How Do I Find the Right Skimboard (The Ultimate Buying Guide)?

Skimboarding has grown a lot as a sport since its humble beginnings in Laguna Beach, California, in the 1920s. Now it is being enjoyed all over the world, and it continues to gain popularity, especially for the younger generation. What adds to the appeal of skimboarding is that you don’t need much to start the sport. You basically just need to find the perfect skimboard for you to get glidin’.

What Makes a Good Skimboard?

Since we all have our own riding styles and goals, the characteristics of a good skimboard can be subjective. Generally, a good skimboard should be appropriate for your weight, height, and skill level. Aside from that, a good skimboard should also be suitable for the wave activity in your location of choice. It should also be durable, and, more importantly, it should support your speed and balance as you skim across the waves.

Skimboards are not created equal, and the perfect skimboard for you may not be the perfect skimboard for your friend. This is because skimboards differ in many things, such as size, material, and curvature, among others.

There are also personal factors that can affect the performance of the board, like your body weight, skills, skimming speed, and break type, among many others. Once you start progressing in the sport, you would know what kind of skimboard works best for you.

What Should I Look for When Buying a Skimboard?

If you want to get started on the sport or if you are on the lookout for a new board, then here are some of the factors that you should look for and consider when buying a skimboard.

• Type of skimboard: Skimboards are mainly constructed with two types of core, namely wood, and foam. These two differ in many criteria such as price, durability, lightness, flexibility, and the kind of waves that they are better suited to, among others.
  • Wood boards: These boards are generally leaner, stiffer, and heavier, which makes them sink faster than their foam counterparts. Wood boards are more suitable to be used in flatland and inland bodies of water such as creeks, rivers, lakes, and puddles, and they are generally used for sand skimming at the beach. Wood boards are more recommended for beginners because they are way cheaper than the other type of skimboard. However, it should be noted that wood boards are less durable.
  • Foam boards: Also referred to as foamies by avid skimboarders, foam boards are generally lighter and thicker. Aside from that, foamies offer more flexibility compared to their wood counterpart. Foam boards are more suitable to be used in rougher currents and wavy surfaces, and they are generally used for wave skimming. Because they are lighter, thicker, and more flexible, foam boards are more recommended for more experienced skimboarders because they can withstand heavy usage better. However, it should be noted that foam boards are generally more expensive than wood boards.
• Size of skimboard: There are many sub-factors that you should consider when you choose the size of a skimboard. These sub-factors include your weight, height, speed, your riding style, and your skill level. The design of the board and the wave activity are also other factors to consider.
  • Weight: Weight to size recommendations often vary depending on the manufacturer, so when choosing a skimboard, you should also consider your actual weight and the actual size of the board. There are varying skimboard models depending on their size. They go from XXS, XS, S, M, ML (medium to large), L, XL, and XXL.
  • Speed: Your running speed is an important determinant of what size of skimboard to get. The faster you are, the more buoyancy you get and the easier you can skim. Your speed will also determine how fast you can catch a wave. If you are fast enough, you can catch waves even if you use smaller boards.
  • Design: Generally, boards that are wider and longer can go to greater lengths. But if you like performing tricks, then you are better off with a smaller board.
  • Skill level: If you are a beginner, it is recommended to get a longer and wider board because this will help your balance better due to the bigger foot area. Aside from that, it can support your weight better, which will help you in skimming. On the other hand, if you are a more experience skimboarder, a smaller board is generally preferred. This is because they offer more maneuverability. Aside from that, it is easier to perform tricks on smaller boards.
  • Wave Activity: If the waves in your location of choice are generally weaker, it is better to choose a heavier and longer board. This type of board offers more speed as you skim the sand and water. On the other hand, if you are facing bigger and rougher waves, choose a smaller board because they are easier to maneuver.
• Shape of skimboard: There are three things to consider when you are looking at the shape of a skimboard. These are the overall shape of the board, the curvature or rocker, and the shape of the tail.
  • Overall shape of the board:
    • Twintip or Symmetrical: This skimboard is easy to recognize because the shape of the nose is the same as the shape of the tail. Skimboards in this shape are generally used in flatland or inland bodies of water. They are more suitable for doing tricks. There are two kinds of symmetrical skimboards, namely Streamline and Proto. Skimboards with the streamline shape offer more maneuverability. On the other hand, the Proto shape offers more stability.
    • Asymmetrical: Skimboards with asymmetrical shape has a different tip and toe. These boards are generally used for wave skimming.
  • Curvature or Rocker: You should also consider the curvature of the tip or nose of the skimboard. This curvature is also called rocker. There are two types of rockers, namely shallow and steeper.
    • Shallow rocker: A skimboard with shallow rockers has a flatter nose. Generally, skimboards with shallow rockers are faster, and they are suitable for flat or calm water.
    • Steeper rocker: A skimboard with steeper rockers have more bent in the nose. Generally, skimboards with steeper rockers are more suitable for higher, choppier, and rougher waves. However, it should be noted that steeper rockers can slow you down.
  • Shape of the tail: Manufacturers have come up with several variations of the shape of a skimboard tail over the years. To date, the most common tail shapes include the pintail, rounded, square tail, and W-tail or swallow tail.
    • Pintail: This tail shape offers your skimboard good balance as you skim across the water.
    • Square tail: A skimboard with a square tail is evidently more agile in the water. This tail shape also offers more flexibility which makes it great for doing tricks on your skimboard.
    • W-tail or Swallow tail: Like the square tail, the W-tail or swallow tail offers increased agility. This tail also makes it easier for you to perform tricks because it boosts the flexibility of the skimboard.
  • Wrap on skimboard: You should also consider the material used to wrap the core (which is either wood or foam) of your skimboard. The durability of your board is also characterized by the material used as the wrap, which includes e-glass, carbon, and s-glass and texilium.
    • Carbon: This material is considered to be the strongest of the three materials used in the wrap of your skimboard, which also explains why it is the most expensive. Skimboards constructed with carbon are basically invulnerable to the harsh elements both on land and ocean, such as big rocks or rough terrain. Skimboards made of carbon wrap are also generally stiffer.
    • E-glass: Most skimboards are usually made with E-glass, however, out of the three materials, it is considered to be the weakest. If your skimboard is made of E-glass wrap, you should be extra careful because it is not as durable as the other materials. Skimboards made of E-glass wrap are generally more flexible and easier to maneuver.
    • S-glass and Texilium: Skimboards with S-glass and texilium are generally described to be a lot stiffer than, say, E-glass. S-glass and texilium wrap skimboards will not hurt your wallet as they have mid-range prices, and they are considered to offer more speed and are relatively durable.

