Bodyboards

Our selection of bodyboards is one of the largest in Germany. We cater to the diverse needs of this sport, giving you the chance to find the perfect boogie board. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced bodyboarder, our range offers a wide selection for every bodyboard level. Bodyboarding is only fun with the right equipment. Here, you'll find a fantastic selection of bodyboards tailored to your personal tastes and individual requirements. Discover your new, robust, and durable bodyboarding tool and find your new companion through every wave.

Differences in Bodyboard Tail Shapes:

The main difference lies in the shape of the bodyboard tail, the end of the board. There are two main types: Crescent Tail and Bat Tail.

• Crescent Tail: Shaped like a flat crescent moon, offering the board less flexibility while riding compared to the Bat Tail. This makes for a smoother ride and is particularly suitable for beginners or steep waves, as the bodyboard responds less to weight shifts, making it more forgiving of mistakes.

• Bat Tail: Shaped like a bat's wing, giving the board greater flexibility and maneuverability. This is particularly advantageous for tricks and more advanced maneuvers. To enhance the performance of Bat Tail boards, channels (indentations) have been added to the underside to improve stability.

Guideline for Choosing the Right Bodyboard Size:

The required board size is approximately your body height from the floor to your hips, plus or minus 5 cm. Here’s a guide:

• 38 Inch: For heights 130-150 cm and weights 35-45 kg
• 39 Inch: For heights 150-160 cm and weights 45-55 kg
• 40 Inch: For heights 160-170 cm and weights 50-60 kg
• 41 Inch: For heights 170-180 cm and weights 55-70 kg
• 42 Inch: For heights 180-190 cm and weights 65-80 kg
• 43 Inch: For heights 185-195 cm and weights 70-85 kg
• 44 Inch: For heights 190-200 cm and weights 75-90 kg
• 45 Inch: For heights 195-205 cm and weights 85-100 kg

Bodyboarding – A Sport for Youth and Adults:

Looking for an adrenaline-pumping activity for your next beach vacation? Bodyboarding is a popular fun sport for kids and teens over 12 years old, but adults can also enjoy the thrill of the waves. We offer a wide range of lightweight bodyboards that you can use even with wave heights of about half a meter – perfect for smaller waves on the North and Baltic Seas! This sport is also a great complement to classic surfing on days with fewer waves. Catch the waves today! With the right bodyboard, it’s easier to learn than you might think!

How It Works:

In bodyboarding, you harness the power of the waves for propulsion. Beginners wait near the shore for a whitewater wave (a wave that has already broken), while advanced riders seek out the breaking waves in the surf zone. Place the bodyboard under your upper body, hold onto it, and match your speed to the wave's speed with strong kicks. With the right paddling speed and positioning, the wave will catch the bodyboard and carry you along the crest, possibly even to the shore. The bodyboard helps overcome the poor streamlining of the human body and increases buoyancy. This means that using a bodyboard increases the likelihood that the wave will carry you along.

Do I Need a Leash and Fins?

A leash, connecting the bodyboard to your wrist, is very useful to prevent losing the board. Most bodyboards now come with a leash included. Bodyboard fins are not essential but can be very helpful when paddling. They increase your wave-catching potential and make it easier to get back out to sea after a ride.

Requirements for Bodyboarding:

Waves can be dangerous, and their power can be underestimated. You should be a good swimmer and realistically assess your abilities. Always avoid potentially dangerous situations and never bodyboard alone; always have someone on the shore to keep an eye on you and call for help if needed. It’s safest to surf at patrolled beaches and always check for specific dangers or hazards with local experts (lifeguards, beach patrols, etc.) before your session. Be sure to use appropriate waterproof sunscreen to prevent burns, especially on your nose, neck, and the backs of your knees. Avoid alcohol and drugs while in the water. This list is not exhaustive and only covers basic requirements.

What is a Boogie Board?

The term “boogie board” is used synonymously with bodyboard. Some German-speaking surfers also use the anglicized terms “wave board” or “swimming board,” although it is not a flotation device but a sports tool designed to improve streamlining and buoyancy.

What Size Should the Bodyboard Be?

As a rule of thumb, the board should reach from the floor to your hips or belly button. Heavier surfers should add 5-10 cm to this length, while experienced bodyboarders might subtract 5-10 cm. If the bodyboard is too short, it won’t provide enough buoyancy to catch a wave. If it’s too long, it will be sluggish and might not catch the wave properly. Sizes are often given in inches (36", 38", 39", 40", 41", 42", 43", 44", 45").

Different Construction Types and Cores:

• EPS (Expanded Polystyrene): The most affordable core, suitable for teens and light beginners in whitewater and small waves.
• PE (Polyethylene): Ideal for advanced and professional bodyboarding in European waters, offering great durability and rigidity in water temperatures below about 20°C.
• PP (Polypropylene): The most robust core but suitable only for warmer waters.

Recommendations and Advice:

The information on this page provides an initial guide. For further advice and questions, please contact the team at Surfshop Windstärke 7.

Bodyboarding vs. Surfing:

Bodyboarding and surfing are closely related, with smooth transitions between the two. A bodyboard is a shortened version of a surfboard. On a bodyboard, waves are usually ridden lying down or kneeling, while regular surfboards are ridden standing up. The volume of the bodyboard enhances natural buoyancy, helping you to be carried along the wave crest. Bodyboards (also called boogie boards) are popular among adults as fun sport devices. Inflatable bodyboards like the Bugz Bodyboard Surfster 42 cm are also available, offering easier transport than traditional PVC or PU bodyboards.

Do I Need a Bodyboard Bag or Cover?

Overheating, UV rays, and friction can reduce the lifespan of your bodyboard. If you’ve invested in a quality board and don’t want to replace it soon, it’s wise to protect it. A silver foil boardbag reflects heat and UV rays. Alternatively, you can use a padded bag for shock absorption. Light colors are preferable as they don’t absorb as much heat, even though they may get dirty faster. You can find suitable bodyboard bags in our Bodyboard Accessories category.

First Steps – Tips for Beginners:

1. Start with light warm-up exercises for your shoulders, arms, and legs to prevent cramps.
2. Attach your leash to your upper arm.
3. Enter the water to a depth where it reaches your hips and position yourself sideways to keep an eye on both the waves and the shore.
4. Align the bodyboard so that the nose (front edge) is facing the shore.
5. When you see a suitable wave, lie on the bodyboard with the end at your lower belly/hips and your face slightly over the front edge.
6. Hold the nose with one hand and paddle with the other hand. Strong kicks with your legs will aid your propulsion.
7. Once you’ve matched your speed to the wave, the wave will catch the bodyboard and carry you along the crest. Adjust your upper body and grip the bodyboard with one hand holding the nose and the other gripping the side.

Voilà – you’ve completed your first steps successfully!