Beginner Bodyboard Sizing: Find The Perfect Fit For Fun!

If you’re just starting to get into the world of bodybuilding, you probably have a few questions. One of the most common questions among newbies is, How do you know what size bodyboard to get?

You should get a bodyboard that’s fit for your height and weight. For instance, if you weigh less than 65 pounds and have a height of fewer than 4 feet, you should opt for a bodyboard with a length of about 32 to 35 inches. Similarly, if you are a little heavier about 170-210 pounds, and have a height of about 6 feet, then a 43″ board will be perfect for you.

So, this is how you find the perfect bodyboard size for yourself. You take your height and weight into account and match them against a bodyboard sizing chart.

But what if you can’t find your height and weight in the chart? Or you don’t want to go through the hassle of weighing yourself and measuring your height?

Don’t worry, I’ll tell you exactly what to do about that as well.

How Do You Know What Size Bodyboard to Get?

You figure out your bodyboard size relating to your weight and height. Your bodyboard should be able to give you proper support for your build.

• Too short and you might have a hard time catching waves.
• Too long, and you might have trouble with balance and control, especially with powerful waves.

So, it’s important to get a perfect size.

If you are completely new to the world of bodyboarding, then you should start by matching your weight and height with this chart.

Find exactly where you fall, and that size should be a good starting place. If you can’t find your exact build, then you can add up to 2 or 3 inches for heavier body types.

Similarly, for lighter builds, go down a few inches.

The Hassle-Free Method of Finding Your Bodyboard Size

All these charts and numbers might feel intimidating to you. You might not want to go through all this trouble just to have a fun time bodyboarding.

Or maybe you are not quite sure of your height and weight. Either way, don’t worry, there’s a much easier method to finding your perfect size.

When you go to the store, place the bodyboard upright against your body and place the top up to your chin.

A good fit would make the bodyboard long enough to reach your knee levels. The tail should end somewhere near your knees.

Upgrading Your Bodyboard Size

While the chart is a great place to start, a lot of more experienced bodyboarders will tell you they don’t use this chart. This is because comfort and size are very subjective. It varies from individual to individual.

Body builds are way more complicated than a simple measure of height and weight. There are plenty of other things that can affect which size your body will need.

Even if you fall perfectly within the range of the chart, you might find that the size of the board isn’t optimum. The board size needs to fit your body build and preferences.

Once you have gotten some experience and have been trying out a few boards, you will find what types of sizes work best for you. This is why I recommend trying out different sizes yourself.

No need to follow this chart strictly. It is just supposed to be a guideline to help you get started on where to look.

Once you have tried a few boards, you will know exactly what to look for. You can even get a custom bodyboard made as well.

Other Factors Affecting the Size of Your Bodyboard

Even apart from your height, weight, and build, other factors that affect which size of the bodyboard will fit you. Let’s take a look at some of these factors.

Size Of The Waves

Sometimes, even a board that fits perfectly with your body might not perform its best because of the kind of waves you are riding.

If you usually experience smaller waves where you go bodyboarding, then you should probably opt for a board that is a few inches bigger than your size.

This gives you much better stability and a more pleasant experience.

Similarly, if your beach has very powerful waves and you get to experience big ones, you should take a smaller board with you.

This will help you be agile with your riding and have more control of your board.

Rail Ratio

Bodyboards also have something called a rail ratio that you will find in the descriptions of your bodyboard.

If your bodyboard has a rail ratio of 50/50 it should work better with small waves. On the other hand, for more powerful waves a 60/40 ratio is better.

Your Style

Which size works best for you might also be affected by how you ride your bodyboard. You have probably seen people ride the bodyboard on their stomachs.

This is called the prone style. If you are a fan of this style, then your bodyboard should be slightly wider, especially the nose.

The other style is when someone puts a foot on the front of the board and has their knee at the tail. This is known as the drop knee style.

For this style, it is best to go with a board that has a narrow nose. Since most of your weight will be at the tail of the board, a bigger size works best with this style.

Your Preferred Experience  

You can even alter your bodyboard experience by altering the size. If you love speed, for instance, then getting smaller boards is the way to go.

On the other hand, if control is more important to you than speed, consider getting a slightly taller board.

If your concern is buoyancy, then thicker bodyboards will float more than other types. You should also aim for slightly wider ones.

So, wave style, how you ride your board, and even your preferences and what you want from bodyboarding can affect what size you will need.

This is why instead of wondering “what size bodyboard do I need” you should spend more time with bodyboarding and experimenting.

You might end up having multiple boards to use with different types and sizes for different waves.

Conclusion

So, how do you know what size bodyboard to get? Whether you are a beginner or a pro, the chart I provided shall aid you to narrow down your choices.

The best way to figure out what size works for you is to try different boards out and see which one you like.

I hope this helped clear your confusion on bodyboard sizes.