Getting a new skimboard should be very specific to you. You and your friend are not meant to get the exact same skimboard because chances are your abilities, weight, or even height are not the same.

How Much Does a Skimboard Cost?

The price of skimboards depends mainly on the materials used and your weight, height, and skill level. Skimboards with wood core are generally cheaper and are priced between 50 to 100 dollars. However, wood skimboards are considered to be not as durable as foamies which means you could be spending more for repairs or a brand-new board once your wood skimboard breaks.

On the other hand, skimboards with foam cores (also called foamies) are relatively higher in price. Foam skimboards usually retail at around 150 to 300 dollars, sometimes even more, depending on the brand.

How Much Is a Good Skimboard?

If you are new to the sport or you don’t see yourself going skimboarding nearly every weekend, then consider buying a skimboard with a wood core whose price will not exceed 100 dollars. Wood skimboards are recommended for beginners because they are relatively cheaper and are durable enough for regular use in the water.

If you are an avid skimboarder and you want to upgrade your board to something better, then consider getting a skimboard with a foam core and be ready to spend around 300 dollars or more. If you see yourself using the board all the time, every little last penny that you will use in purchasing your board will be worth it because foam skimboards are very durable and are more suitable for heavy usage.

What Are the Different Types of Skimboards?

There are two types of skimboards that are based on the material used for the core, namely foam, and wood. Foam core boards (also called foamies) and wooden boards differ in several factors, including price, durability, flexibility, buoyancy, and skill level, among others. Aside from that, they also differ in the wave activity that they are suitable for.

Wood boards are considered to be leaner, stiffer, and heavier. But due to their weight, wood boards have lower buoyancy which makes them sink faster. This type of board is more suitable to be used in flatland and inland bodies of water such as creeks, rivers, lakes, and puddles. They are also more commonly used for sand skimming at the beach. Wood boards are more recommended for beginners. They are also a lot cheaper, however, they are also less durable.

Meanwhile, foam core boards are considered to be lighter and thicker. Foamies offer more flexibility, and they have more buoyancy. Foamies are usually used in wave skimming, and they are more suitable for rougher currents and wavy surfaces. Foam boards are the go-to choice of more experienced skimboarders due to their combination of lightness, thickness, flexibility, and durability. They are great for heavy usage; however, they are relatively more expensive than wood boards.

What Is the Best Type of Skimboard?

Choosing the best type of skimboard can be rather subjective as they both serve different kinds of users, riding styles, and riding goals. If you are a beginner or you just want to try the sport for a short period of time, wood boards are more suitable for you. This is because they cost less, and they are durable enough for beginner lessons.

But if you are into skimboarding for the long haul, then a foam core board is the best type for you. While they can be more expensive, they are durable enough to withstand years of heavy usage.

What Is the Best Skimboard for Riding Waves?

Foam core boards are the ones to get if you want to ride waves. Foamies are lighter, and they offer more buoyancy which will help you in riding across the waves. These boards also allow more flexibility and durability.

Wooden boards are not suitable for riding waves because they are heavier and do not offer that much buoyancy. That means that this type of board sinks faster, which will not help you in riding waves.

What Type of Skimboard Should I Get?

There is no type of skimboard that is suitable for all kinds of skimboarders. Choosing a skimboard should be very specific to you. Your skimboard should be appropriate to your weight, height, skill level, and speed.

If you are a beginner, you should consider getting a wooden board. They may be less durable, but they are also relatively cheaper. Wooden boards are good enough to start you off in your journey.

If you are an intermediate or advanced skimboarder, you should consider getting a foam core board. Foamies are better in terms of flexibility, lightness, thickness, and durability. They can withstand heavy use, and they can go against the harsher water elements.

What Are Skimboards Made of?

The cores of skimboards are mainly made up of either foam or wood. Wooden boards are more recommended for beginners or skimboarders that are into flatland skimming. Meanwhile, foam core board or foamies are more recommended for intermediate and advanced skimboarders. They are more durable, flexible, lighter, and more buoyant.

