INFO | Choosing the Right Size Skimboard
When it comes to choosing the right size skimboard for you, a lot of factors come into play that can help determine the best fit. We’ve laid them out below so you have no issues the next time you’re ready to purchase a skimboard! Check them out below and when you’re ready, check out our full line of USA MADE SKIMBOARDS & RIP SOFT SKIMS!
FACTORS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN SIZING YOUR NEXT SKIMBOARD
THE “CHEST TEST” – One of the most important factors when sizing your new board is how it holds up to the “Chest Test”. This is when you stand with the board in front of you and for intermediate to experienced level of wave riding, you want the nose of the board to reach anywhere from your chest to just under your chin. This guarantees enough volume and float to ride waves and ensures the board is not too small. For more beginner riders, you can choose smaller sized boards for sand-sliding
SKILL LEVEL – This is a big one to remember that we feel gets often overlooked because riders just starting out feel like they need the most expensive board on the market to skim. This is simply not the case. Beginners will have a better experience if they start with a board that is more engineered for sand-sliding and less for wave-riding. While intermediate/experienced riders can focus more on the volume and thickness of boards that ensure they’ll have enough float for wave-riding. Also, beginners can ride boards that are smaller than the suggested sizes to sand-slide. However, it is not recommended to ride a board that is below the middle of your stomach from the “Chest Test”.
RIDER’S WEIGHT – Riders that are a little heavier should aim for the size board that is more towards the high end of suggested weight ranges to be sure that the board can accommodate them.
AGE – Riders that are young and growing fast should choose a board at the top end of the spectrum. This allows for room to grow into the board and helps the rider progress.
LOCAL CONDITIONS – This is an advanced point to consider, however an important one. Depending on the conditions where you’ll mainly be skimming, you can choose a board more engineered for those conditions. Example, typically professional riders prefer smaller boards in large, right-on-the-beach conditions such as California’s Aliso Beach, or Cabo San Lucas in Mexico. Smaller, less powerful conditions commonly found in Florida and throughout the east coast of the United States require a slightly larger skimboard with a wider surface area. The additional board size helps keep the riders momentum since there is less push in smaller wave conditions. Simply put, BIG WAVES = SMALLER BOARD. SMALL WAVES = BIGGER BOARD.
We hope this helps you when choosing your next board! If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to us HERE!
