Bodysurfing is always a funny water sport that can be indispensable in the summer. To enjoy the best bodysurfing experience, you need to have bodyboarding gear.
Among various types of bodysurfing accessories, handboards are considered ideal for both beginning and experienced surfers.
To help you choose an appropriate surfing support device, I’d like to introduce the 7 best bodysurfing handboards. Let’s find out now!
Table of Contents
What Is a Handboard for Bodysurfing?
When it comes to bodysurfing, there are many different supporting accessories such as bodysurfing fins, bodyboarding goggles, bodyboard fins, water socks, etc. Handboard is also one of the indispensable gears for the best surfing experience.
Bodysurfing handboards, or handplane, is a kind of surfboard, but it is smaller. It usually comes with a hand trap, which helps you ride waves effortlessly. It also provides you with more glide and speed while you’re doing bodysurfing.
My Top Picks
In case you’re in a short time, you can check this top product list. Otherwise, scroll down for more detailed reviews of the 7 best bodysurfing handboards.
So let’s take a look at this list.
- Best Overall: Slyde Wedge
“Exceptionally durable materials; long-lasting; ideal for any skill levels and ages; comes with an attachment point for camera.” - Best Budget: Hydro Body Surfer Pro
“Affordable price; durable materials; strong and adjustable hand straps; perfectly fit; velcro strap design for perfectly fit.” - Best for Beginners: Salt Creek Classic
“Great for novice bodysurfers; durable materials; long lifespan; features a wrist leash for more stability; easy to use.” - Best for Speed: GoFloats
“Ideal for speed up your bodysurfing sessions; lightweight; corrosion resistance; adjustable hand straps for snugly fit.” - Best for Training: Slyde Hawaiian Bula
“Perfect for bodysurfing training; exceptionally buoyant; comes with a point to attach camera; a wrist leash not included.” - Best Lightweight: Slyde Grom Soft top
“Incredibly lightweight; portable; suitable for any skill levels; soft and durable materials; safe for anyone.” - Most Durable: THURSO SURF Slash
“Exceptionally durable; high-quality materials; a wrist leash included; extremely buoyant; easy to use.”
Comparison Table
In this table, I’ve tried to specify the core material, weight, and color of each item as detailed as possible. Hope this comparison table helps you have a closer overview of the 7 best bodysurfing handboards.
The 7 Best Bodysurfing Handboards Reviews
It’s time for the most interesting part. Are you ready to discover the best bodysurfing handboards available on the market? Let’s check it out together.
Related Reviews:
1. Slyde Wedge
(Best Overall – Editor’s Choice)
Slyde has claimed its name in the bodysurfing industry for its high-quality products. The Slyde Wedge Body Surfing Handboard is not an exception. This bodyboarding handboard is considered to be the best overall one on the market.
Its core material is made from exceptionally durable high-density polyurethane. This material is not only sturdy but also extremely lightweight. It also provides you with maximum buoyancy. You can expect your handboards to last for a long time.
Another great thing about this handboard is its widely used feature. It is made for anyone, from youths to adults, novices to experts. What’s more, its hand straps are adjustable, which can fit any hand sizes.
More incredible, this Slyde Wedge Handboard comes with a GoPro mount, which allows you to capture your bodysurfing moments.
Pros
- Incredibly durable
- Top-grade materials
- Long lifespan
- Ideal for any skill levels and ages
- Adjustable straps
- Easy to use
- Camera mount included
Cons
- It may not perform well in small waves
2. Salt Creek Classic
(Best for Beginners)
If you’re a beginner bodysurfer and looking for a suitable handboard to start your bodysurfing, you shouldn’t miss this Salt Creek Classic Handboard.
As its name implies, this handboard comes with a classic shape, which provides more space for beginner surfers to plane on. It is also lightweight so that you can easily take it and control it in the water, no matter how big the waves are.
Moreover, this Salt Creek Classic is made from rubber, which is exceptionally durable. This type of material is considered to resist harmful salt water and UV light. Therefore, you can expect a longer lifespan of this handboard.
For beginner surfers, I’d like to recommend you to apply surf wax on your handboard. It will provide you supporting balance so that you will easily ride the waves.
