Buying a bodysurfing handboard may seem like a simple decision but it requires a little more research than you think. It is definitely worth some time reviewing and searching for the best bodysurfing handboard that fits your wave-riding needs before simply ordering the first one you come across.
What are the best handboards for bodysurfing? Here are the top 10:
- Slyde Wedge Handboard
- Slyde Grom Handboard
- Riva Onyx MkII Handplane (Garage Handplanes)
- Slyde Bula Handboard
- Sole Handplanes Moontail
- Ecto Bodysurfing Handplanes – Glass
- Velo Handboard – 1. Standard (PPP Handboards)
- GoFloats Bodysurfing Handboard
- Coastal Roots Hand Planes
- Hydro Body Surfer PRO Handboard
#10 – Hydro Body Surfer PRO Handboard
If you want a cheap handboard that will last then the Hydro Body Surfer Pro is for you. It features a slightly concave bottom to help channel water quickly underneath the board to help you reach maximum speeds while remaining in control.
The adjustable velcro hand strap will fit all size hands. It also has a wrist leash that is firmly designed into the board so you never lose it during a wipeout. If this handboard does slip from your hand, the high-visibility colors make it easy to locate it in the water.
The Hydro Pro is made of durable molded plastic to prevent dings and cracking. You can ride waves aggressively without having to worry about breaking it. However, be careful this board does not hit your face during wipeouts becuase the material is quite hard.
The Hydro handboard measures roughly 11 inches long and just under 6 inches wide. It is small enough for easy transportation and convenient storage.
9 – Coastal Roots Hand Planes
The first thing you will notice about the Coastal Roots hand plane is the high-visibility color. There is no way you can lose sight of this brightly colored handboard!
It is very flat and wide, which makes it buoyant and forgiving for first-time bodysurfer. You will be able to ride both small and large waves for great distances.
The Coastal Roots hand plane fits comfortably in the palm of your hand. The hand strap is adjustable to fit all hand sizes.
It is very easy to use, even as a beginner. The board features a sleek, smooth shape so you can quickly glide across the surface of the water with optimal lift. It is very compact and made of fiberglass material so it won’t damage easily.
The small size of the board makes it a travel-friendly companion. Plus, it is super easy to store in your home.
8 – GoFloats Bodysurfing Handboard
Want to bodysurf faster and farther at an affordable price? The GoFloats bodysurfing
The GoFloats hand plane is made from durable composite plastic. This material keeps it protected from corrosive saltwater and physical impact with rocks or coral.
The flat design provides a forgiving surface for beginners. You will swiftly float across the water surface with amazing lift.
If the GoFloats handboard slips off your hand you will be able to locate it easily because it floats and also consists of vibrant colors. It is water resistant so you will never have to worry about this handboard getting waterlogged.
The GoFloats handboard features an adjustable hand strap for comfort. This board is one of the smaller hand planes on the market, which makes it very portable. It measures 11” x 7”.
7 – Velo Handboard 1. Standard (PPP Handboards)
The feature that separates PPP handboards from other major brand handboards in the market is the use of locally grown paulownia wood to create their boards. This delivers a unique bodysurfing experience.
The Velo Standard
The Velo features a slight up facing nose, level tail, and gradual sloping rail line that contribute to a smoother ride than other
The Velo is a lightweight handboard that measures 13” x 8”. It is small enough to fit in your carry bag and can be conveniently stored in small spaces. This board performs best in wave heights over 1 foot.
6 – Ecto Bodysurfing Handplanes – Glass
A compact, foam core board with a super smooth laminate finish. The buoyancy of Ecto Glass hand planes
These handboards are 11” long by 7.5” wide. They measure 1 inch thick, which makes this board very forgiving so you can easily catch a wave and start planing across the water quickly.
The Ecto Glass handboards are excellent in all types of surf conditions. It is made of ultra light PU foam and fiberglass shell, which reinforces the strength of the board.
Ecto Hand planes feature a built-in GoPro mounting insert on the nose of the board. This allows you to attach a GoPro for a cool POV or selfie film.
This handboard is perfect for beginner and experienced bodysurfers. It is easy to master and provides excellent control on the wave face due to the moderate rail design.
The Ecto glass displays detailed artwork laced with vibrant colors on the deck. It also has a fully adjustable neoprene hand strap for maximum comfort.
The underside of the handboard is designed with a slight concavity to maximize speed and minimize sprayback. There is also a removable wrist leash and carry bag included.