The outside or wrap of skimboards is usually made of carbon, s-glass and texilium, and e-glass. Carbon wraps are the strongest and most expensive. E-glass wraps are the most common, but they are considered the weakest. S-glass and texilium are known for its durability and speed.

What Are Zap Skimboards Made of?

Zap Skimboards manufacture many kinds and variations of skimboards made of different materials. The company is known as the largest maker of skimboards, and their creations are either made of fiberglass, foam, or wood.

Founded by Bob Smetts, Zap produces thousands of skimboards that they distribute to other countries across the globe. They are one of the top brands that champion skimboarders gravitate towards.

What Are Exile Skimboards Made of?

Exile is another popular skimboard manufacturer. They produce many kinds and variations of skimboards, and they also use different materials. They previously started using wood ply on their skimboards, but through the years, they have started using foam cores.

They also use several materials for glassing or as wraps. These include epoxy resin, carbon, e-glass, and fiberglass.

Exile Skimboards also allow their customers to customize their skimboards. They can choose from different construction materials (core and wrap or glassing), shape, thickness, rocker profile, deck options, and finish.

Are Wood Skimboards Good?

Wood skimboards are good, especially if you are new to the sport. Wood skimboards are considered to be the entry-level skimboard due to this relatively low price as compared to other materials.

Wood skimboards are also great for sand skimming at the beach. Aside from that, you can enjoy your wood skimboards for flatwater skimboarding.

Can You Ride Waves With a Wood Skimboard?

Wood skimboards are not recommended for riding or catching waves. This is because wood skimboards are heavier than foam core boards. They also offer less buoyancy which makes them sink in water faster.

Wood skimboards are more commonly used for skimming over wet sand. You can also try skimming on flatwater or inland bodies of water like creeks, rivers, and lakes.

What Wood Is Used for Skimboards?

Wood skimboards are made of different kinds of wood, but birch and maple are considered to be the best kinds. Make sure that you get the flattest and best piece of wood that you can find with the least number of holes.

While you can buy plywood in hardware stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s, it would be best if you get your wood from a real hardwood supplier to ensure that it is of high quality. Some of the defects that should look for in the plywood include splits, knots, and holes between layers.

For the best results, it is not recommended to use siding-grade plywood, Medium Density Fiberboard or MDF, particle board, CDX, or chipboard.

Are Fiberglass Skimboards Good?

Fiberglass skimboards are considered to be generally good, especially if you are into surfing the waves with your skimboard and performing tricks. A well-made and high-quality fiberglass skimboard is also durable and can withstand heavy usage.

If you like braving the waves, then you should get a fiberglass skimboard. They are great for rougher and bigger waves.

What Is the Difference Between Wood and Fiberglass Skimboards?

There are many differences between wood and fiberglass skimboards. From the price to shape to durability, the differences between these two boards stand out.

• Price: Wood skimboards are way cheaper than their fiberglass counterparts. Even if your wood skimboard is made with top-quality wood, it will still be cheaper than fiberglass skimboards.
• Durability: Wood skimboards are not generally preferred because of their durability. While they can still last a long time if properly used and cared for, skimboards made of fiberglass are still more durable, and they will last you a long time even if they bump into harsh water elements
• Speed: While your speed is determined by how fast you can run, wood skimboards are still considered to be faster than fiberglass skimboards. You basically control your speed when you go on your wood skimboard. However, once you ride the wave with your fiberglass skimboard, your speed will depend on how fast the wave is going.
• Curvature or Rocker: The rocker is the curvature of the nose or tip on one end of your skimboard. There are two types of rocker, namely shallow rocker, and steeper rocker. Skimboards with shallow rockers have flatter noses like what you can observe in wooden skimboards. These shallow rockers enable your wooden skimboard to go faster. On the other hand, skimboards with steeper rockers have more bent tips. This kind of rocker is generally observed in the design of fiberglass skimboards. Steeper rockers will not help with your speed, but it helps in navigating your skimboard in choppier and rougher water.
• Tail: The tails of skimboard come in different shapes, including pintail, W-tail or swallow tail, square tail, and rounded tail. Wooden skimboards are often manufactured with wider square tails. Meanwhile, fiberglass skimboards are usually designed with rounded pintails. The pintail helps good balance and maneuverability in riding the waves.
• Weight: Wooden skimboards are known to be heavier. Because of their weight, they offer less buoyancy, and they sink faster. Meanwhile, fiberglass skimboards are generally lighter, and they are more buoyant.
• Shape: Wood skimboards are designed to be wide and thin. They offer more surface area to help you in balancing your body on the board. Meanwhile, fiberglass skimboards are thinner, and they take on the shape of a mini surfboard. They are generally thicker, which adds to their buoyancy.
• Tricks: It is easier to perform tricks and stunts on wood skimboards due to their shape. You can basically do most of the skateboarding stunts on wood skimboards. You can also do tricks using your fiberglass skimboard, but these are mostly tricks that you can do while riding the waves.

Are Foam Skimboards Good?

Foam skimboards are good in many ways. They are lighter, thicker, more flexible, more buoyant, and more durable. More experienced skimboarders gravitate towards foam skimboards because they last a lot longer, even with heavy usage.

Foam skimboards are also great for riding waves. Aside from that, they can take on rougher, choppier, and stronger waves.

What Is the Best Material for a Skimboard?