Pros
- Perfect for beginner bodysurfers
- Lightweight
- Easy to use
- Wrist leash included
- Durable material
- Long-lasting
Cons
- It seems to works well in small waves rather than big ones
3. GoFloats
(Best for Speed)
This GoFloats Body Surfing Handplane/Handboard is particularly designed to make you surf faster and farther. This design is suitable for those who want to increase their bodysurfing speed and to conquer new surfing speed challenges.
Made from composite plastic, this handboard is supposed to prevent corrosion and waterproof. Moreover, it is extremely lightweight, which allows you to easily control the water flow and perform more stunning glides.
Not only comes with buoyant material, but this GoFloat also provides you with adjustable straps. This feature makes it snugly fit for any hands sizes. It also creates optimum comfort for easily handling waves.
Pros
- Great for speed
- Exceptional buoyant
- Lightweight
- Waterproof
- Corrosion resistance
- Adjustable and comfortable hand straps
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a point to attach a leash
4. Slyde Hawaiian Bula
(Best for Training)
If you are going to start your bodysurfing training, this Slyde Hawaiian Bula BodySurfing HandBoard will be a great option. Your surfing training will be better if it is used with your surfing wetsuit.
Its rails come with an incredibly sharp design, which allows you to cut through the wave effortlessly. Moreover, its concave shape provides you with additional grip. Hence, you can handle the handboard in any wave conditions with no troubles, including steep waves.
Another great feature of this Slyde Hawaiian Bula is its durable material, which ensures a long lifetime. Its high-density polyurethane offers lightness and sturdiness while still offering great buoyancy.
Pros
- Great for bodysurfing training
- Durable materials
- Incredibly buoyant
- Lightweight
- Sharp rails
- Camera mount insert included
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a hole for attaching a wrist leash
5. Slyde Grom Soft top
(Best Lightweight)
If you’re looking for a lightweight handboard for easy portability and handle, you should try this Slyde Grom Soft top Bodysurfing Handboard. It is considered to be one of the best lightweight and suitable to take with travel and backpacking trips.
It is made from durable materials, which ensures a long lifespan for your handboard even after lots of use. In the meanwhile, its outer layer is exceptionally soft, which is safe for anyone, even kids.
With this design, you can conquer any shorebreak and barrels without difficulty. This doesn’t mean it is made for only experienced bodysurfers. In contrast, beginners seem to be more suitable for this handboard.
Pros
- Exceptionally lightweight
- Durable materials
- Great for both novice and expert bodysurfers
- Portability
- Easy to use
- Safe for any ages
Cons
- Doesn’t feature a hole for attaching a leash
6. THURSO SURF Slash
(Most Durable)
This THURSO SURF Slash Handboard BodySurfing Hand Plane is made from top-grade polyethylene material, which provides not only durability but also flexibility. Moreover, this material is supposed to increase your bodysurfing’s speed.
Not only sturdy, but this handboard is also lightweight, which helps you easily take it to your surfing. What’s more, you can experience the best bodysurfing sessions with this handboard thanks to its incredible buoyancy.
Unlike some handboards on this list, this THURSO SURF Slash Handboard comes with a wrist leash. This feature allows you to hold the board more tightly.
Pros
- Incredibly durable
- Lightweight
- Buoyant
- Easy to use
- A wrist leash included
Cons
- It seems a little bit shorter when compared with other similar competitors
7. Hydro Body Surfer Pro
(Best Budget)
If you’re on a tight budget, you should give this Hydro Body Surfer Pro Handboard a try. Affordability doesn’t mean it can’t provide you with great bodysurfing experience.
This handboard is constructed with solid polypropylene, which is durable enough for a long time of use without damage or corrosion due to saltwater.
The velcro hand straps are made from sturdy material to help you deal with big waves. Moreover, this kind of velcro design allows you to adjust the handboard to snugly fit your hand size. This feature will create a certain comfort while bodysurfing.
Pros
- Reasonable price
- Durable polypropylene material
- Sturdy hand straps
- Snug fit
- Great velcro design
Cons
- It seems a little bit shorter than other competing models
How to Choose the Right Bodysurfing Handboards?
Now, check this buying guide to make smarter decisions. I believe this part will help you a lot.
Let’s crush this!
