Skimboards are one of the most amazing leisure and sports tools and equipment I have ever tried. I am not a professional, but a passionate surfer on skim boards. The delicate feeling of balance combined with freedom and being close to water is priceless. However, not all skimboards can guarantee a safe and pleasurable experience.
Some of the best skimboards on the market should definitely enable you to establish a safe balance (depending on your skills), enjoy, and control the board and your movements easily. Also, you should learn more about skimboards before buying one, in order to be able to recognize a durable, quality model.
In this article, we will introduce you to the magical world of top skimboards made by reputable brands today.
Skimboard is a special type of surfboard, designed especially for shallow water riding. You don’t need large waves to enjoy skimboarding. This sport is an amazingly enjoyable type of recreation. It requires achieving balance and good coordination of one’s moves on the water surface.
Logically, you will need to have a quality skimboard to achieve that. This is why you should learn more about how to choose the best skim board for your individual needs.
How to Choose the Perfect Skim Board Size for You?
If you want to buy skimboard, you will have to know something about the board sizes. A good skimboard can turn into a terrible one if its dimensions don’t suit your physical properties. So, it's better to choose your skimboard as per the skimboards size chart.
The relation between the size of the board and weight of the user is determined by experts and it looks like this:
Small models (measuring 45 inches or less) should be used by users who weigh between 80 and 140 lbs.
Medium size models (45-47 inches) should be used by those who weigh between 80 and 140 lbs.
Medium-Large models (measuring between 47 and 49 inches) should be used by those who weigh from 140 to 180 lbs.
Large models (49-51 inches) are suitable for those who weigh between 160 and 200 lbs.
Finally, extra-large models that measure more than 51 inches are the best choice for those who weigh between 180 and 220 lbs.
How Did We Pick the Best Skimboard?
Picking the best skim board is not easy, even for the professionals. There are so many products on the market and an inexperienced user can easily fall into the trap of going for the most expensive one or buying a poor-quality product.
That’s why we joined our forces, and consulted experts, as well as took into account the community-based usage and reviews. We also spent a lot of time on the Internet, researching the factors that distinguish the very best models from the mid-range products, and the low-quality ones.
We finally made a value grid that served as a guideline during our research for an objective evaluation of different models. Some of the factors we took into consideration are the type of the board, construction, core materials, wrap materials, size, shape, weight, rocker, speed, traction, durability, flexibility, wave size, and value for the money. Let’s get started!
Things to Consider While Buying Skimboards
Write some initial words that suit this section, then discuss the following points one by one.
Type
There are two main types of skimboarding. The wave riding and inland riding.
Wave riding is a type of skimboarding that is practiced on an ocean or sea, and it requires boards that are designed for waves.
Inland riding is practiced on continental sea bodies, such as rivers and lakes. These still waters require a different type, shape, and construction of boards as well.
Construction & Materials
There are three basic core materials – foam, wood, and fiberglass. Let’s meet each of them.
- Foam – These boards are the lightest ones on the market. They can stay on the water surface for a long time. They are also very flexible.
- Wood – These boards are heavier but thinner. They have a higher weight limit. They can be used inland and on the coast. However, you can stay on the water surface for a shorter period of time.
- Fiberglass – These boards cost significantly less than those made from wood and foam. They usually don’t have lots of features, but reinforcements with other materials, such as carbon, can enhance their performance.
- Wrap Materials
Wrap materials include E-glass, s-glass and Texilium, and carbon. Each of these materials has its pros and cons.
E-glass is the most common wrap material for skimboards. It is the poorest choice though. It does not provide anti-wear and anti-tear protection. On the other hand, it does improve the board flexibility.
S-glass and Textilium are good for increased speed and strength. Boards with these materials are in the mid-price category. These boards are somewhat stiffer.
Carbon is reserved for pricey and quality skimboards. It adds stiffness, but also provides excellent rock-damage protection to the board.
Size and Shape
Size is a very important factor that heavily affects your performance and possibilities of the board. Usually, beginners choose larger models that provide lots of foot area. This results in a better sense of balance.
More experienced users opt for smaller models that allow making blunt angles and leaps. We can summarize the board size factor in the following way. Smaller boards are better for flexibility and are the best choice for experienced users, while larger models are better for beginners as they provide more foot space.