Choosing the best material for a skimboard is subjective and may be specific to your exact needs, riding goals, and skill level. Skimboards made from wood, fiberglass, and foam have their own pros and cons. The material that works best for one skimboarder may not give the same result to another.

If you are a beginner or if you enjoy flatwater and sand skimming, you should get a skimboard that is made of wood. This is the best entry-level skimboard because of this price. They also have a bigger surface area which makes balancing easier for beginners.

If you are an intermediate or advanced skimboarder, you can choose to buy either a foam skimboard or a fiberglass skimboard. Both materials are great for riding and catching waves. They are also lightweight and durable. They also offer more flexibility and buoyancy.

What Are Pro Skimboards Made of?

Professional skimboards are usually made of foam core and are wrapped in either carbon, epoxy, or fiberglass. Foam core boards are great for wave skimming. Aside from that, foam core boards are durable, lighter, more buoyant, and they offer more flexibility which are the characteristics that professional skimboarders gravitate towards.

Skimboards with foam core are usually the ones used in skimboarding competitions and are the first choice of skimboarding champions.

What Are Deck Channels on a Skimboard?

You can choose to add deck channels on your skimboard if you want extra stiffness. Because deck channels will add stiffness, your board is less likely to break. With the deck channels on, your board will be more responsive, and your hands will have something convenient to hold on to whenever you try to do a grab rail maneuver.

However, deck channels are not necessarily an essential part of your skimboard. If you think that a little extra stiffness will help you, then you can choose to have deck channels on your board. But skimboard without deck channels still performs great.

Do Skimboards Have Fins?

Skimboards are designed without fins. While they do look a lot like small surfboards, one thing that skimboards do not have is a fin. A fin would make it hard for a skimboard to side slip, especially if you are using your board in wet sand or flat water.

The fin would also cause drag, and it will slow you down while you are skimming on the sand or riding the waves.

How Much Rocker Should a Skimboard Have?

The amount curvature of the nose of your board is usually very specific to the needs of the skimboarder, and it varies from one rider to another. It also often depends on your location. Since the rocker helps in making the transition from shore to the water easier, the amount of curvature would depend on the terrain of the beach.

Since the beaches on the East Coast of the United States of America are a lot flatter, you need less rocker on your board. The curvature of the skimboard is usually 2 inches if you want to try skimboarding on the East Coast. Sometimes it is even less than 2 inches if the beach is particularly flat.

If you want to try skimboarding on the West Coast, the curvature of your board should be at least 3 inches. This is because the beaches on the West Coast are a lot steeper, and the waves are a lot choppier and rougher. You would need more rocker on steeper beaches so that you can transition smoothly from shore to the water.

How Big Is a Skimboard?

Skimboards are manufactured in varying sizes. This is because skimboards cater to different physical characteristics (including height and weight), riding style, and skill level of the rider. On average, skimboards are between 45 to 57 inches in length. Meanwhile, they range between 17.75 inches to 23 inches in width.

Skimboards come in different sizes including double extra small, small, medium, medium to large, large, extra-large, and double extra-large. Manufacturers make sure that they come in all possible sizes so that you have more choices.

How Thick Is a Skimboard?

Skimboards come in varying thicknesses as well. This is mainly due to the materials used in the construction of the skimboard. On average, skimboards are between 1 to 2.5 centimeters or approximately 3/8 to 1 inch in thickness. Most manufactured skimboards are 1.5 to 2 centimeters or 5/8 to 3/4 inch in thickness.

You should consider the thickness of the board if you are looking for a new one. Remember that thicker skimboards are less responsive, but they do float and glide across the waves better. Meanwhile, thinner skimboards offer more maneuverability, but they are hard to control, especially at full speed.

How Much Does a Skimboard Weigh?

The weight of skimboards often varies depending on the materials used. Skimboards are either made of wood or foam core. Of these two, wooden boards are usually the heavier ones. Wooden boards are usually 18 to 22 pounds, sometimes even heavier.

Meanwhile, foam core boards that have fiberglass are significantly less heavy. They typically weigh between 3 to 5 pounds. This weight of foam core boards makes them lighter and more buoyant.

What Is the Best Size Skimboard?

To get a skimboard that is appropriate to your physical characteristics, the general rule is that it should reach about mid-chest. However, the “best size” skimboard differ from one person to another because we all have different height and weight.

There are also other factors that would affect getting the best size skimboard, like your skill level and your riding goals.

Are Skimboards Flat?

Skimboarding may be the sport of riding and sliding along the shore towards the water on “flat boards,” but skimboards are not really necessarily “flat.” While the deck of a skimboard is relatively horizontally leveled, you will notice that the nose or tip of a skimboard is curved a little way upward.

This curvature is also called rocker, and it helps your board to transition smoothly from the sand to the water. Skimboards with higher curvature are called steeper rocker, and they are suitable for rougher water and higher waves. On the other hand, skimboards with lower curvature are called shallow rocker, and they help you gain more speed, and they are best suited for calm and flat water.

How Do You Pick the Right Size Skimboard?

As a general rule, the skimboard should reach your waist or mid-chest. However, this is just not a one-and-done type of deal because there are other considerations aside from the height of the skimboard.

The right size skimboard should be appropriate to your physical characteristics (including your height and weight), your skill level, and your riding style. You should also be particular in choosing the right shape, flex, and size to be able to enjoy the sport better.

