New at skimboarding and getting confused about how to choose the best skimboard for beginners? Indeed it’s a complicated fact. And it’s even worse when you consider sand skimming, wave riding, or flatland.
We’re always concerned about our visitors and recently we have made huge research on the best skimboards for beginners.
Considering product features, customer reviews, and consulting with pro riders we have finally selected 6 items. In this content are going to break down the products. So stay with us.
What is Skimboarding?
Skimboarding is most often we say skimming where a skimboard is used. Skimboarding is most familiar with surfboarding but is a little bit different.
Skimboard is comparatively smaller than skimboard and it has no fins. Normally skimboarding has a purpose for the usage which is to face a sudden incoming wave on the surface of the water with a continuous movement.
Usually, a skimboarder carries out wave riding on a different surface, and maximum time they use the quantity of motion of a moving body to face incoming wave breaks and then he comes back to the land along the edge of a sea which sometimes seems similar to surfboards.
Can you surf with a skimboard?
Skimboard seems to be similar to a surfboard but skimboard is normally smaller than the surfboard.
It is observed that a skimboard has not had much ability to stay afloat or rise to the top of the water which a surfboard can perform.
Normally skimboarding is perfect for meeting a thin layer of waves which is mostly crushed. So normally a person can not be able to surf with a skimboard.
Our Top Pick
Best for beginners: BINDY 41 Inch Australia Skimboard
The newbies will get a huge advantage because of the unique shape specifically designed for beginners. Plus, it is easy to control.
Best for All Level of Players: Slapfish USA Made Skimboards
The board is available in different sizes and all of them include plenty of space. The weight is lighter and overall the board is perfect for all types of skimboarders.
Best for long-lasting performance: Waveline Neon wooden skimboard
It is suitable for those who like to skim rides. This board will definitely give pleasure to a rider and it will last a long time even after regular use.
6 Best Skimboards for Beginners
In this segment, we are going to break out the products. So, let’s dig in.
1. BINDY 41 Inch Australia Skimboard – The Bruce
It is time for teenagers to say goodbye to the social world and welcome the real world. Bindy has always been trying to ensure a healthy and real-life experience for the youngsters.
Their recently introduced 41 inches Australia Skimboard is made for people to explore the fun of the ocean. This skimboard is made for shallow water and provides extreme control flexibility.
Key Features
- Suitable for Beginners: The Bruce is known for its proper suitability for beginners. It is designed in such a shape that offers ultimate flexibility to the newcomers.
- Comes with A Bag: This beautiful Skimboard comes with a bonus boarding bag. You can even place your towel in it as well.
- Effective Traction Pads: Most skim pads need wax on them for proper grip. However, this magnificent skimboard has a special EVA grip on top. Hence, no need for an additional traction board or wax.
- Premium Quality Materials: Bindy Australian Skimboard has been tested several times against different terrain conditions. It is durable and made with the most high-quality materials.
Pros & Cons
- Made with high-quality materials.
- Good to go with shallow water.
- Durable and sustaining.
- Suitable for beginners.
- Excellent EVA grip.
- Harsh use can delaminate the board.
2. BPS ‘Gator’ Skimboards
There was a time when Skimboards needed wax on them so surfers could tightly grasp them. Gone are the days now. Most of the Skimboards today are featured with a special EVA grip.
BPS Gator Skimboard is also a modern EVA featured Skimboard. It is a wood-made board and suitable for kids to teenagers and adults.
Key Features
- Nose Rocker: This Gator Skimboard is featured with a sharp nose rocker. It offers you better maneuverability and control over the board.
- Durable Plywood: It is made of durable plywood, which offers glossy and clear coating and protects the board from water damage.
- Colorful Design: This Gator Skimboard is available in different sizes and colors. There are six available colors and three sizes (30″, 35″, and 40″) for people of any age and size.
- EVA Grip Pad: As said earlier, this wooden Skimboard is featured with an EVA grip pad. No need to apply additional wax or traction pads.
- Excellent Customer Service: With Gator Skimboard, you will not just buy the product but you are also buying excellent customer service as well. Their top-notch customer service is always there to answer any query with patience and the right information.
Pros & Cons
- Available in three different sizes.
- Protects against water damage.
- Durable and Hardy.
- Better maneuverability and control.
- Colorful appearance.
- Not suitable for oversized people.
3. South Bay Board Co.
It’s time for the kids to rule! The new South Bay Board Co. is specially designed for kids and beginners.
Beginners often struggle with the decision to select an appropriate Skimboard for them. This south bay board co. will minimize their search result very shortly. It is light, thin, and very user-friendly to begin with.
Key Features
- Beginner’s Ideal Choice: It is a beginner’s friendly, custom-designed, and wax-free lightweight wooden structured Skimboard.
- Longer and Sharper: It is 41 inches in length and weighs less than many regular Skimboards. The exceptional design makes this Skimboard ideal for shallow water and little waves.
- User-Friendly Design: The nose rocker prevents nose-diving while the widened chest allows a comfortable and safe foot panel. The rounded tail offers more stability to surf.
- Durable Materials: The skimboard is made of durable epoxy-protected plywood, thick IXPE foam. All these features make the South Bay Board Co. Skimboard is extremely kid and beginner-friendly.
Pros & Cons
- Ideal for kids and beginners.
- Slick design and easier to handle.
- Longer boards for better control.
- Made with durable materials.
- Offers more stability.
- For smaller children only.
4. BPS ‘Shaka’ Skimboards
BPS ‘Shaka’ is one of the recent inventions by the BPS. It is known as the twin of BPS Gator. Because of functionality and features, it is almost the same as the gator but better.
