Foam for Bodyboards
In summer, us Brits race to the seaside, and sales of water sports kit like bodyboards skyrocket. Bodyboarding, also known as boogieboarding, differs from surfing: you use a specialist board to ride the crest, face and curl of a wave to the shore. Unlike surfing, which can take years to master, bodyboarding is beginner-friendly for adults and children alike.
Beginner boards
There are a few things to consider before buying your first board, depending on experience and how often you'll use it. For children, most boards sold in coastal retail stores are polystyrene covered in a mesh fabric skin, usually decorated with patterns, and larger versions are available for adult beginners. These can be fragile due to their softer nature, which makes them suitable for amateurs. Compared with polystyrene, EVA foam boards can tackle larger waves and are a better solution.
Boards for advanced riders
For more advanced participants, boards are made from polyethylene and combined foams matched to skill level. Lightweight and durable, polyethylene is a popular choice: boards can be solid foam or have a smooth underside, and can be adjusted for advanced riders through changes in stiffness, while still offering some flex for those who prefer bend in their board.
Combination boards
Combination boards are the most popular for professionals, typically made from both EVA foam and polyethylene. Alongside the lower density and flex of polyethylene, EVA works well in low temperatures, adding toughness and stress resistance. That durability, plus strong waterproof adhesive properties and UV resistance, makes EVA-and-polyethylene boards a reliable choice year after year.
Replacing or customising a board
There may come a time to consider replacement materials for your board. You could pay retail price for a ready-made board from a dedicated supplier, or contact a specialist supplier such as eFoam with your exact requirements and take the foam to a specialist for finishing and outer covering. There's plenty to consider when refurbishing or custom-making a board, and specialist bodyboarding guides explain how to measure and account for the foams, materials and components. At eFoam we're experts in foam cut to size for a huge range of applications.
For help with the right foam for bodyboards, or any other water-based foam devices and buoyancy aids, please contact us. You may also like our guides to foam for kayaks and foam for poolsides.
Frequently asked questions
What foam are bodyboards made from?
It varies by level. Beginner and children's boards are often polystyrene with a mesh fabric skin; EVA foam boards handle larger waves; advanced boards use polyethylene; and professional boards are usually an EVA and polyethylene combination.
What is the best bodyboard foam for beginners?
Softer polystyrene boards are forgiving and suit amateurs, though they can be fragile. EVA foam is a better solution as it can tackle larger waves while still being beginner-friendly.
Can I get custom foam for a bodyboard?
Yes. You can contact a specialist supplier such as eFoam with your exact requirements for foam cut to size, then take the foam to a specialist for finishing and outer covering.