How Long Should My Skimboard Be?

Choosing the length of your skimboard is affected by many factors, and your weight is one of the most crucial factors out of all of them. If your weight is lower, you can handle small boards, but if you weigh significantly higher, you would need a bigger board to support your weight while also being able to float.

To guide you better here is a size chart based on body weight and the length of the board

• If you are less than 36 kg or less than 80 lbs, you should get a Double Extra Small (XXS) board which is 45 inches in length and 19 inches in width.
• If you are 36 to 45 kg or approximately 80 to 100 lbs, you should get an Extra Small (XS) board which is 48 inches in length and 19.25 inches in width.
• If you are 45 to 64 kg or approximately 100 to 140 lbs, you should get a Small (S) board that is 51 inches in length and 19.75 inches in width.
• If you are 54 to 73 kg or approximately 120 to 160 lbs, you should get a Medium (M) board which is 52 inches in length and 20 inches in width.
• If you are 64 to 82 kg or approximately 140 to 180 lbs, you should get a Medium to Large (ML) board which is 52.25 inches in length and 20.25 inches in width.
• If you are 73 to 91 kg or approximately 160 to 200 lbs, you should get a Large (L) board that is 52.50 inches in length and 20.50 inches in width.
• If you are 82 to 100 kg or approximately 180 to 220 lbs, you should get an Extra-Large (XL) board which is 53 inches in length and 20.75 inches in width.
• If you are 91 to 109 kg or approximately 200 to 240 lbs, you should get a Double Extra Large (XXL) board which is 54 inches in length and 21.50 inches in width.

How Thick Should a Skimboard Be?

The thickness of your skimboard should be appropriate to your skill level. The thickness of your skimboard allows you to travel farther, but if the board is too thick, they are less responsive. On the other hand, if they are too thin, they are harder to control at full speed. The most common thicknesses of skimboards are 5/8 and 3/4 inch.

If you are a beginner, it is recommended to get a thicker board which is about 3/4 inch. This thickness will help you learn how to glide smoother and better across the water. More advanced skimboarders use boards that are 5/8 in thickness. Boards this thick have are more responsive.

Is There a Weight Limit for Skimboarding?

There is technically no weight limit in skimboarding. However, there are certain weights that a particular skimboard can handle. Skimboards come in different sizes, including XXS, XS, X, M, ML (medium to large), L, XL, and XXL, and they cater to a specific range of weight.

If you try to ride a skimboard that is too big or too small for you, your experience might not be good as the skimboard will not move as smoothly compared to when you are using an appropriate size board.

What Size Skimboard Should I Buy?

The size of skimboard that you should buy is something that is purely a personal preference. A skimboard that might be perfect for your friend may not give you the best time in the water. Take into consideration the factors that should affect your decision-making.

These factors include your height, weight, skill level, and riding style. You should also take note of the wave activity in your location of choice.

What Are the Best Skimboard Brands?

Whether you are on the lookout for a beginner board or you want to upgrade, you can choose from a wide range of selections from the best skimboard brands in the world. These include the following skimboard manufacturers:

• Victoria Skimboards: Victoria Skimboards has been in the skimboard-making business since 1976. Established in Laguna Beach by skimboarding legend Charles “Tex” Haines and business partner Peter Prietto, Victoria Skimboards continues to manufacture high-quality and innovative skimboards with creative designs. Victoria Skimboards hosts Laguna Beach’s Annual World Championship of Skimboarding. The company produces skimboards for both wave and sand skimming, and they have a variety of options for both beginners and advanced skimboarders.
• Zap Skimboards: Owned by Robert “Bob” Smetts, Zap Skimboards is considered to be the world’s biggest skimboard manufacturer. It has been in the business since 1983. Smetts started skimming at the age of six, and his love for skimboarding and surfing has translated to producing high-quality and high-performance boards. Zap is often seen on skimboarding championships and competitions as one of the top choices of champion skimboarders.
• Exile Skimboards: Exile Skimboard LLC may be a lot younger than the first two brands, but it easily became one of the most popular skimboarding brands in the world. Established in 2002 by Aaron Peluso and Andy Chiavetta, Exile was quickly known as one of the largest manufacturers of high-end boards. Exile has been one of the favorites of top skimboarders, and the company boasts of several championships won while using their skimboards. Exile ships internationally, and they offer board customization to their customers.
• DB Skimboards: DB Skimboards was established in Dash Point, Washington, and it has been around since 2003. Founded by business partners Isaac Thomas, Richard Docter, Tim Mackey, and Bryce Hermansen, DB used to only manufacture skimboards used for flatland skimboarding and longboard skateboards, but they have since expanded from those two. DB boards proudly use only premium materials, and they are dedicated to sustainability and reducing waste.
• Wave Zone Skimboards: Since its establishment in Manatee County in Florida in 1990, Wave Zone Custom Surf Shop has been producing custom boards for surfing, skimming, skateboarding, and windsurfing. Owned by Jeff Shinham, Wave Zone Skimboard is known to be one of the fastest-growing board manufacturers in the US.
• Meyer Boarding Company: The Meyer Boarding Company has been around since 1985, when it was founded by Mike Meyer. Since 2009, it has been taken over by brothers Dan and Matt Cassidy. The Meyer Boarding Company offers a wide selection of boards that have been handcrafted and customize from design to completion. This proud American board manufacturer is also known for extending the goals of the company to the community. They host multiple workshops like paint workshops that allow kids to participate.
• Body Glove: The Body Glove has been around since 1953 when they first opened Dive N’ Surf, where they designed the first wetsuit or “body glove” with their discovery, the Rubitex. The owners, Bill and Bob Meistrel, spent the next few decades perfecting the Body Glove and coming up with different designs and constructions. From the humble beginnings of Body Glove to their meteoric rise to fame, they have expanded their products to boards, gears, accessories, life vests, bags, and basically everything that you would need for an enjoyable day at the beach.
• Grape Skimboards: Founded by Paul Wade in 2003, Grape Skimboards is known to produce high-quality skimboards that can compete with the more popular brands established before it. Grape Skimboards continues to master the art of board making.
• Wavestorm: Wavestorm is under the management of AGIT Global, which is known as one of the developers of modern foam technology. AGIT Global’s factory is located in Taiwan, where they develop products, procure raw materials, design and manufacture products, and house and ship their finished products. There are several board sports brands under the management of AGIT Global, including Wavestorm, Storm Blade, True Wave, No. 6, Water Buddies, and Sno-Storm. The Wavestorm brand is known for its collection of exquisitely made surfboards, skimboards, and water sports accessories.
• South Bay Board Co.: Operated by the Board and Beach Company, South Bay Board Co.’s goal is to produce high-quality and high performance boards that will not hurt your budget. Tired of the obscene prices of off-the-rack boards, they decided that they want to provide the growing community of paddlers with boards that are made with quality materials that are also affordable. South Bay Board manufactures all sorts of boards for all your paddling needs, including surf boards, paddle boards, wake surf boards, body boards, and skimboards. They also carry all sorts of gear and accessories for your needs.
• Fedmax: Fedmax is a one-stop-shop for basically all your needs. Whether you need anything for your home and kitchen or crafts, and even health, Fedmax probably has it. And that’s not all! Fedmax also carries a wide range of skimboarding products. You can buy IXPE foam skimboards, wood skimboards, and even fiberglass skimboards. They have different sizes, weights, and designs, so you can choose your perfect board.

