What bodyboard should i buy

Similar to the PFS2 technology but PFS3 high-density aerospace foam beams run in a straight orientation from tail to nose. This gives the board more longitudinal flex right out of the box, without sacrificing the exceptional strength the PFS boards have become renown for. Parabolic Airex T90 high-density structural foam beams are embedded vertically into the base of the core for unrivaled flex-to-recoil energy transfer.

Scientifically proven Vapor Tracks track water along the length of the beams creating a hydrodynamic effect through the center of the board for electric board speed. Surlyn is a unique, rubber like combination of ethylene resins and other copolymers invented and manufactured by the chemical geniuses at DuPont.

Unlike rigid plastics, Surlyn has amazing flexural stiffness that allows a board to conform and contort to the curve of the wave when controlled by applied pressure from the rider. When the torque is released, the dynamic memory properties of the Surlyn deliver instant recoil, projecting the board onto the next section.

Surlyn is so strong that it is used as the cover for golf balls due to its unique abilities to resist cutting and abrasions from golf club impact. Surlyn is the slick of choice for high end bodyboards. Saying that, smaller and lighter riders tend to get away with HDPE slicks as they exert less pressure on the board.

The HDPE skin is less performance-based to give great value for money while you increase your skill level. A bi-axial Mesh layer is thermo-fused between 2 cross linked polypropylene skins.

The resulting Mesh Fusion Layer is then laminated directly to the core, under the deck, greatly increasing the board's tensile and compressive strength. Mesh is a wire-like plastic material that sits between the slick and the Core. It enhances projection and makes boards more durable. It also cushions the stress boards receive when landing aerial moves. Good to know, next time you get some air time. Diamond shaped mesh weave fused between the boards core and slick bottom skin for enhanced stiffness and recoil.

Dual layers of React Mesh, fused under the deck and slick, create an all-over tension balance between the top and bottom surfaces. Pull up on the nose as you drive through the bottom turn and you load up the slick, the moment you transition out of the turn the board instantly snaps back for incredible projection. Specially engineered core with two layers of mesh suspension fused with Polypro, dramatically increasing the board's speed, projection, and durability. Stringers are rods used to add strength, increase stiffness and to help maintain good rocker.

Stringers lengthen the life of a bodyboard. Stringers are generally inserted into the center of the core. They normally start at the tail and end 6" from under the nose of the bodyboard. Stringers are made of many different designs and materials. Bodyboards can have anywhere from 1 to 3 stringers. Note: Stringers do not prevent creasing — please check for stringer placement when drilling leash plug. High-grade filament wound composite-fiber tube for increased board strength and spring-like recoil.

The usual configuration for deck material is 8lb density per inch PE polyethylene. Indentations and creases in areas under pressure also develop quickly in PE decks. The alternative to a PE deck is known as crosslink, a thinner 6lb cell structure that absorbs less water whilst being more durable, but it tends to be far stiffer.

If you purchase one of these, be aware that it will require more wax for traction. This is due to its vinyl feel and touch. They offer extra grip, comfort and help you hold on through big duck dives or heavy landings. They can make a terrific difference during hairier rides.

Riders that are new to bodyboarding can also find that they help to enhance their ability to put their hands and elbows in the correct place. The slick is the underneath material of a bodyboard which is in direct contact with the water whilst riding waves. These make the board responsive and recover to an original shape when flexed. It also makes the bodyboard faster by providing superior projection through waves.

The cheaper alternative is a HDPE slick. These are small grooves on the bottom of your slick. They help hold the wave face much the same way a fin works for a surfboard, enhancing directional control and movement. Most channel designs feature a narrow entry for water at the front of the bodyboard with a wider exit at the back. This creates an increased surface area so your board holds the water better through bottom turns and rail transitions.

A design feature known as a Concave is a large channel running half the length of the bodyboard through to the back of the hull. Concaves add greater control and are designed to maximize down-the-line speed and drive. Mesh is a wire-like plastic material that sits between the slick and the core.

It enhances projection and makes boards more durable. It also cushions the stress boards receive when landing aerial moves. Good to know, next time you get some air time. Stringers are tubes or rods made from carbon fibre or fibre glass that run through the board core. Stringers not only make boards last a lot longer, they also increase performance. However, two and even three stringer systems are now appearing in bodyboard design. As a general rule, the more stringers used the stiffer and more durable the board will be.

A single stringer is enough for most riders, as it keeps the board rigid when paddling but allows it to flex when riding a wave. Double stringers are often used on boards that have HDPE bottom skins, as this helps to keep rigidity and recoil.

Some drop knee riders prefer double stringers as they feel that the flex that the board receives when they are bottom turning can recoil with more energy if there are two stringers. The ISS allows you to change stringers to suit different wave conditions and water temperatures.

The soft stringer is suitable for cold water, the mid stringer for cold to mid temp water, the stiff stringer for mid to warm water and the carbon fibre stringer is ideal for warm water.

You can purchase individual stringers or the complete set as a pack from BBD here. Whichever design you choose; always bear in mind that generally, more stringers mean more weight and that a flexible board will be more responsive and easier to control in steeper tubing waves.

A more rigid board will be faster, but generally a little harder to control. The speed with which your board recoils or reforms to its original shape creates projection. Effectively this is speed - what all bodyboarders crave! Learn how to shape a bodyboard. Read how to apply a GoPro bodyboard mount. And here's how to install a bodyboard leash plug. Bodyboard Size Chart. You have finally decided to buy yourself a new or your first bodyboard. But what size bodyboard should you buy?

And which type of bodyboard suits your needs? Rider Height cm Rider Weight kg Share this article. Share on Facebook. Rails are the edges of the bodyboard which plane through the face of the wave. The steeper the rail angle, the more bite you will get, increasing your control but reducing your drive. The shallower the angle, the faster the board will be due to less rail resistance, but the harder it is to turn due to the decreased vacuum.

After the water has been displaced from under the board, it wraps up over the rails and creates a primary vacuum sucking the board into the wave face. The wide point is the widest part of the board's template taken from rail to rail. The width and position of the wide point affect the flotation and maneuverability of the board. The wider a board is, the greater buoyancy it has, but the more difficult it is to turn.

Boards have become narrower over the last ten years to allow harder and sharper turns in the pocket. The nose-to-wide point is the distance from the nose to the board's widest point and dictates the overall shape and template of the board.

A higher wide point offers a greater surface area towards the front of the board, which is more suited for prone riders who drive, rotate, and balance from the elbow. Bodyboards have become slimmer over the years, roughly down from about 55 mm to around 51 mm currently. Thinner boards are more agile and maneuverable in the pocket; thicker boards suit fast sections and big carves.

Rocker is the gentle upward curve of your board. Rocker should only be slight and focused more towards the front.