5 – Sole Handplanes Moontail
The Sole Moontail is an amazing wooden
The ample surface area makes the Moontail one of the most bouyant boards in the market. It measures 12.5” x 7.5”. It is perfect for beginners and also heavier bodysurfers.
The hand strap preserves your grip so you can perform at the highest level possible. The engraved laser design is a cool touch enhanced by the laminate finish. There is also a removable wrist leash included with purchase.
4 – Slyde Bula Handboard
The Slyde Bula is your “go-to” board for steep wave breaks. The concave design provides maximum hold and excellent planing ability. You will be surprised how you remain stuck to the wave face.
There is a GoPro mounting insert built-in to the nose of the board to meet all of your filming needs. It uses an angled screw to keep your camera firmly in place.
The hand strap is adjustable and firmly screwed into the deck of the board. The colors and high-definition graphic design make this a very attractive handboard visually.
The Bula is made from an epoxy foam core reinforced with a strong fiberglass outer shell. This material keeps it protected from potential damage.
There is a wrist leash plug built-in to the deck of the board in case you want to conveniently attach a bicep leash or wrist leash. This is helpful in remaining connected to your board at all times.
It does not perform well in smaller surf. The Bula should be used in 5+ foot waves.
This board is expensive and can be difficult to master. The Bula is truly designed for the experienced bodysurfer.
3 – Riva Onyx MkII Handplane (Garage Handplanes)
Garage handplanes are high-quality boards designed in Sydney, Australia. The Riva Onyx MkII uses a lightweight EPS foam core center with a smooth, protective laminate finish.
It is very easy to use and swim with. The lightweight design allows for easy handling while paddling past the surf break.
The construciton of the Riva Onyx MKII handplane delivers ultimate buoyancy and lift. You will notice amazing control and minimal sprayback due to the concave underside and diamond tail shape.
The Riva MKII is one of the best handboards for beginners. There is an adjustable strap to fit young and older bodysurfers.
This is a large board measuring 15.7” x 9.4”. The wide, thick deck is very forgiving and delivers an excellent planing surface for balancing your body. The dimensions and overall design make the Riva Onyx MKII one of the most comfortable handboards on the market.
You will notice increased wave hold in barrels and superior lift while riding any wave. The Riva is extremely durable since it is made from high-density foam and carbon fiber. This also makes it very lightweight and easy to transport.
A cool feature on the Riva Onyx MKII is the GoPro mounting insert located at the nose of the board. This mounting insert makes it possible to attach your GoPro for filming epic bodysurfing sessions.
Another neat feature is the removable hull fin. If you need more control, simply insert the fin.
2 – Slyde Grom Handboard
The Slyde Grom is the by far the best handboard for beginners. The soft top and slick HDPE bottom make this a high selling point for those new to the sport. It functions like a smaller version of a bodyboard.
The Grom is a fairly large board that is super buoyant. It is one of the most forgiving handboards you can bodysurf with, which makes it ideal for beginners.
The thick foam absorbs most bumps and choppy surf to provide a smoother ride. The buoyancy produced by the board design will have you riding waves further and faster than you thought possible..
Even though the board has a soft-top design, it is still very durable. It is constructed to protect you from injuring yourself. It will not hurt if the board accidentally hits your head.
The Grom handboard comes in a variety of high-visibility colors so you never lose it.
The best wave height to use the Slyde grom is 1 – 5 foot waves. Surfing anything larger than 5 feet can be dangerous.
Since the deck of the Slyde Grom is foam, you will not be able to use an adhesive camera mount for attaching your GoPro to the deck. There is also no GoPro mounting insert design into the board. This means you need to make your own mount into the board or use a different method of filming.
#1 Slyde Wedge Handboard
The favorite and most popular bodysurfing handboard is the Slyde Wedge. The design and feel of this handboard is amazing.
The adjustable strap fits all hand sizes and the board is made of quality material, which makes it super durable. The buoyancy, lift, and hold provides incredible maneuverability and increased riding distance.
Best Bodysurfing Handboards For Specific Needs
The type of handboard you need depends on a few different factors:
- The type of surf & wave height
- Your style of riding
- Your budget
- Level of experience
Here are some excellent bodysurfing handboard recommendations based on your needs.
Best Bodysurfing Handboard For Children & Novices
I know I said the Slyde Wedge was one of the best for beginners (and it is!) but something even more user-friendly is the Slyde Grom handboard. Make this your first handboard and you won’t be disappointed.