Are Zap Skimboards Good?

Zap Skimboards is one of the top skimboard manufacturers in the world. They produce thousands of skimboards, and they supply different types of skimboards in many countries all over the world.

Zap is known for its high quality skimboards. For the quality of the construction and the materials used, they still produce very affordable skimboards. They also produce skimboards with different cores, which means that whether you are into wood skimboards or foam core boards, you will surely find the best for you.

Zap also manufacture a wide range of sizes, shapes, and design to cater to the needs of every rider. From beginners to advanced skimboarders, Zap carries a lot of options. Zap skimboards are also great for skimboarding in rivers and lakes.

Which Zap Skimboard Should I Get?

There are a lot of notable Zap skimboards that have revolutionized the sport of skimboarding. Some of their products that are worth mentioning are as follows:

• Zap Wedge Medium Skimboard: Highly recommended for beginners, the Wedge Medium Skimboard comes in three sizes, namely small, medium, and large. The Wedge Medium is great for entry level wave riding, sand skimming, and even easy tricks. This board comes in several colors and boasts a very strong core. It can carry a rider weighing anything between 35 to 55 kg.
• Zap Lazer Skimboard: Zap came out with the Lazer line, and it carries two sizes, including the mini and regular. The Zap Lazer Skimboard, the regular size skimboard, comes with a pintail. The Zap Lazer Skimboard is great for people who are just starting out with skimboarding. The Zap Lazer can only carry a rider with a maximum weight of 37 kg. The Zap Lazer is highly regarded for its durability and excellent quality. It is recommended for sand skimming.
• Zap Lazer Mini Skimboard – Custom Artwork: This is the “Mini” version of the Zap Lazer. The Lazer Mini looks almost identical to the regular one except for its squash tail. This board is also great for sand skimming, especially for kids who are just starting out with the sport. This board is very kid-friendly but take note that it can only carry a rider with a maximum weight of 35 kg. The Lazer mini is 35.5 inches in length, 18.75 inches in width, and 3/8 inch in thickness. What makes it stand out against its bigger counterpart is the amazing, one of a kind, custom artwork that the Zap artists specifically design for the board.
• Zap Fish Skimboard: If you want to advance from sand skimming and you want to take on somewhat bigger waves, then you should definitely get the Zap Fish Skimboard. This board is particularly great for riding small to medium size waves. The Fish Skimboard offers stability. It is 47 inches in length and 20.5 inches in width. It can carry a rider with a maximum weight of 73 kg.
• Zap Wedge Large Skimboard: The Wedge Large Skimboard is 49 inches in length, 19.76 inches in width, and 5/8 inch in thickness. This board comes in three different sizes, and it can carry a rider with a maximum weight of 170 pounds. The Wedge Large Skimboard is designed to have a thicker core, and it is constructed with Zap’s patented Composolite. This is highly recommended for beginners because of its durability and its affordability.

Are Slapfish Skimboards Good?

Slapfish are also known to manufacture top notch skimboards. This proudly American skimboard company produces different kinds of skimboards. They boast of skimboards that are handcrafted with precision.

Slapfish skimboards usually come with traction deck grip, but they give their customers the option if they want it on their board or not. You can check out their wide range of skimboard offerings on Amazon.

