexibility and buoyancy. PE cores are known for their flexibility and are especially good in colder waters, while PP cores are stiffer and better suited for warmer waters.
The deck, slick, and rails of the board also contribute to the overall performance of the board. When the wide point of the board is nearer to the nose, the board is best suited to prone riding since the rider's weight rests further up on the board. Boards with parallel rails or narrow noses are best suited for drop-knee and stand-up riding as the rider's center of gravity rests further back.
Fins are used for propulsion and maneuverability in the water. They also come in various shapes and sizes, some designed for speed and others for control. The choice of finds often depends on the rider's preference and the type of waves.
Fin socks, made from neoprene, provide comfort and prevent blisters while wearing fins, and fin tethers are used to secure the fins to the rider's ankles.
A leash prevents the board from drifting away after a wipeout. Usually made of urethane, leashes come in various lengths and thicknesses. Bodyboarders prefer coiled leashes because they reduce drag and keep the leash out of the way while riding.
In cold water, bodyboards may wear a wetsuit to retain body temperature. Wetsuits are made of neoprene and come in different thicknesses, ranging from 2 mm for warmer waters to 5 mm or more for colder temperatures. They provide insulation, buoyancy, and protection from the elements.
Board bags protect the bodyboard from damage during transport and storage. They come in different sizes and styles, including padded and non-padded options.
Wax is applied to the deck of the bodyboard to provide grip and prevent slipping. Traction pads, made from EVA foam, are sometimes added to the deck for additional grip, particularly in drop-knee and stand-up riding.
Well-known manufacturers of bodyboarding equipment include Hubboards, Morey, NMD, and Pride Bodyboards. However, others are also engaged in producing bodyboarding equipment and gear. These and other manufacturers and retailers concentrating on bodyboarding products are appropriate resources for this category, along with websites featuring reviews or comparisons of bodyboarding products.
Recommended Resources
In business for over twenty years, this popular bodyboarding store is in Costa Mesa, California. They specialize in bodyboarding gear, including bodyboards of several styles, swim fins, wetsuits, and accessories. Offering free shipping on California orders over $30 and for the rest of the United States on orders over $200, its product catalog may be browsed via its website. Shoppers can shop by product, by brand, or by sale items. Guides and videos are included.
https://662bodyboardshop.com/
Headquartered in Hossegor, France, Bodyboard Center also has a location in Lisbon, Portugal. Its online product catalog includes several sizes and styles of bodyboards, swim fins, wetsuits, accessories, and apparel, as well as bodyboard packs which combine the essential bodyboarding gear together into one package. Soft boards and bodysurfing boards are included. Shoppers can browse product categories or view special offers. Contacts and an informational blog are included.
https://www.bodyboardcenter.com/en/
Although the company is primarily an e-commerce site, it welcomes walk-in customers to its San Clemente, California warehouse. The warehouse features many bodyboards, swim fins, leashes, and other bodyboarding gear and accessories. The address and map are provided, along with the hours of operation and contacts. The company's online product catalog features bodyboards, boogie boards, and surfboards, which may be found by product type or brand. Swim fins and accessories are also available.
https://www.ebodyboarding.com/
Situated in Vista, California, Hubboards is a brand of high-performance bodyboards, swim fins, wetsuits, and accessories. Designed in Hawaii, they have become a well-known brand worldwide. Some of their popular products include the Hubboards Houston Quad Core Sci-Five and the Hubboards Dubb Edition PP Pro Plus. The history and a profile of the company are provided, including its product design, refinement, research, and development. New arrivals and sale items are highlighted.
https://hubboards.com/
Inverted Bodyboarding is a bodyboarding retailer with two brick-and-mortar shops in Mooloolaba, as well as an online store. Its product catalog includes several styles of bodyboards, flippers, wetsuits, clothing, leashes, and accessories, as well as package deals, a size and buying guide, customer reviews, refund policies, discounts, special offers, coupons, and gift vouchers. Its addresses are listed on the website, along with its hours of operation and contact data.
https://www.bodyboardshop.com.au/