Weight
Weight is another important factor, as you will want to carry the board around and to run with it. In addition, too heavy boards will limit your performance.
On the other hand, it has to be heavy enough to supper your weight. In general, wooden boards are heavier and have a higher weight limit, while other materials are lightweight, but have a lower weight limit. You should look for a model which is neither too light nor too heavy.
Rocker
Let’s first define what the rocker is. It is the curvature at the head of a skimboard. The relation between the rocker and the skimboard performance is tight. Simply put, if the rocker is bigger, the board will curve upward. Fewer curve results in faster skimming on calm water.
Summary of the rocker types looks like this. Shallow rockers are good for easy movements, suitable for calmer water, and are faster. Steep rockers are good for choppy water and result in slower movement. Pintail rocker is the best choice for a good balance, while the square/W-tail rocker is the best option for extra flexibility and for skimming stunts.
Speed
Speed is very important when you are skimboarding. You have to catch the waves. In other words, you must be faster than they are. Therefore, you should pick a fast board. At the same time, stability and balance should not be compromised. Materials and shape of the board heavily affect its speed.
Traction
As you can assume, skimboards are usually very slippery. This is why different types of traction aid solutions are a plus. You can also buy them separately, but it is a great advantage if your manufacturer or seller provides them with the board.
Durability
Durability is affected by a number of factors, including board construction (multiple layer boards are usually chosen by the riders), materials, material grade, finish surface, as well as protective layers.
Flexibility
Flexibility is important for maneuvering and tricks that are your own riding style signature. Shape and materials heavily affect board flexibility.
Wave Size
Wave size is an important factor you must take into consideration when deciding on the board size. The wave size is different in different areas and we don’t know where you will be using your board, but remember to pay attention to this factor before making your purchase.
Also, wood is better for shallow water, while foam is best for large waves.
Value for the Money
Best skimboard brands generally provide very good value for the money. On the other hand, cheap skimboard scan also sometimes surprise you with its qualities. You can find some good cheap skimboards with qualities that are usually found only in more expensive models. When you read our top 10 skimboard review, you will learn more about one of such products.
Our Top 10 Best Skimboards
We have categorized our top ten picks according to the type they belong to and after analyzing their basic factors, such as shape, size, material, etc., discussed in the previous sections, we made a thorough and detailed classification of the best models on the market. Now, you can find the specific product you need according to your preferences.
Tips on Riding a Skimboard
Here are some tips on using a skim board:
- Start by pushing the board into the water and immediately run to catch it.
- Jump on the board with one foot and bend your knees.
- You must find the optimal balance spot – step on the board firmly in a way that provides a sense of security.
- Take advantage of your dominant body side and practice on that side.
- Wax your board and use the traction pads, especially if you are a beginner.
- Don’t be afraid of falling, as falls are the essential parts of this sport.
You can read this detailed article on skimboarding tips and tricks for the beginners, mid-level and advanced skimmers for more practical knowledge.
Care and Maintenance of Skimboards
You should take care of your skimboard and properly maintain it in order to keep it in good condition. Here are some tips you should stick to.
- Protect it from the sun, as “baking” your skimboard will definitely damage the polish, as well as the inner structure, making it brittle and fragile. This will significantly shorten its lifetime.
- Repair the dings, as cracks will widen with time and eventually lead to complete board breakage.
- Pack it if you plan to travel with it, as dropping it or hitting the edges can cause serious damage.
Final Words
We hope you learned new things from this skimboard buying guide. We have discussed the criteria important for choosing the best model and tried to give you a detailed, analytical, and a comprehensive guide to choosing the right skimboards. We selected the ten best skimboards on the market.
First of all, BPS Gator series skimboards are the very best models according to the professional reviews, user-based comments, as well as our testing. These skimboards satisfy all criteria of a good board.
Secondly, we chose the Lucky Bums Wood Skimboard as the best value for the money. It has advanced features and quality materials expected from more expensive models.
Finally, we can say that you should focus on your needs and preferences when choosing the skimboard, as there are many different types, including skimboards for kids, for beginners, skimboards with handles, etc., that are suitable for different categories.