What Is the Best Skimboard to Buy?

If you are on the fence on what skimboard to buy, here is a list of some of the best skimboards in the market today:

• BPS ‘Gator’ Skimboard: The Gator comes in three different sizes. The dimensions of the boards include a) 29.5 inches in length, 16 inches in width, and 0.25 inch in thickness; b) 34.7 inches in length, 19.2 inches in width, and 0.5 inch in thickness; and lastly, c) 41 inches in length, 19.75 inches in width, and 0.25 inch in thickness. The board weighs 2.5, 3.3, and 5.6 lbs, respectively. And they each could carry 80, 150, 220 lbs of rider respectively. The Gator is made with a wood core which is protected with high-quality gloss. The deck of this board is made with an EVA foam layer. It also has a built-in grip pad. It has six color options, and they are great for skimboarders of all skill levels.
• Sunspecs Rubber Top Wooden Skimboard: This wooden skimboard comes in three different sizes, including 30, 36, and 41 inches. The dimensions of the boards include a) 30 inches in length, 19.5 inches in width, and 0.3 inch in thickness; b) 36 inches in length, 19.2 inches in width, and 0.6 inch in thickness; and c) 41 inches in length, 20 inches in width, and 1.2 inch in thickness. The smallest size weighs around 3.8 lbs. The boards can carry a maximum weight of 120, 160, and 220 lbs, respectively. The Sunspecs Rubber Top Wooden Skimboard comes in a whopping 16 colors. It can support skimboarders of all skill levels
• Wavestorm 48” Skimboard: The Wavestorm 48” only comes in one size, and its dimensions are 48 inches, 20.5 inches in width, and 3 inches in thickness. It weighs 3 lbs, and it can support a rider with a maximum weight of 185 lbs. It comes in a beautiful Navy color, and it is recommended for beginner skimboarders due to its size. It is constructed with an EPS core which makes it durable.
• DB Standard Streamline Skimboard: This DB skimboard comes in medium and large sizes with these dimensions a) Medium – 41.4 inches in length, 19.63 inches in width and 0.25 inch in thickness, and b) Large – 43.4 inches in length, 20.5 inches in width, and 0.5 inch in thickness. The boards weigh 7.5 and 8.2 inches, respectively, and they both support a rider with a maximum weight of over 100 lbs. This board comes in blue and black, and it supports riders of all skill levels. The DB Standard Streamline skimboard is a versatile skimboard that you can use to ride the waves and to skim sands with. It is constructed with EVA foam on the deck and has a high traction deck to prevent slips.
• Fedmax Skimboard with High Gloss Coat: This Fedmax Skimboard comes in only one size. It is 41 inches in length, 20 inches in width, and 0.5 inch in thickness. It weighs 4.9 pounds, and it can support riders weighing anything between 80 to 140 lbs. It comes in green and blue, and it is more recommended for intermediate to more advanced riders. This particular Fedmax skimboard has a high gloss surf wax coat, and it is made with poplar wood. This board is made lightweight, durable, and, most importantly, affordable.
• Atom Skimboard: This wooden board is 41 inches in length, 20 inches in width, and 0.5 inch in thickness. It weighs 4.9 pounds, and it can support a rider whose weight is anything between 80 to 140 lbs. The Atom Skimboard is highly recommended for more advanced riders, those who want to perform tricks, and for those wanting to up their game. This wooden skimboard is made with sturdy poplar. Not only is this board beautiful with its impressive color design and creative top graphic, but it is also impressively durable and affordable.

What Is the Best Skimboard for Beginners?

If you want to try skimboarding but you don’t know what skimboard to get, you came to the right place. Here is a short list of the best entry level skimboards that you can buy:

• BPS ‘Shaka’ Skimboards: The Shaka comes in three different sizes. The dimensions of the boards are as follows: a) 30 inches in length, 15.7 inches in width, and 0.35 inch in thickness; b) 35 inches in length, 19 inches in width, and 0.5 inch in thickness; and c) 40 inches in length, 20 inches in width, and 1.25 inches in thickness. The boards weigh 2.5, 3.6, and 4.4 lbs., respectively. The 30-inch board can support a maximum weight of 80 lbs. while the 35-inch board can support a maximum weight of 80 to 150 lbs. The biggest of the three boards can support a rider weighing over 150 lbs. Because of the size of the board, the Shaka is highly recommended for beginners, but it is equally good for more advanced riders as well. The Shaka is made with high-quality wood, and it is made with a layer of EVA foam. It is finished with a high gloss coat, and it has a built-in grip pad.
• Fedmax – Carbon Fibre Avac by Apex: Whether you are a first time rider or you want to get serious with skimboarding, this Carbon Fibre Avac is meant for you. This board is great for sand skimming, and it is also recommended for doing tricks (it even has a trick guide included when you buy one!). The Carbon Fibre Avac can easily help you become an intermediate beginner if you practice hard enough. This board has built-in traction pads, so the instances of slipping are very low. This Fedmax skimboard is highly durable because the nose and tail are made with carbon fiber, while the body is made with fiberglass. It is also finished with a high gloss coating, ensuring that it won’t be waterlogged.
• Victoria Woody: The Victoria Woody is a wood skimboard which explains it has a very affordable price. But don’t be fooled, nothing about this beast is made cheap. This board is made by Victoria Skimboards, which is one of the top skimboard manufacturing brands in the world. Since Woody is made of sturdy wood, it is understandably heavier than fiberglass ones, but they are amazing for sand skimming and flatland skimboarding. It is 41.6 inches in length and 3/8 inch in thickness. The Victoria Woody weighs 6.6 lbs, and it can carry a rider with a maximum weight of 200 lbs. This board is made of Russian Birch, and it is made more awesome by the beautiful hand painted deck design.
• Wave Zone Diamond: This board is 40.5 inches in length and it is 3.8 inch in thickness. The Wave Zone Diamond weighs 7 lbs. and it can support a rider with a maximum weight of 110 lbs. It comes in this beautiful green and white design that anyone would be happy to have. The Wave Zone Diamond is made with a foam core, and it has a fiberglass outer layer, which makes it durable, lightweight, and fast. This board is both great for sand skimming and riding small waves.
• Beachmail Deluxe: The Beachmail Deluxe comes in four different sizes, with the smallest being 30 inches in length and 9/20 inch thickness. The smallest board weighs 3.2 lbs, and it can support a rider with a maximum weight of 80 lbs. Meanwhile, the biggest board weighs 5.2 lbs. This board is made from solid wood and boasts a beautiful red and blue design. The Beachmail Deluxe has an EVA traction pad which ensures that you won’t be slipping on the board. It has a protective resin on both sides which adds to its speed. This board is very lightweight and very durable.