1. Size
The size of bodysurfing handboards is one of the most important factors to consider. It will decide whether your surfing is great or not. Whether it is too big or too small, it will ruin your surfing experience. It will cause too loose or too tight to your hands.
What’s more, these kinds of handboards don’t come with exactly the same size as the fins or shoes do. Therefore, to choose the best fit one, you should go to the local surfing stores to try on different sizes.
2. Material
When it comes to the material, comfort and durability are the two most crucial criteria to access whether the material is good or not. Besides, bodysurfing handboards should be made from lightweight material so that you can easily take them and wear them when surfing.
Different manufacturers provide different materials for handboards, ranging from polyester resin, polyurethane foam core, wood, polyethylene, etc. I’d like to recommend the polyurethane foam core thanks to its durability, strength, and lightweight, which makes it float straightforwardly.
3. Wave Type
The types of waves that you’re going to ride will affect the handboards’ style. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced surfer, you should also need to choose the handboards that are suitable for different wave types.
Normally, beginning surfers start riding with small waves. In this case, handboards with high buoyancy and slight drag will be the best option.
In the meanwhile, experts will need handboards with more control. These types of bodysurfing handboards will help you easily direct steep and tall waves.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Let’s make clear some frequently asked questions about bodysurfing handboards.
What Are Handboards Made Of?
This depends on the manufacturers. Some handboards are made from wood, while some are made from resins, polyethylene, or high-density polyurethane, etc. These materials ensure buoyancy, lightness, and durability.
How Long Will a Handboard Last?
There are various factors that decide how long a handboard will last, including objective and subjective factors.
The most important objective factor that affects the lifespan of a handboard is its material. Subjective factors depend on how you frequently use the handboard, how you store, and maintain it.
However, a good handboard is estimated to last from 2 to 10 years, depending on the factors that I have mentioned above.
Do You Need to Wax Your Handboard?
The answer is that it depends. If your handboard comes with a textured handgrip, it is not necessary to wax the handboard.
However, I’d like to recommend waxing your handboard before you start surfing to prevent scratch and corrosion. Waxing will keep your handboard last longer.
WindSurfingMag Overview
No matter which bodysurfing handboard you choose, just remember to choose the one that fits your hand size and is suitable for your skill levels.
For the best overall bodysurfing handboard, I’d recommend the Slyde Wedge. It is made from high-quality materials to ensure durability. Moreover, it comes with adjustable hand straps for the best snug fit.
In case you have a tight budget, the Hydro Body Surfer Pro will be the best option for you. Its velcro hand strap is made from sturdy material so that you can easily handle big waves.
If you want to start your bodysurfing, you shouldn’t miss the Salt Creek Classic. This handboard is designed with a large body, which gives you more space and stability to ride the waves.
Bodyboarding handboards give you lots of benefits. It will make your surfing experience more fun. Don’t forget to share this article. It may help your friends to find their suitable model, and you all can enjoy surfing together.
Hello Kevin. My name is Luis, and I am from Puerto Rico. I used to bodyboard when I was way younger. I keep in pretty good shape, but have lived in Houston Tx, for much of my life. I’m 54 and will be going to Maui for 10 days this coming July. I’m looking to bodysurf, since I think will be my best option of catching some waves, and have some fun. Based on all the reading I have done, it appears that the wedge from slyde is the way to go. If there is anything else I should know, I would greatly take any of your expert advice.
Hello Luis,
It’s great to hear from you. It’s even more exciting to hear you keep up a pretty good shape and stay interested in the sport.
Like you read from my article, the Slyde Wedge bodysurfing handboard is an incredible option. This is largely due to its shape/design, which can accommodate all skill levels and ages. You should be able to flow along with this option.
Some perks associated with the Slyde Wedge include its hard-quality construction and GoPro mount. However, there are other options – Slyde Hawaiian Bula and Hydro Body Surfer Pro.
You may consider the super-buoyant Slyde Hawaiian Bula as it is almost similar to the Slyde Wedge. You get the camera mount, the pointy rails, and even more grip.
I included the Hydro Body Surfer Pro here if you want a budget-friendly option. It is still a decent one in terms of construction and performance.
Do have a great time bodysurfing! Stay sharp!
Kevin.