The Complete Handbook of Bodyboards

Chapter 1: Understanding Bodyboards

A bodyboard is a hydrodynamic craft designed to be ridden by a prone (lying down) or drop-knee (one knee on the board) surfer. It is a distinct piece of equipment, not simply a smaller or softer surfboard. Its performance envelope, construction methods, and the physics that govern its use are specific and, in many ways, more demanding than that of a stand-up board. To understand the bodyboard, you must first strip away the recreational associations and look at it as a system designed for one specific purpose: efficiently converting the energy of a breaking wave into forward momentum and maneuverability.

At its most basic, the bodyboard consists of a foam core, a laminated skin, and a slick bottom. This is where the simplicity ends. The core material determines the board's flex, buoyancy, and weight. The skin, typically a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or Surlyn, is fused to the top and bottom surfaces, or "decks". This skin is not just a cosmetic layer; it is the primary structural element that handles the tensile and compressive forces when the board is loaded. The bottom is coated with a slick, low-friction material, usually a form of high-density polyethylene. This slick bottom allows the board to slide and plane across the water's surface, a crucial function that differentiates it from a surfboard's fiberglass bottom, which is designed to adhere to the water. The construction is a compromise between buoyancy, which is provided by the closed-cell foam core, and flex, which is