Bodyboard

In brief Polynesian footprint: from paipo to the beginnings of modern bodyboarding Long before the term “bodyboard” echoed on Californian beaches, Polynesians carved paipo boards from koa or ulu wood. These short boards, often less than 4 feet, were intended for prone sliding, the ideal way to cut through waves without a rudder or fin. […]

In short: Measuring the right size: foundations of controlled riding On a windy Landaise beach one August morning, two cousins with opposite builds share a single board. The 60 kg rider catches every wave, while his 95 kg elder inexorably plunges into the shorebreak. Typical scene: the wrong size harms both buoyancy and maneuverability. To

In brief Basic principles: how the dimension of a bodyboard determines maneuverability Choosing the right size of bodyboard first means understanding why a few centimeters – or rather a few inches – radically change the glide sensation. On a board that’s too short, the carrying surface is no longer sufficient to maintain flotation, forcing the

In brief: Ideal size and volume: how the 80 kg weight / length ratio influences the glide At Landes spots, a frame of 80 kg immediately faces the following dilemma: too short, the board pearl-dives; too long, it becomes sluggish in fast sections. Shapers retain a simple equation: bodyboard length at the navel + a

In brief Rider size: the basis for determining the ideal size of a first board Even before considering materials, a new rider must match their future board to their own size. A common mistake is copying a friend’s board without accounting for morphological differences. Practically, the length of a bodyboard is given in inches; one

In brief Understanding the morphology of a 6-year-old child and the impact on board size At six years old, a young rider typically measures between 110 cm and 125 cm and weighs between 18 kg and 24 kg. This morphology demands a careful choice to avoid a board that is too bulky becoming an unmanageable

In brief 🏄‍♂️ Volume and dimensions: the basics of the buying guide for a 95 kg rider The first reflex is to cross-reference body mass with the recommended board length. Shapers agree: a board intended for a 95 kg practitioner must provide enough volume to keep the nose above water, even at low speed. Practically,

In brief Analysis of the Décathlon line-up: which bodyboard brands dominate the line-up? In the bodyboard section of retail giant Décathlon, four badges clearly stand out. Radbug has taken over the historical role from Tribord and established itself as the specialized label, the result of real-condition tests on the Basque coast. The brand offers boards

In brief 🏄‍♂️ Mesh and bodyboard: essential technical basics The term mesh refers to a fiberglass or carbon fiber cloth arranged in a lattice and placed at the core of the boards. This network, borrowed from aerospace engineering, arrived on bodyboards at the end of the 2026s, when shapers were looking to limit torsion without

IN SHORT Assessing your bodyboard budget: fundamental variables to know Even before diving into virtual aisles searching for the best bodyboard buying guide, a savvy rider starts by breaking down the financial envelope into specific items. Three variables govern the allocation: frequency of practice, typical wave conditions surfed, and technical level. A high school student