Bodyboard Size, Fit, and Ride Guide to Give You the Best Results on the Water

 You are about to buy your first bodyboard and you see multiple varieties of bodyboard sizes and shapes. You are probably thinking, “Which bodyboard size is right for me? What even is the difference between a boogie board and bodyboard?”

NEW: Use our bodyboard size calculator by clicking here. It will automatically determine the perfect bodyboard size for you!

To clear up some of the confusion, bodyboards and boogie boards are actually the same thing!

So if you go into a store and see two different labels for a board, don’t feel like one is more special than the other.

Typically, however, boards identified as bodyboards are higher quality and more expensive than “boogie boards” (more information on the history of these two terms can be found here).

Now that that is out of the way, let’s get into sizing up the boards that will fit you and handle the waves you’ll be shredding!

THE CHART

Let’s start with your height.

There is a lot of debate as to what height correlates to what bodyboard size.

Weight is often factored into the equation as well.

We found this table to be most helpful to get a general idea of what size board matches your build: 

MODIFIERS

These lengths will be applicable to most bodyboarders.

If you consider yourself to have a heavier build, we recommend going up at least 1-2 inches.

Likewise, if you have a lighter build, we recommend going down 1 to 2 inches lower than what is suggested from the chart above.

THE EASY WAY

If you are too lazy to measure and weigh yourself, don’t worry. We have a shortcut for you to use!

Simply take the bodyboard and place the top up to your chin.

The proper fitting bodyboard should be long enough so that the tail ends at knee level. The picture below demonstrates this measurement:

Great! You now know the proper size of board for you.

But wait! You still need to consider what type of conditions you will be riding in.

THE BOARD TYPE

If you are riding on beaches that have smaller, less aggressive waves, you should be getting a thicker, longer board that floats better.

This will get you the most out of the small waves and make you feel as if you were being pushed by the force of a bigger one!

For bigger, more aggressive waves, you may want to consider sizing down and getting a thinner board.

These types of waves are harder to maneuver, so you will want to get as much control out of your board as possible.

Smaller and thinner boards will give you the control desired, however you will not be able to stay up float as easily.

We recommend starting off with a larger bodyboard so that you can get comfortable riding waves before trying to tackle the bigger ones!

A FEW CAVEATS

You now have all of the basic information to go out, choose a bodyboard right for you, and ride the waves!

However, there is still a lot of misinformation out there we thought we should warn you about:

1. Any lazy way of bodyboard measurement is not recommended. Even though we wrote a way of lazy measurement, this has been more accurate than the ground to belly button method. Everybody is different in proportion leaving any measurement based on some parts will lead to inaccuracies. If it is your first time buying a bodyboard, we highly recommend sticking to the table.
2. Don’t fixate on how the bodyboard feels in your arms.As stated above, your body can be of all different shapes and proportions, and it may not feel like a snug fit in your arms. If you stick with the size chart, however, you should not worry if you are feeling some discomfort. All that matters is how you will ride in the water!
3. Trust, but verify the information you hear from store owners. Make sure they bodyboard themselves and do your research before buying one, whether that's online or in person. Having a board that fits makes all the difference. Don’t let someone take a quick sale from you without fact checking! As riders, we're incredibly passionate about every bodyboard, the material and build behind it, so the store owner should be too!

Before we let you go catch some waves with your new bodyboard, always keep in mind how those first few rides went.

Were you comfortable? Did it ride to your expectations?

If you feel like the size you got wasn’t right for you, try out another board before you make a final decision.

You can do this by renting gear a few times to try before you buy. Some of the better built bodyboards can last you quite a long time, so you really want to make that purchase count!

ⓘ Just got your board? Check out the following guides:

→ How to Install a Leash/Leash Plug on a New Bodyboard

ⓘ New to bodyboarding? These boards are great for beginners:

→ Morey Cruiser (most affordable)

→ Morey Big Kahuna (best for larger riders - 6'2"+ or >185lbs.)

→ Morey Mach 7 (best overall)