Bodyboard Size Guide - Choosing the Right Bodyboard Size with Pro Bodyboarder Jay Reale
Are you new to bodyboarding and unsure about what size board to ride? Or have you been bodyboarding for a while and still aren’t sure if your current board is the right fit for you? If so, you’re in luck! Join pro bodyboarding legend Jay Reale as he teams up with the Bodyboard Holidays crew to guide us through choosing the perfect board size tailored just for you.
Jay and his wife Vicki Reale are the founders of eBodyboarding, the world’s biggest bodyboarding store that has been serving the global bodyboarding community since 1999. As the longest-running online bodyboarding shop in the world, eBodyboarding has sold thousands of boards to customers worldwide, giving them unrivalled expertise in matching bodyboards to riders. The store is based in San Clemente, California. As well as selling the best lines of bodyboards in the world, Jay and Vicki have developed their own line of bodyboards to service riders of all sizes, body shapes, budget and bodyboarding locations. The brand is named Tribe Bodyboards and covers tiny boards all the way through to the biggest boards that we’ve ever created.
In our latest video, filmed on location during one of our Costa Rica Bodyboard Escapes, Jay talks about important factors such as height, weight, surfing location, and budget—key elements that should influence your bodyboard choice. Let’s break down how these factors determine the ideal board for you.
Bodyboard Size Guide Summary
- The taller you are, the longer board you need.
- The heavier you are, the more volume your board should have.
- Warm waters need stiffer bodyboards, colder waters, more flexible.
- More expensive boards have more high tech features for more advanced riders.
- Bodyboard should be roughly the same length as the distance between your chin and knees.
Read on below to understand these points in more detail, and check out our bodyboard size chart at the end to help you dial in your perfect size bodyboard.
Height:
Your height plays a crucial role in determining the length of the bodyboard you should use. Taller riders typically benefit from longer boards, providing better buoyancy and stability in the water. Shorter riders may prefer shorter boards for enhanced manoeuvrability. In this video, Jay Reale explains how to measure a bodyboard against your body to help determine what length board you should choose when buying a new bodyboard.
Weight:
Your weight affects the buoyancy and flotation of the bodyboard. Heavier riders require boards with greater buoyancy to support their weight effectively and prevent sinking too deep into the water. Lighter riders can opt for boards with slightly less buoyancy for increased manoeuvrability.
Surfing Location:
Consider the type of waves and conditions at your surfing spot. Warmer waters may benefit from slightly stiffer boards (Polypro Core) to maintain shape and responsiveness, while colder waters may require more flexible boards (Polyethylene Core) for improved control.
Budget:
Your budget determines the quality and features of the bodyboard you can afford. Higher-end boards often come with advanced materials, enhanced features, and superior craftsmanship, offering better performance and durability. However, there are also budget-friendly options available that provide decent performance when first starting out.
By considering these factors—height, weight, surfing location, and budget—you can make a more informed decision when choosing a bodyboard that suits your individual needs and preferences. It’s essential to strike the right balance between these factors to optimise your bodyboarding experience and maximise your enjoyment in the water.
And if you’re in need of new bodyboarding equipment to complement your newfound expertise, look no further than eBodyboarding.com. Explore their extensive selection of boards and gear to suit every level of rider.
Bodyboard Size Guide Chart
| Height (cm) |
Weight (kg) |
Height (ft.in.) |
Weight (st.lb.) |
Board Size (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Under 140 cm |
Max 38 kg |
Under 4'7" |
Max 6 st |
33" |
|
140 - 157 cm |
Max 47 kg |
4’7" - 5'2" |
Max 7 st 7lb |
36" |
|
157 - 163 cm |
Max 54 kg |
5'2" - 5'4" |
Max 9 st |
38" |
|
163 - 165 cm |
Max 63 kg |
5'4" - 5'5" |
Max 10 st |
39" |
|
166 - 170 cm |
Max 68 kg |
5'6" - 5'7" |
Max 11 st |
40" |
|
170 - 173 cm |
Max 73 kg |
5'7" - 5'8" |
Max 11 st 7lb |
40.5" |
|
173 - 175 cm |
Max 75 kg |
5'8" - 5'9" |
Max 12 st |
41" |
|
175 - 180 cm |
Max 80 kg |
5'9" - 5'10" |
Max 13 st 7lb |
41.5" |
|
179 - 183 cm |
Max 88 kg |
5'10" - 6'1" |
Max 14 st |
42" |
|
183 - 188 cm |
Max 95 kg |
6' - 6'2" |
Max 15 st |
42.5" |
|
183 - 193 cm |
Max 102 kg |
6' - 6'4" |
Max 16 st |
43" |
|
188 - 196 cm |
Max 108 kg |
6'2" - 6'5" |
Max 17 st |
44" |
|
190 - 199 cm |
Max 120 kg |
6'3" 6'6" |
Max 19 st |
45" |
|
Over 199 cm |
Over 120 kg |
Over 6'5" |
Over 18 st |
46" |
