Bodyboarding options

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

Selecting a bodyboard these days is like selecting a wave to ride it on.

Bodyboarders should take several factors into consideration when purchasing a board. "If you want to talk general costs, the basic reason why some boards are more expensive than others is because of the core," says Jesse Juan, general manager of Turbo Surf. Bernie Baker • Special to The Advertiser

"During the peak season, we can put 500 different bodyboards on display," said Jesse Juan, general manager of Turbo Surf, a shop on Kapahulu Avenue that specializes in bodyboards. "There's basically something out there for everybody."

As has been the case for the past decade or so, bodyboarding remains one of Hawai'i's most popular forms of wave-riding.

"It's safe, it's convenient and it's fun," Juan said.

But just like with riding waves, bodyboarders need to know their limits and figure out how far they want to go when shopping for a new board.

"We understand that there are different levels of bodyboarding," Juan said. "The key is to find what level you're at and go from there."

To be sure, bodyboards come in various shapes, sizes and colors.

Some 20 years ago, when bodyboarding first started to gain popularity, Morey Bodyboards — the originators of the foam board — was virtually the only legitimate brand on the market. Today, there are more than 50 major brands around the world, each offering various models for the various levels of riders.

"If you're going to be serious about it, you have to look into it and understand it," Juan said. "There really is more to a board than what you might think."

Among the variables to look for:

Core

Most bodyboards are shaped from a styrofoam-like material. However, various grade levels of that core material account for the biggest difference between boards.

The low-cost bodyboards are made out of a spongy, softer material called polyethylene. The higher-end boards are made of a stiffer material called beaded polypropylene.

"If you want to talk general costs, the basic reason why some boards are more expensive than others is because of the core," Juan said.

In addition to lasting longer, the stiffer boards are supposed to be faster along a wave. Some bodyboard shapers are now inserting graphite shafts or wires through the middle of the board for added durability and speed.

Brand name

Kainoa McGee, a world-class professional bodyboarder, is co-owner of Industry Bodyboards, which sells boards around the world. He is one of several current or former professionals currently in the business.

"There's way more selection than ever," McGee said. "But there's also better quality than ever. As professionals, we've been out there in the water. We know what works and what doesn't. I think it just adds some credibility to it."

With all variables being equal, there is ultimately little difference between top-of-the-line brands.

"Some people come in and want a Manta board just because it's Manta," Juan said. "Other people want a board with (McGee's) name on it just because his name is on it."

In contrast, some bodyboarders could care less what brand they buy. "Some are just looking for a particular color," Juan said.

Shape

In general, bodyboarders can be split into two categories, drop-knee or prone. Drop-knee bodyboarders ride waves with a one-knee stance; prone riders lie on their bellies.

Because of the differences between the two styles, most companies offer bodyboard models for each.

According to McGee, drop-knee boards are narrower overall, with most of the weight distributed at the bottom of the board. Prone boards are wider with more of the weight distributed near the top.

Tail

In sticking with the drop-knee versus prone styles, bodyboard tails have evolved accordingly.

Most drop-knee boards are designed with a crescent-shaped tail, which allows one foot to drag behind freely as a skeg. Most prone boards have a "bat tail," which is a wavy pattern designed to create more speed.

Size

As a rule of thumb, a bodyboard should be as long as the rider's lower body. Specifically, when measured from the ground up, a bodyboard should line up with the rider's belly button.

"If you have a hard time catching waves, your board is too small," Juan explained. "If you can catch waves but have a hard time turning, your board is too big. There needs to be a happy medium where you can catch waves and maneuver without too much trouble."

Finding that "happy medium" can be a task in itself. According to McGee, one inch in any direction of a board can make a difference in performance.

"If you compare it to surfboards, one inch is like one foot for a bodyboard," he said. "That's why you shouldn't just grab a board because of how it looks. Getting the right size is very, very important."

Price

Bodyboards range from around $75 to more than $350.

"If you're a beginner, you shouldn't start out with a $350 board, even if you can afford it," Juan said. "The more expensive boards are for the more experienced riders. It's a good idea to start out small and then work your way up as you get more serious about it."

After purchasing a bodyboard, experts suggest caring for it properly to get more mileage out of it.

"When you're not riding it, keep it out of the sun," McGee said. "It's also not a good idea to leave it in the (car) trunk for a long time."

McGee said exposure to the sun or heat can create air bubbles in the board that will eventually lead to decreased performance.