What size of bodyboard should I get – Bodyboard size chart

Are you looking for a new bodyboard to enjoy surfing? Then I think you will surely fall in confusion with the right size of bodyboard for you. That’s why this article comes to you with a discussion of the right size of bodyboard for you and making it easier to have a size chart of bodyboards.

If you are new in the field of surfing, choosing the right size of bodyboard won’t be an easy task for you. You need to consider a few things before selecting the right size of the bodyboard. Now I’m going to discuss these few things to make it easier for you to choose the right bodyboard size.

bodyboard size chart

Bodyboard size chart

Board length (inch)	Boarder’s height (cm)	Boarder’s weight (Kg)
~ 30	60 – 99	13 – 20
30	100 – 130	20 – 25
32	110 – 140	20 – 30
34	115 – 145	25 – 35
36	120 – 150	30 – 45
37	123 – 153	35 – 50
37.5	130 – 155	35 – 55
38	135 – 155	35 – 58
38.5	137 – 158	38 – 58
39	140 – 162	40 – 60
39.5	147 – 165	42 – 65
40	157 – 167	42 – 72
40.5	158 – 170	50 – 80
41	160 – 173	55 – 85
41.5	165 – 179	60 – 90
42	168 – 183	65 – 95
42.5	170 – 187	70 – 100
43	172 – 190	70 – 105
43.5	175 – 190	75 – 130
44	175 – 195	75 – 130
45	185 – 200	80 – 135
46 +	190 – 220	85 – 145

Read more: Top 10 Best places to bodyboarding in the world

what bodyboard should i get

Your height

​ What should be length of the board largely depends on the height of the user. It’s natural that, if you are a taller guy then you should require a longer bodyboard. Similarly, a shorter board is going to be perfect for a comparatively shorter guy. If the length of the board is not appropriate to your height, this will create a lot of problems to control the board while surfing. As a general rule of thumb, while standing on the ground, the board’s height should reach your belly button.

Your weight

Don’t think that only your height is going to affect the sizing of your bodyboard, your weight is also a fact to consider in this list. Just imagine that you and your friend have the same height, but your weigh more than him. So the same size of bodyboard won’t be able to carry different weights of bodies. That’s why the heavier you are the longer bodyboard you should use. You should also look for a wider bodyboard that suits your body perfectly.

Body type

It’s the fact that it brings both the height and weight of the bodyboarders in consideration at the same time, which makes it easier to choose the right size of bodyboard. Depending on the body type I’ve made four categories.

• Tall & thinner guy: For these bodyboarders, a longer and thin board will be perfect for best controlling and floation.
• Tall & average/ heavier guy: For these guys, longer but wider boards are recommended.
• Short & thinner guy: Shorter and thinner bodyboards are perfect of these guys for having better floatation and control.
• Short & average/ heavier guy: For these guys, shorter but wider boards are recommended.

Wave type 

Typically, you will face two types of waves during bodyboarding. Now the question is which type of bodyboard you need to select depending on the wave type. Let’s make it easier for you.

• Small waves: If you are going to face smaller waves, then you can look for larger or bodyboards that are longer in length. Again the board should be thicker, which will help you to float with ease. I’m suggesting this longer bodyboard because although these are bit slower and have less control, it will offer you better floating during small waves.
• Big waves: For big waves, just use shorter bodyboards without any hesitation. But why? Because shorter and thinner boards will offer you more control to help you easily deal with the waves. Though these boards provide you less float compared to the longer boards, but has enough ability to help you float on big waves.

Now, let’s discuss the facts that you should consider in your bodyboard before choosing the right size of board for you.

Board core

Nowadays, two mostly used core materials are dow polyethylene foam or PE and polypropylene foam or PP. EPS is also being used numerously as a core material. PE boards offer excellent flexibility and a solid all-round performance in cold water conditions. However, PE boards are lighter and stiffer than other boards.

Stringers

It has included the materials used to make a bodyboard to increase its core strength. It also provides near-instant recoil and increased projection. Stringers run through the middle of the bodyboard.

Tails 

If you are looking for stability and faster bodyboarding experience, then you should o with a wider tail. However, narrower tails will provide you great maneuverability. The most popular tail is clipped crescent tail and it is also considered as an all-rounder tail.

Thickness 

At present bodyboards having 51 mm of thickness are available in the market. This is the thinnest board. Boards are becoming thinner to provide more maneuverability. But thicker boards will provide you more speed than thinner boards.

Bodyboarder level

Well from the above discussion you have also got an idea about different types of bodyboards. You can also simply classify the boards depending on the experience level, beginners, and advanced.

Beginner

For a beginner, I suggest using a board made of using EPS core, which will be lighter and thus easier to carry. Always consider the height and the weight before choosing the size of board and keep in mind that it will provide enough floatation to the beginner.

Advanced

For Advanced bodyboarders, PE or PP core is the perfect material used in the board. And choose the bodyboard depending on the body type.

So I have discussed some facts that you should consider before selecting the size of the bodyboard and for more ease, there is a size chart, which will help you choose the right size of the bodyboard.

Bodyboard size chart