The Skimboarding Guide: Wood Or Foam Skimboard
Just like the perfect mix of skateboarding and surfing, skimboarders glide over water and sand, carelessly catching waves and performing stunts on their trusted skimboards. The famous and thrilling sport of skimboarding is usually classified into two main categories:
Wave skimboarding
Flatland skimming
The type of skimboarding you choose ultimately decides the type of skimboard you will need. Learn more about skimboards in our complete beginner skimboarding guide.
Different Types Of Skimboards
The most used skimboards are either made of wood or foam; however, a few are made with fiberglass or carbon. Foam skimboards are a top choice for wave riders owing to their higher flotation, whereas inland skimmers prefer wood skimboards due to their high resistance.
Let's look at the characteristics and differences between wood skimboards and foam skim boards in detail.
Foam Skimboards
Foam skimboards are also lovingly called foamies by their avid devotees and are a top choice for fans of skimming waves. Foam skimboards have the following characteristics and specialties:
Foam skimboards are more expensive as compared to wooden skimboards.
They are specifically designed to catch and ride waves.
Foam boards are a blend of flexibility, lightweight, and thickness that makes them the ideal candidate for riding waves and tolerating heavy use.
Foamie skimboards are mostly used at different beaches.
Foamies are made with a resin coating or fiberglass, which makes them lightweight and easy to maneuver.
These boards have a pointed nose, and many are slightly curved at the tail.
In comparison to wooden boards, foamie skimboards are lighter and have a higher flotation level. Therefore wood boards are a preferred choice for flatland skimming.
Wood Skimboards
As previously stated, a wood skimboard is better suited for flatland skimming, where the water level is shallow. Let's look at what makes wood boards different from foamies.
Wood boards lack the high level of flotation and durability that foamies boast.
Wood skimboards are prone to breaking after continuous usage and cannot provide the same smooth flow that foamies do.
One advantage of wood boards over foamies is that they are a cheaper option for beginners to practice their skimboarding skills.
What type of skimboard you choose ultimately depends on your own preference, skimming experience and the conditions around your city or village. Foam boards are the best-suited option for professional skimmers. Wooden skimboards are best suited for beginners trying to master the perfect skimming technique or for professionals who go for flatland skimming.
Difference between Wood And Fiberglass Skimboards
Fiberglass skimboards tend to deal well with usage as compared to wood skimboards. Wood skimboards, on the other hand, cost much less and are heavier and leaner. Let us look at their specific difference:
Wood skimboards: Stiff, heavier, leaner, and sink quickly. They are used for flatland skimming.
Foam skimboards: Lighter, flexible, durable, and more expensive. They are best suited for wave skimming.
How To Choose The Best Skimboards?
When it comes to choosing between a wood skimboard and a foam skimboard, it all comes down to your experience, preference, and type of skimming that you want to do. We have completed a skimboarding beginner guide on how to choose the right skimboard. No matter what skimboard you choose, both will provide you with a thrilling skimming experience.