The best bodyboard for beginners should be able to help you catch big waves and maintain speed while flying towards the shore.
You need to be able to balance easily while maintaining a high level of control too, even though it might be tough in the beginning.
If you choose the right board it should be able to help you become an expert bodyboarder performing cool flips and tricks in no time.
Best Bodyboard For Beginners On The Market
You don’t need to buy one of the best bodyboards when you’re getting started, but it’s important to stay away from something too cheap and nasty. It needs to have a respectable amount of features to help you fall in love with bodyboarding and keep progressing.
Finding the right beginner bodyboard is no easy feat, so we’re going to discuss some of the best ones on the market right now:
- Morey Big Kahuna Bodyboard
- Morey Mach 7 Bodyboard
- Thurso Surf Lightning Bodyboard
- ZEFR Fusion Bodyboard
- Custom X Titan Bodyboard
Please Note: Don’t forget to pick up the best bodyboard fins you can find too.
1 – Morey Big Kahuna Bodyboard
Thomas Hugh Morey is known as the father of bodyboarding and his company has been manufacturing bodyboards since the middle of last century. The Big Kahuna bodyboard is great for beginners even if you’re quite heavy. Let’s look at a few of the main features you’ll get:
- The crescent tail
- Power rod stringer
The crescent tail – Stability and maneuverability are controlled by the tail of your bodyboard because they don’t come with fins. It’s responsible for helping you achieve 360s, massive airs, and quick turns at great speed so it’s fair to say it’s a very important area of the board.
The crescent tail is still the most popular tail design in the world for a reason. It’s even more comfortable for riders because it adapts to your body shape. It doesn’t have much contact with the face of waves and you’ll be able to make split second decisions quicker.
Power rod stringer – Even though you’re a beginner I’m sure you’ll want to tackle waves bigger than a foot high. Soft spongy boards that fall apart within seconds aren’t going to cut the mustard. It’s why great manufacturers place power rod stringers inside their boogie boards.
The power rod stringer inside a Morey Big Kahuna boogie board is a dual composite carbon strength tube that gives you a powerful base. Even if you’re bodyboarding in bigger waves it will help your board spring back into shape when it bends from the force you’re under.
2 – Morey Mach 7 Bodyboard
Have you ever wondered why they’re sometimes called boogie boards? It’s because that is the name Morey came up with decades ago, which shows you how powerful the brand is in the industry. The Mach 7 is a hugely respected bodyboard and we’ll look at some reasons why:
- Extra grip channels
- Quality HDPE slick
Extra grip channels – Channels are essentially canals on the underside of your bodyboard. Even if you’re a beginner bodyboarder the underside of your board should never be flat. These channels provide you with extra grip when you’re on the face of waves.
Maybe you don’t need them when you’re messing around near the beach on waves that don’t come up to your chin. When you’re firing down the front of a wave like a missile you’ll need as much grip as possible. It’s why bodyboard fins are essential too.
Quality HDPE slick – The underside of your bodyboard is called the slick in case you were wondering. Do you have any idea why it’s important to have a great slick? When built from the right material it will be able to reduce drag allowing you to go much faster.
HDPE stands for high density polyethylene. Even though it’s not the greatest material available it’s perfect for beginner boards. When you’re thundering down a wave you won’t be wondering why the Morey Mach 7 slick is holding you back. Quite the opposite, in fact.
3 – Thurso Surf Lightning Bodyboard
Thurso Surf is a modern company with hugely ambitious goals. They want to help their customers enjoy experiences of a lifetime. The Lightning bodyboard definitely lives up to their high standards. Here are a few of the key features you’ll get to enjoy:
- Durable IXPE deck
- Leash attachment
Durable IXPE deck – Although the Lightning boogie board has been designed with stability and glide as the main priorities you can’t ignore your comfort levels. In an ideal world, you’ll want to be thundering down waves all day when you’re at the beach.
The 4mm high density durable IXPE deck is cushioned to be point where you won’t feel horrible lying on it. The heat laminated deck is completely sealed so it won’t suffer from delamination. There is a good chance the quality beginner board will last you years and years.
Leash attachment – When surfing you have to wear a leash around your ankle. It’s the same thing when boogie boarding except the leash will be attached to your wrist. If you fall into the ocean when riding a big wave you won’t need to swim out miles to retrieve it.
You can feel safe in the knowledge that you won’t lose your Lightning boogie board even if you’re tackling big waves. It will be attached to a double stainless steel swivel as well as your wrist. Not only does this bodyboard come with a strap but you’ll get a quality carry bag too.
4 – ZEFR Fusion Bodyboard
ZEFR is a small family business operating next to the beach. It was born out of their love for surfing and bodyboarding. I think it’s fair to say the Fusion bodyboard is unique compared to most boards. Let’s discuss a few of the standout features you’ll surely appreciate:
- Virtually indestructible
- You can stand on board
Virtually indestructible – One piece construction means the ZEFR Fusion boogie board is virtually impossible to destroy, even when you’re bodyboarding in scary waves. You won’t have to deal with heat bubbles or delamination thanks to the way it’s been constructed.
There is always a chance you’ll ding the board at some point, but it’s not going to let any water in. The waterlog proof board will never absorb water. Plus tentacle grip traction means you won’t have to mess around with traction pads and wax before hitting the waves.
You can stand on board – When most people think of bodyboarding they imagine someone lying in the prone position. But there are other ways you’ll be able to ride your board. If you have enough balance you’ll be able to stand up on the Fusion bodyboard.
It’s almost like a mix between a surfboard and bodyboard. There are fins on the board but you’ll be able to remove them depending on your needs. If you do remove the fins don’t worry about finding a way to plug the holes. It won’t affect your performance in the slightest.
5 – Custom X Titan Bodyboard
Custom X can compete with Morey when it comes to quality bodyboards. It makes sense because the owner, Debbie Colwell, did work with Tom Morey in the 70s. The Custom X Titan is a solid beginner boogie board and we’ll look at a few cool features:
- Double rails @ 60/40
- Drop knee bodyboarding
Double rails @ 60/40 – The rails on a bodyboard play a huge part in how much control you have on waves. A 60/40 ratio is extremely popular and gives you lots of grip no matter how big they are. The Custom X Titan boogie board has a crescent tail to help with control too.
Rails also have an impact on the speed you’ll be able to go. This bodyboard comes with a high grade surlyn slick giving you an even faster board. The material is actually regarded as the best in class when it comes to bodyboard slicks, so it’s great to find on a beginner boogie board.
Drop knee bodyboarding – After you learn how to boogie board lying down you’ll quickly move onto bigger and better things, which doesn’t just include the waves you tackle. The way you ride on the bodyboard opens up a whole new world of opportunities too.
This includes learning how to pull off new tricks and maneuvers. You’ll want to push yourself to your limits. The Custom X Titan bodyboard is great for drop knee bodyboarding. It’s one of the toughest forms of wave riding and you’ll need bucketloads of balance.
Best Bodyboard For Beginners Getting Started
You don’t need the best bodyboard in the world when getting started, but beginners still need a quality board. Every single one we’ve looked at today should satisfy your needs. You’ll just need to compare the features and figure out which one you like best.
Click on the links to Amazon if you want to see the full list of features in detail. You’ll be able to read plenty of unbiased reviews from past customers too.
