Bodyboarding is a fairly popular sport with connections to surfing. Getting into bodyboarding can be a bit of a challenge, especially as a newcomer to the aquatic activity, and one of the most specific challenges is finding out how to get the right equipment for it. So, can a bodyboard be too big?
A bodyboard can be too big or too small. There are sizing guides that measure according to height and weight. If these haven’t been accurately measured, someone might end up using a bodyboard that is uncomfortable for them to use. Sizing bodyboards correctly enables people to enjoy bodyboarding.
There are a few different things that will affect the sizing of a bodyboard and ensure that it won’t be too big. We will discuss those factors so you can get a bodyboard that is the perfect size for you.
Finding the Correct Size for a Bodyboard
Getting a brand new bodyboard can be extremely confusing and even a little bit scary. You’ll be spending quite a bit of money on it, and getting it wrong could be frustrating. Understanding what you’re doing will help you feel more comfortable when using a bodyboard.
Your height and weight affect the bodyboard size that you will need. Depending on where you go to get a bodyboard, the employees in the store will most likely have some recommendations and techniques that you can use to figure out the best board size for you. They may measure you, but you may want to do that yourself while at home.
However, you don’t have to use your height and weight to determine what bodyboard size you need.
There is an easier method that doesn’t require measuring or weighing you.
All you need to do is tuck the bodyboard underneath your chin and have a friend or the shop employee look to ensure that the tail end of the bodyboard goes down slightly past your knee.
If this is the case, you will be set and you’ll most likely be comfortable with the size of the board. Make sure it isn’t too long though, seeing as it will be less comfortable to ride on if it is too big.
A bodyboard is too big when it is longer than your mid-shin or wider than you need it to be. If your bodyboard is too wide or too long, navigating the water will be a potentially dangerous endeavor since your body and the board will not be working in tandem.
Although it is easier to measure the bodyboard with your chin, measuring your height and weight will better ensure that your bodyboard is the right size for you. (Source)
Sizing Guide According to Height and Weight
This sizing guide is more accurate in the long term with a few allowances here and there. Typically, going off of your height and weight will get you the type of board that you will be most comfortable in the water with. That is the most important thing in any water sport, and taking the extra time to calculate this will be time well spent and potentially help make the purchase worth the money.
| Weight | Height | Bodyboarding Size |
| 50 – 60 lbs | 2 ft – 4 ft | 30 -34 inches |
| 60 – 80 lbs | 4 ft – 5 ft | 35 – 38 inches |
| 80 – 115 lbs | 5 ft – 6 ft | 39 – 40 inches |
| 115 – 180 lbs | 5ft – 6 ft | 40 – 42 inches |
| 170 – 260 lbs | 6 ft and up | 43 – 45 inches |
| 200 lbs + | 6 ft and up | 46 inches |
After you’ve gone through the size guide and tried holding the bodyboards you feel are closest to your height and weight estimate, you should be good to go. The unfortunate part about any sort of sizing guide is that it is not always exact.
Not everyone will fit the sizing guide, but it can give an approximation of what bodyboard sizes you should be looking at. Depending on how they feel and how long they are in relation to your body, you’ll be able to make a more informed decision on which bodyboard to buy. (Source)
Much more information about what to consider, like construction, shape or core material, can be found in our detailed guides.
Potential Modifications to Sizing Guide
Any modifications to the sizing chart would be based on whether or not you feel more comfortable with one size board than another. It is recommended that you don’t rely on how the bodyboard feels in your hands, especially if you are new to bodyboarding. A more accurate representation of the way the bodyboard will work for you will happen when you are in the water.
It also isn’t recommended to rely on the chin-to-knee sizing method, which we previously referred to as the board to chin method. This can be faulty in numerous ways and while a board might not feel snug in your hands, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not the right fit for you.
The other thing to note is that trusting what the store owner and employees say will help you in the long run. They’ve most likely been selling bodyboards and other types of water-based equipment for a while now or are learning about it from a seasoned professional. They will be able to get you started off on the right foot so you can have fun while bodyboarding.
Different Types of Bodyboards (and If They Affect Sizing)
Bodyboards come in a multitude of different sizes and different materials. When choosing what kind of bodyboard you get, the pricing will reflect what kind of materials were used to construct the bodyboard and how heavy the bodyboard is. If you are looking for something more serious and sportsman-like, you will want to get a bodyboard that is extremely durable, like e.g. the Morey Mach7 or the Morey Mach10. A cheaper option, which still provides good quality, could be the Thurso Surf Quill.
This might affect size, as some more durable bodyboards have materials that are heavier, and when combined with your own weight it’ll either make the size go up or down depending on the recommendations of a professional. Bodyboards made out of wood will be of greater quality than a synthetic material, but a wooden bodyboard is heavier than synthetic ones. (Source)
Tell employees of the shop where you are buying your bodyboard what your bodyboard goals are. They will help you find the right board for you and take your budget into consideration.
More helpful information about Bodyboards
If you just start out with Bodyboarding, it might well be that you have much more questions. Here on coolwatersports.com we try to give you as much helpful information as possible. So stay on and check out these helpful articles.