The main difference can be mentioned between the EVA grip pads of these two models. Shaka features a dot patterned EVA grip while gator features the normal EVA layer.
Key Features:
- Nose Rocker: Shaka is featured with a nose rocker. It offers better maneuverability with more pivots.
- EVA Foam: As said earlier, BPS Shaka is featured with dot patterned and grip layered EVA foam. It offers incredible grip.
- Available in Different Sizes: It is available in three different sizes (30″, 35″ and 40″). Riders up to 80-150 lbs can easily ride on Shaka.
- Excellent Customer Service: BPS offers excellent customer service for all of its customers. You can exchange the product within 12 months of purchase. And for any kind of inquiry, they will always be available.
Pros & Cons
- Durable and Reliable.
- No need to wax or any traction pad.
- Better grip and maneuverability.
- Prevents nose-diving.
- Available in different sizes and colors.
- Harsh use can peel off the paint slowly.
5. Waveline Neon wooden skimboard
It is a skimboard made of wood flooring which is made of high-quality wood and is highly durable.
You can use this premium quality skimboard for a long time and it will bring joy and happiness to both new and experienced riders.
Plus, it has a high-quality color on top of the wood that is going to last for a long period. The skimboard is also lighter so people of any weight can carry it and enjoy smooth riding.
Key features
- High-Quality Wood: The board is selected and made with superfinishing wood. Moreover, wood is a stronger type that can be used for a long time.
- Suitable for any weight and ages: It is designed in such a way that people of any age can enjoy riding. Plus, people of any weight can easily ride it due to the easy balancing function.
- Useful for new riders: By using it, along with experienced people, new riders can easily learn to skim riding through this waveline skimboard.
- Long-Lasting Quality: You can use this waveline for a long time and it is easy to carry for its low weight.
- Standard Size: The size of the skimboard is at a standard level which can be easily carried by people of any height.
Pros & Cons
- Different sizes available like 30″, 36″, & 41″
- Availability in various and latest color skimboards.
- Made with high-quality wood.
- More than enough surface for the riders.
- Appropriate for riders of all types of ages and weights.
- Don’t use it without following the instructions.
6. Slapfish USA Made Skimboards
Here comes the final product of the list manufactured by Slapfish. The board comes with variations; 4 different sizes are available with a weight capacity from 140-200 lbs. So, this longboard is suitable for both kids and men.
There are also plenty of rooms available which support the beginners and specifically while performing tricks.
Key Features
- Durable: No question should arise about durability. The skimboard is integrated with an interlocking fiberglass mat. Besides, the tail and nose carbon fiber reinforcement will fuse to the core with gloss resin that creates a seal and ensures unmatched durability.
- Easy to glide: The skimboard is less than 5 lbs which lets you glide perfectly across the water.
- Polished Deck: The board comes with a polished deck with an ultra-glide bottom. Overall it looks fantastic and is also included with a foam pad.
- Advanced Tricks: The board is designed for playing advanced level tricks, performance, airs, wave riding, and others.
Pros & Cons
- Waterproof, lightweight, poly PVC foam core.
- Great weight limit.
- Different sizes and colors are available.
- Lightweight is yet highly durable.
- Doesn’t come with a carrying bag. You have to pay additional for the bag.
What to Consider Before Buying the Best Skimboard for Beginners?
Professionals can cope up with the variation in different skimboards. However, beginners need a proper guide to follow before purchasing their first Skimboard. Our mini-guide is here to help you.
Size
One of the primary facts a rider must keep in mind is the size of the board. Depending on your weight and height, your Skimboard should be brought into.
Plus-size people should go for larger boards and smaller people should choose smaller skimboards.
The same goes with the height also.
Note that larger boards are easier to control and focus on. They offer better speed and cross long distances.
Whereas, shorter boards are better for flexibility and good for trying different moves.
Material
There are three available materials used in skimboards. They are Wood, Carbon fiber, and Epoxy.
Wooden skimboards are cheaper and flat. But they are heavier and not fit for long-term use. For sturdy training, you should aim for epoxy or carbon fiber-made skimboards.
These boards are thinner, lighter, and cover more surface area. Carbon fiber boards especially offer excellent strength to weight ratio.
Construction
Every skimboard is made differently. There are some must-have features you should look into a skimboard to purchase.
Such as single wood stringers offer better control and strength over the board while a nice traction pad should be kept on the list also.
Newcomers must keep these factors in mind if they are about to buy a good skimboard for themselves.
Price
Wood skimboards usually range from $50 to $100 whereas epoxy and carbon fiber boards can cost you $150 and above.
However, as said earlier, wood skimboards are only for occasional use and shallow water. Regular use will gradually decay the boards.
It is always better to invest a little extra and prepare with a long-lasting board. A skimboard within a moderate budget will come in handy in your regular practice than cheaper boards.
Basic skimboarding tricks
What are the best skimboards for beginners?
Among hundreds of quality and wicked products, we have only selected 6 items and already reviewed them. Check the review for more details.
However, if you want more specific suggestions then we would recommend Slapfish USA Made Skimboards.
Further Reading
What size skimboard is best for beginners?
A light skimboard will be the best option for beginners. In this case, a 43-inch model can be suitable for beginners.
It can be used for small waves and he can practice through it and at the same time, it will give enough fun. The shorter length with enough width and the ability to float in the water can be suitable for beginners.
Check out the reviews of experts, there we have recommended the best size skimboard for beginners.
Final Verdict
So, now it’s your turn to make your choice. We have reviewed 6 beat skimboards for beginners along with a buyer’s guide and some common FAQs.
All the boards are different in features and come with different specialists. So, first, you have to understand your needs and then consider which one is going to be perfect for you.
If you’re also looking for the best egg surfboard, check out this content.