{"id":737,"date":"2022-01-07T00:13:57","date_gmt":"2022-01-07T05:13:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beachfix.com\/?p=737"},"modified":"2022-01-07T00:13:59","modified_gmt":"2022-01-07T05:13:59","slug":"skimboard-buying-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beachfix.com\/skimboarding\/skimboard-buying-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Choose a Skimboard | Skimboard Buying Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Are you looking to take up skimboarding<\/a> (or maybe you already have) and you’re interested in buying a new skimboard? If so, you’re in the right place! We’re going to share a complete skimboard buying guide with everything you need to know before your purchase. From the various features of a skimboard and materials to what boards work best for different types of skimming, we’ve got it all!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Skimboard<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We’re also going to share the best skimboard brands and answer common questions so that you can choose the right skimboard for you. Let’s get to it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Skimboard Construction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When you’re shopping for the perfect skimboard, you’ll find wooden and foam boards mostly. Wood and foam are the primary materials found in skimboards. The board’s material will reflect its flexibility, weight, and size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A foam skimboard, also referred to as a foamie, is typically more pricey than a wooden skimboard. Their flexible, lightweight, and durable material make them better for waves than wooden ones, which are heavier and stiffer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We’ll touch more on this later, but foamies are generally used at West Coast beaches, while wooden skimboards serve best for flatland and inland skimming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wooden Skimboards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"A
A wooden skimboard is an affordable first board option for beginners. (Credit: Sve82\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

These are more solid, heavier boards than their foam counterparts. Usually made from birch or mahogany plywoods, wood skimboards are for flatland skimming and small waves. This is what we refer to for those who do sand skimming or in shallow waters. They’re used more in non-coastal waters like at the lake and river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wood skimboards are usually more affordable than higher-end foam boards. Those who are on a budget and beginners can appreciate this. If you’re just trying to find out if skimboarding is for you, you may feel more comfortable not forking out a lot of money and starting off with a wooden board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because of their weight, wooden boards are not intended for deeper waters\u2014the kind you find when you skimboard straight out from the beach and into the waves. Doing this with a wooden board can easily result in you losing your board to the bottom of the ocean because it’ll sink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the upside, wood boards are durable. However, you don’t want one that’s too thin given windy beach weather. Imagine running along the edge of the water and tossing your board down. If the board is too light and the wind catches it, there’s a good chance your board will be gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foam Skimboards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Foam
Foam skimboards are often the most preferred board as they’re lightweight, flexible, and great for waves. (Credit: Pascalipatou\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Avid skimboarders usually prefer foam boards. Foamies usually cost more, but they’re much easier to handle and use, especially when hitting the waves. This is because their material is flexible, floats well, and is lightweight. These boards are great for boarders of all ages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While foam skimboards are often the most preferred, especially for skilled beach skimboarders, there are some downsides. Usually, foamies cost more than wooden boards. They’re also more likely to break after a good bit of use or if not handled with care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In summary:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foam boards<\/em> are lightweight, flexible, pricey, and great for wave riding. Meanwhile, wood boards<\/em> are heavier, sink more easily, best for non-coastal waters and sand skimming, and more affordable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carbon Fiber Skimboard<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While wooden and foam core boards are the most popular, the skimboarding world has more recently turned to carbon fiber<\/a> for construction materials. Carbon fiber is light and robust, which means its strength-to-weight ratio is high. As a result, these skimboards are lightweight without being flimsy or insubstantial. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These boards are generally for the more serious skimboarders and are ideal for wave skimboarding, although if you\u2019re doing flatland skimming, a carbon fiber board will serve you well. The trade-off, as you can imagine, is the cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These boards can get a little pricey, so they aren’t usually the first choice for beginners as foam core boards are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Skimboard Wraps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No matter what the core of your board is, skimboards have a wrap. The wrap is where you see the intricate colors and patterns you may want for your board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Skimboard
Skimboard wraps can provide a design for your board along with extra durability. (Credit: richard pross\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Wraps aren\u2019t just for looks, though. They protect the core from water damage and can also contribute to a board\u2019s durability. Most wraps are carbon, E-glass, or S-glass, and each has its advantages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carbon<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Chosen by many skimboarders as the best wrap, carbon is also the most expensive option. This is why you find it most often on more pricey boards. Just like the carbon fiber used for some boards, carbon wrap is exceptionally durable. While we wouldn\u2019t go so far as to say it\u2019s impervious to damage, it comes pretty close.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

E-glass<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

E-glass, a type of fiberglass, is the most common wrap<\/a> by far. While it’s flexible, it’s not always as strong or durable as other wraps. With that said, it\u2019s more prone to damage from rocks or other beach detritus you will almost always encounter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

S-glass<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

S-glass is a stronger and more durable version of e-glass, so it does cost more. However, it may be an investment you want to make since it’s less prone to damage. As it\u2019s a bit stiffer than E-glass, S-glass wraps make for faster speeds as you ride waves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Skimboard Shape<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you can picture surfboards scaled-down, you can imagine the shape of a skimboard. While surfboards typically have fins, skimboards don’t. Otherwise, their shapes are similar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The absence of fins on a skimboard means learning to control the board. This can be more complicated than learning the same on a surfboard. Fins also add stability, so riding a skimboard will not feel as steady or secure as on a surfboard. Let’s take a look at what defines a skimboard’s shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tails<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The main tail shape types for a skimboard are: pintail, swallowtail, and square tail. The pintail is more common on less expensive boards. However, that\u2019s not to say that a pintail is a beginner board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n