How To Choose The Right Skimboard?
If you are a beginner to skimboarding, it can be a bit tricky to choose the right skimboard because of the variety of skimboards available in the market. Although the shapes of many skimboards are not much different, other features such as their sizes, material, and weights, etc. can vary. These factors influence the user's credibility, and the level of skill as most of the new skimboarders prefer a smooth ride. But for experts and professionals, making innovative moves is more important, so they use differently designed skimboards. Learn about the basics and read our skimboard beginner guide carefully to ensure you have the maximum fun with the perfect selection of your first skimboard.
Length and Width:
Skimboards come in different sizes. Their length ranges between 35 to 57 inches, while their width can be between 17.75 to 23 inches. You can follow a simple trick to choose the right size for you; place the skimboard horizontally on the floor, if its height reaches up to your chest, it's for you. A skimboard larger than that will not carve rapidly, while a smaller one may imbalance you.
Thickness:
Most skimboards have either 5/8 or 3/4 board thickness. When you decide to choose the right skimboard, keep your level of skill into consideration. For example, if you are a beginner, you can choose a thick skimboard as it will glide better on the surface of the water. However, a thick skimboard will not turn and carve well because of its excessive weight. As a beginner, you should be looking to improve your gliding skill so that a thick skimboard will be the right choice for you. After improving your gliding skill, you can change to a 5/8 skimboard to turn a wave more smoothly.
Weight:
The weight of the skimboard depends on its size and thickness. Skimboards come in different influences ranging between 75lbs to 275lbs. Light skimboards are suitable for flatland skimmers as they produce less resistance and move smoothly. Whereas to trim the line in the waves, use a heavy skimboard as it gives you more stability. You should also consider the wind speed in your region. Choose a heavier skimboard if you have strong wind because that will improve your drop of the board.
Material:
Skimboards used to ride on the waves are generally manufactured with closed-cell foam in the core. It is a highly dense foam that doesn't absorb water and stays on the surface. To cover the inner layer, fiberglass/resin is used, which forms a robust outer layer. These carbon fiber skimboards are high, and most professional skimboarders use them as they have higher floatation than wooden skimboards. Wooden skimboards are cheaper and are typically used to skim on the sand. However, fiberglass coated and carbon fiber skimboards are more durable and more effective, so we recommend you to choose one of them depending on how much you want to spend and your skimboarding skills.
Conclusion:
Skimboarding is fun, don't spoil the fun by choosing a wrong skimboard for you. Different brands design different skimboards, depending on their shapes, sizes, and material, etc. So, always keep your interest, level of skill, and the quality of content into consideration while selecting a skimboard. We have covered a lot in our skimboard beginner guide to choose the right skimboard, so follow all these guidelines while selecting your skimboard and enjoying boarding on the beach.