Cheaper boards also tend to be made of wood, making them the ideal material for most beginners. The extra weight of the wood gives you momentum, carrying you farther with each run. Wood: These boards are well suited to beginners and work best on the shore.

The materials in a skimboard determine its weight, durability, and handling on the shore and in the waves. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re looking for a skimboard for maneuvers, you need to consider the materials and size of each board to find one that suits your style. Skimboarding might be easier to learn than surfing, but that doesn’t mean you can’t pull off seriously impressive tricks. Other important factors when choosing a skimboard are the material and coating.Ĭhoosing the right skimboard means considering your skill level and the conditions. Some boards have a rocker – the curved nose of the board that helps it stay on top of the water when approaching waves. If you’re a veteran, most of your speed will come from your running start, and the waves do the rest of the work. The longer the board is, the faster it will be, so beginners might enjoy a longer board for those precious extra seconds of skimming and learning to control the board. A larger board offers more room for your feet and is better suited to beginners, while smaller boards offer more control for tricks.

Whether you are looking to skim across the sand on wide, flat beaches or pull ollies on curling waves, skimboarding can be excellent exercise.īoard shapes vary widely, but there’s no “right” shape. Skimboarding is a great sport that’s easy to get into but can take years to master.

East coast skim boards