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Length- Your board, when standing on it's tail should come up to your belly button.

Width- You should be able to hold the bodyboard under your arm and against your side without much slack between your armpit and the rail.

Nose and tail width, and template- if you're a beginner, the tail design doesn't really matter much. but if you're more into the sport, bat tails are the choice of most prone-only riders, and crescents are the choice of most drop knee-only riders. If you are both, then consider what your ratio of prone to drop knee is, and go with the tail design that covers how you ride more (prone or drop knee). On templates, most prone riders like a bodyboard with the wide point closer to the nose, and most drop knee riders like it further back.

Rails- Most bodyboards have a 60/40 rail configuration that means that 60% of the rail is on the bottom side and 40% is on top, this is better for prone riding and makes tricks easier to pull off . Some bodyboards have a 50/50 rail which sticks better to the curl , it is also more stable ( good for Drop Knee riding) but less forgiving for the 360 and reverse tricks.

Bodyboard Construction and parts

Deck

The top of the bodyboard where you lay

Slick bottom

The bottom of the bodyboard that has a smooth or slick material such as Surlyn or HDPE.

Nose

The front of the bodyboard where you hold on

Rail

The side of the bodyboard. The rail of a bodyboard is expressed as a ratio such as 50/50 or 60/40, etc. The theory is that a 50/50 rail is faster and more stable but a 60/40 offers more control and makes some maneuvers easier to do. Most bodyboards use 60/40.

Tail

The back end of the bodyboard.

Channels

Gouged-out areas on the bottom that reduce contact with water and so increase speed , it is also acting as "small skegs" improving control

Stringer

It's a straight rod inserted into the bodyboard to maintain the stiffness of the board.

Mesh

A wire-like plastic material inserted into the core of a bodyboard to enhance projection and durability. This is only used by a couple manufacturers as an alternative to stringers (Example : Morey Mach 7 X which was an enhanced version of the original Mach 7-7 ; X means Mesh)

Template

This term refers to the overall shape

Rocker

the rocker refers to how flat a bodyboard is. Normally, the nose curve is going to keep the nose off the sea level, but the tail should be flat and the board shouldn't "rock" more than just a little bit. Too much rocker will decrease the speed.

Tails : 2 main types

Bat Tail

Looks like the wingspan of a bat. There are points at either end of the tail, with some form of rounded or pointed area in the center .Bat tails provide lots of maneuverability. Most prone riders preferred bat tails as it is very efficient for doing maneuvers in the critical part of the wave.

Cores, Foam Types and Bottom Skins

Crosslink- A type of foam characterized by it's denser, more compact feel, and unwillingness to absorb water. Very durable deck and rail foam material also named Green Cell or Dura Deck

Polypropylene- Polypro is light, springy, and strong. There are two types : Extruded polypro is made from strands of polypropylene and offers very good projection and durability.Beaded polypro is extremely lightweight, durable, water-resistant, but also very expensive.

Dow or Polyethylene- Used since the 70's, it's still the standard foam. It's compact ( there are different densities ), and has excellent projection and performance, but it does not last long , compared to polypro, unless combined with mesh or stringer, it is also a bit heavier than Polypro. It's used on the deck and rails of most bodyboards as well.

Surlyn- it is the material used in most bottoms of bodyboard ( golf balls are also using it ) ; it's slick and durable, has great speed and projection.

HDPE - High Density Polyethylene looks very similar to Surlyn, but it's not as flexible.

How to insert a leash plug

You can use anything that is strong and at least 4 inches (10cms) long , a screwdriver is best, heat it for a minute or two then start to perforate the board with the heated screwdriver, from the bottom through to the deck.

Most riders will put the leash about 8 inches (20cms) down from the nose of the board in the center, but some will put it about 6 inches (15cms) in from either side depending on whether they are regular or goofy foot.

Note : If your bodyboard has a stringer, do not install the leash in the center or you will hit the stringer, just install it about 1 inch (2.5 cms ) either side . With double stringer bodyboards, the stringers are usually placed halfway between the center and the rail.

Wax - Is it necessary to wax a bodyboard?

Surfers wax their boards to improve their grip , it is the same for bodyboarders.

Do not wax the entire deck of your bodyboard as you need to be able to move your body depending on the manouvres you want to execute , for a 360 your body has to be in the middle of the bodyboard whereas while prone riding your hips have to be in contact with the tail of your board.

Wax the nose of your bodyboard ( last 1/3 from the top ) including the rails , then same thing for the tail and finally the rails in the middle of the board. Drop Knee Riders will wax exactly the same way except that they will just wax half depending whether they are regular or goofy .

How to remove wax

Pour hot water on your bodyboard and the wax should melt off. Another option will be to use a hair dryer wiping the wax off with a wax comb while it's still melted and hot.

Wrist or biceps leash ?

WRIST
Positive- It's comfortable and easier to tie/untie.
Negative- During some tricks ( ARS ), the leash may get rolled around your arm

BICEP
Positive- The main concept is to keep the leash out when paddling as it is tied just above the elbow on your upper arm
Negative- It may hurt while flexing those huge bicep muscles you have.
80% of top bodyboarders today are using the bicep leash

What about Swimfins ?

Bodyboarding without swimfins is almost impossible! Fins will help in all aspects of bodyboarding- paddling out, catching waves, steering and controlling the bodyboard as they are acting as skegs. After the board itself, swimfins are the most important accessories in bodyboarding.

Advice for all who rent bodyboards on Phuket beaches, include fins in the rental and your customers will definitely come back the next day for a new session ; there's nothing more frustrating than renting a bodyboard and not being able to catch a wave....