What Skimboards Do Pros Use?

Pro skimboarders prefer to use high-performance foam core boards. This is because foam core boards are generally lighter, more buoyant, more flexible, and overall more durable compared to wooden skimboards. Professional skimboarders prefer skimboards that can withstand heavy usage, especially since they use them all the time for both practice and competitions.

Professionals also gravitate towards skimboards that are wrapped in one or a combination of fiberglass, epoxy, or carbon. The combination of the foam core and these wraps adds to the flotation of the skimboard, which is preferred when professionals go wave riding.

Skimboarders often have their favorites when it comes to skimboard and skimboarding brands.

What Skimboard Does Austin Keen Use?

Austin Keen’s skimboarding brand of choice is Exile. He liked it so much that he was even quoted saying that it is the best skimboard brand in the world. Exile has been a longtime supporter of Keen that the famous skimboarder and skimboard brand teamed up to develop a signature Keen skimboard.

Keen is a famous multi-sport athlete who excels in both skimboarding and wake surfing. He has won numerous competitions, which put him on the map as one of the skimboarding greats.

What Skimboard Does Blair Conklin Use?

Through the years, Blair Conklin has been seen using many different skimboards. He is known to have used and collaborated with Exile Skimboards. Conklin has also released his signature surfboard and bodyboard line with Catch Surf which includes Classic PRO Bodyboard x Blair Conklin Model, 54 Special x Blair Conklin PRO, and Stump (Thruster) – 5’0” x Blair Conklin PRO.

Blair Conklin started skimboarding at age four and started getting serious at age 15. Now, he is known as one of the best and most popular skimboarding champions.

How Do You Buy a Skimboard?

There are many options now on how and where you can buy your skimboard. If you are lucky and you happen to live by or close enough to the beach with a bubbling board sports culture, then you can easily purchase any skimboard from surf shops. There are also sports goods stores that sell and specialize in mainly gears used in different water activities.

Thanks to the internet, you can even buy your skimboard with just a simple click. Most skimboard brands have websites where they directly sell their boards. It is easy to pick from their wide range of options, and the skimboard will be delivered straight to your doorstep.

Many of these brands also sell their skimboards via Amazon. You can just go to the search bar and look for a certain brand or model and purchase it. You can score good deals and discounts on Amazon if you check out your skimboard during the sale season.

Does Walmart Have Skimboards?

Walmart does carry a wide range of skimboard options. These are skimboards from both popular and small skimboarding brands like BPS, Drift sun, South Bay Board, and AGIT Global, among many others.

The Walmart website also sells other skimboarding accessories and gears, such as skimboard bags, traction pads, and deck pads. The website also has free shipping rewards and other discounts.

What Skimboard Should I Buy?

Choosing your skimboard will be based mainly on your personal preference. In choosing your skimboard, you must always remember to consider your height, weight, skill level, riding style, the wave activity in your area, the shape, the rockers, the thickness, and the material used.

You can do research on what brand or model would best fit you. If you are a first-time skimboarder, you can go directly to surf shops so you can talk to people who are knowledgeable in the sport.

Do not get a skimboard model just because your friend uses it because chances are, it won’t be the best fit for you. The only way to test if a skimboard is perfect for you is to use it and to grow with it.

What Else Do You Need for a Skimboard?

While your skimboard is basically all that you will need for skimboarding, it won’t hurt to own other accessories as well that would protect or improve the way your skimboard works. For one, it is highly recommended that you get yourself some wax. Your skimboard will be super slippery, especially once it hits the water, and the wax will help you to stay in place.

If you think that waxing and removing wax on your board is too much work, you can choose to buy traction pads (also called traction deck grip) for your skimboard instead. Traction pads also help your feet to stay firmly on the board. There are many kinds of traction pads, and you can customize yours for optimal use.

While it is not necessary, it is still good to own a skimboard bag. This will help protect your skimboard, especially if you will be storing it for a very long time.