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Skimboard Buying Guide | How To Choose The Right Skimboard For You

Skimboard Buying Guide

Welcome to the Circle One Skimboard Buying Guide.  We are one of the top manufacturers of epoxy glass fibre and carbon fibre skimboards for serious wave riding, so can help you find the right skimboard for your skill level and aspiration. Firstly, you need to know what sort of skimboarding you would like to be doing, your skill level, and your height and weight as that will determine the size of your new skimboard.

Skimboarding can be done on the flat shoreline (often known as ‘flatland’ skimming), where you skim in the shallow water of a shore break or lake, or you can take the board further out and actually ride the curling wave just offshore. Skimboards have also gained popularity as an alternative to a wakesurfing board and in kitesurfing (when you prefer to not be strapped to a board) so really are a versatile board option. Our epoxy glass fibre and carbon fibre skimboards are lightweight and strong; ideal for wave riding and pulling tricks as you grow in confidence.

Which Construction Should I Choose?

Often when people think of skimboarding, they think of cheaper wooden skimboards which are mostly flat, quite heavy and thin. Wooden skimboards are a great family option for messing around in the shallows and for lighter adults and kids but their limited performance will not allow you to move to the next level of wave riding and tricks.  If you want to get more serious about skimboarding, then you will benefit hugely from a lighter and better constructed epoxy glass fibre or carbon fibre skimboard. These have better flotation to take on waves, often have a rocker (where the board curves upward mainly on the nose) for more efficient turning and carving, and are thicker with a larger plan surface area to take on greater distances – crucial if you want to get out to deeper water waves.

You might have seen various skimboard tail shapes in the marketplace such as pintail, squash tail or swallow tail.  Here at Circle One all our skimboards have the classic Pintail design as we have found throughout our years of manufacturing, riding and testing these boards that the Pintail offers the optimum combination of balance and performance.

In terms of the comparison between our epoxy glass fibre and carbon fibre boards, both types of construction benefit from the same durable ‘sandwich’ construction as our surfboards range.  Both types have the same high density EPS ‘foam’ core, and two layers of fibre laminated with premium epoxy resin.  The key difference is the carbon boards have one layer of fibre replaced with carbon fibre.  We only use top aerospace grade 3k 220g/m3 carbon fibre for superior rigidity and a smaller flex window giving the rider increased feedback and more responsive ride.  Whichever construction type you go for, you can be assured we only use the best materials available and you can buy in full confidence that you will own one of the best skimboards on the market.

Which Size Skimboard Should I Choose?

The main thing to consider when picking your skimboard size, is your height and weight. The below table shows your ideal length of skimboard (for both Epoxy+Glass Fibre and Epoxy+Carbon Fibre models) based on your weight. It goes without saying that if you are smaller, you can handle a smaller board but if you are heavier you will need the additional float of a bigger board.

Rider WeightRecommended Skimboard Length/s
StoneKgInches
Up to 7Up to 4539" - 43"
7 - 1045 - 6543" - 46"
8.5-11.555 - 7546" - 50"
10 - 1365 - 8050" - 52"
11.5 - 14.575 - 9052" - 54"
13 - 1680 - 10054" - 56"
14.5 - 17.5>90 - 110>56"

In terms of height, your skimboard should come up to around your own waist to chest height. Your ability may also affect the size you opt for as larger boards are easier to ride, with greater surface area to stand on, and more float. However, they also go faster and further, so if you are smaller and still learning, go for the smallest board you feel you could ride in order to have that control, and be able to turn the board easier. Expert skimboarders may also go for a smaller board as they are more flexible and easier to perform tricks on, and they are good enough to balance on them. But if your goal is speed and distance, then a longer board will suit you better.

Skimboard Accessories

As a minimum, we recommend waxing your skimboard for grip (similar to waxing a surfboard). You can also add a traction pad and / or arch bar to your skimboard for even better grip and control on the board. Circle One sells full skimboard packages which include both a traction pad and arch bar, along with some wax and a premium skimboard bag to protect and carry your skimboard when on the move.

If you would like more specific advice on the best skimboard for you, or if you are buying for a family member, then please give us a call on 0330 043 1256 or email us on [email protected] and we will be happy to chat and provide you with advice.

 

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