It’s perfect for all ages and skill levels. It’s one of the best bodysurfing handboards for children because of the soft foam edges and affordable price.
The Slyde Grom will easily help you catch almost any wave you desire. You will be riding higher and father than you could ever imagine. This is a fun and safe handboard that will prevent injury during wipeouts.
The Grom only weighs about 9 oz and measures close to 18 inches in length. It is very durable so it should last a lifetime.
It contains an extra sticky grip so it never slips from your hand. You can use this board in waves measuring up to 5 feet high. You will be surprised how good of a ride you get even in 1-foot waves!
Cheapest Bodysurfing Handboard
When it comes to your budget, sometimes you need affordable options. This is why I wanted to share with you a cheap bodysurfing handplane that will help you catch more waves.
I found the GoFloats
Make sure to check out my
Best Bodysurfing Handboard For Max Speed
The fastest bodysurfing handboard on the market that I’ve seen is the Phish handboard from Slyde. This board did not make the top 10 because it is in a category of its own: SPEED. The aquadynamic design is built for riding waves with maximum velocity.
The shape mimics that of the retro fishtail surfboards from the 1970’s. It weighs around 24 oz and measures 18 inches in length and roughly 8 inches wide. It is made from urethane foam and wears a TPU flak jacket laminate that increases the overall buoyancy and durability.
I recommend this board to the more advanced bodysurfers because of how quickly it will propel you down the line across the face of the wave. You really need to know what you are doing so you don’t lose control and wipeout prematurely. It is very responsive to even the slightest shift in weight when you are traveling at such high speeds.
This board gives you one of the smoothest, fastest rides on the market. It is best used in fast-breaking waves.
Medium to large waves equals the perfect playground for this board. Any wave measuring taller than 3 feet is a clear signal that you should be using the Phish handboard.
As with all Slyde handboards, there is a leash plug so you can easily attach a bicep leash. There is also an insert for attaching your GoPro camera mount.
Best Handboard for Shorebreak
If you are an extreme bodysurfer that rides large waves then get the Bula Enoka handboard from Slyde. This is the best bodysurfing handboard for steep waves. It is best suited for the more advanced bodysurfer.
What makes it so special? The bottom surface contour is concave. It is curved to the same radius as that of a mayonnaise jar. Having this type of concave bottom structure acts like a suction cup on the water’s surface, which provides amazing hold so you don’t slide down the wave face.
It weighs around 14 oz. It is one of the smallest handboards on the market measuring just under 12 inches in length and roughly 7 inches wide. The dimensions of this board make it super convenient for transporting.
It has reinforced rails and uses triaxial fiberglass for amazing durability. The handstrap is securely anchored to the board and adjusts to your hand size.
There is also a leash plug and GoPro insert built into the board deck. The Bula was actually designed to ride the waves at Point Panics so hope you are ready to enjoy more barrels than you ever have before!
Best Multi-Condition Bodysurfing Handboard
Like I mentioned before, the best “every day” handboard for bodysurfing is the Slyde Wedge. If you are a serious bodysurfer then get this handboard to take your performance to the next level.
The Slyde Wedge is perfect for all users regardless of skill level. This board is very easy to learn for beginner bodysurfers.
The design reduces drag and increases lift so you can catch more waves and ride them further. This board is very fast too!
You can use the Slyde Wedge handboard in any type of surf condition, which was another great feature. Catching small or large waves using this handplane is easy. This should be everyone’s “go-to” handboard.
The Slyde Wedge weighs around 22 oz. It measures just under 20 inches in length and around 10 inches in width. Even though it is the largest handboard on the market, it is still very portable.
The bottom contour features a slight concavity for excellent grip on the wave face and smooth water flow out the back, which improves speed and reduces spray back. This is a very forgiving board thus making it great for first-timers looking to have more fun in the water!
You can capture your bodysurfing adventures with a GoPro or a camera that uses a GoPro mount because there an insertion built into the board for this specific mount. There is also a leash plug for you to attach your bicep leash coil.
The Wedge has a high-density foam core and the outside of the board is coated with triaxial fiberglass, which makes it very durable. The adjustable velcro strap will fit all hand sizes and is securely fastened to the board so it will never come loose. There are a few different styles and versions to choose from such as the black carbon model, which is pretty dope.
Make sure to check out my full review on the Slyde Wedge if you are serious about getting this board.