Bodyboards Compared by Core Material and Flex
The Morey Mach 7 Bodyboard leads for all-round performance, with a core stiff enough for real waves. The THURSO SURF Quill 42 Inch Bodyboard is the value pick thanks to a durable slick bottom. The Wavestorm Bodyboard covers casual beach days at the lowest cost.
The Morey Mach 7 Bodyboard keeps working as a rider improves. The THURSO SURF Quill 42 Inch Bodyboard covers most riders with a tougher slick bottom for less money. A Wavestorm Bodyboard is enough board for a family beach day.
Bodyboards get bought badly more often than most gear, since sizing charts vary between brands and core material sits buried in the listing. Core type decides almost everything about how a board rides, from expanded polystyrene through polypropylene. We compared slick bottom material, whether a stringer is fitted, how length maps to rider height and weight, and the quality of the included leash across the seven boards below.
What we recommend
Morey Mach 7 Bodyboard
Morey built the sport, and the Mach 7 is the model most riders end up on, with a core stiff enough to hold a line in real surf. A shape that still forgives a beginner sets it apart from purely performance boards. Its crescent tail adds control on a wave face without punishing a rider still learning to angle in.
Pros
- Stiff core holds its line in real surf
- Forgiving enough for improving riders
- Holds resale value and long term durability
Cons
- Costs more than casual beach boards
- Stiff core feels less lively in very small waves
THURSO SURF Quill 42 Inch Bodyboard
A high density polyethylene slick bottom resists the scuffing that shore break dishes out, which is how most cheap boards die early. Twin stringers add stiffness so the board holds shape under a heavier rider. Owners report the included leash outlasts the throwaway ones bundled with most boards at this price.
Pros
- Tough slick bottom survives shore break
- Twin stringers stop the board folding
- Includes a usable leash rather than a token one
Cons
- Single length limits rider fit
- Polystyrene core is less responsive than polypropylene
Wavestorm Bodyboard
Buy this when the real question is whether the family will use a board more than twice a summer. It floats well, stays soft on knees and elbows during a tumble, and costs little enough to leave in a garage over winter. Serious wave riding sits outside what it is built for.
Pros
- Low outlay for a whole family
- Soft construction is gentle in a wipeout
- Plenty of float for beginners
Cons
- Soft core flexes too much for real waves
- Not built for a full season of heavy use
BZ Advantage Bodyboard
BZ builds this for riders past the learning stage who want speed down the line and response off the bottom turn. A stiffer-than-average core pairs with rails shaped for holding a high line. That precision goes to waste on a rider still learning to catch waves, and it forgives far less in the process.
Pros
- Genuinely fast down the line
- Rails hold an edge on steeper faces
- Built for regular hard use
Cons
- Too stiff and demanding for beginners
- Limited value in small mushy waves
Own the Wave 33 Inch Bodyboard
Sized properly for a child rather than scaled down from an adult board, which matters since an oversized board is genuinely hard for a small rider to control. Construction stays straightforward, with a slick bottom and a wrist leash. Adults will find it far too small to be useful.
Pros
- Correctly sized for younger riders
- Light enough for a child to carry
- Includes a wrist leash sized for kids
Cons
- Far too small for teenagers or adults
- Basic core will not suit progression
South Bay Board Co. Bodyboard
A wide, buoyant shape catches waves easily, which is exactly what beginners struggle with most. Extra float means planing sooner and more rides per session, and more rides is how anyone improves. Experienced riders will find that same width slows the board on a steeper face.
Pros
- Catches waves easily thanks to extra float
- Wide template is stable under a beginner
- Coiled leash included in the box
Cons
- Width slows the board on steep faces
- Not a board you keep as you progress
BPS Storm Bodyboard
Light enough to carry far down a beach or check into a flight without a fight, which sounds trivial until hauling a heavy board a mile in the sun. Build quality holds up well for the price, with a slick bottom and stringer included. Very light boards give up some drive in bigger surf, which is the trade.
Pros
- Light to carry over distance and to travel with
- Stringer adds useful stiffness for the weight
- Reasonable build quality for the outlay
Cons
- Light construction loses drive in bigger surf
- Less durable than heavier performance boards
How they stack up
| # | Model | Core | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morey Mach 7 Bodyboard | Polypropylene | Best overall | 9.4 | Check price |
| 2 | THURSO SURF Quill 42 Inch Bodyboard | Expanded polystyrene with stringers | Best value | 9.2 | Check price |
| 3 | Wavestorm Bodyboard | Soft foam | Best budget | 9.0 | Check price |
| 4 | BZ Advantage Bodyboard | Performance polypropylene | Best for performance | 8.8 | Check price |
| 5 | Own the Wave 33 Inch Bodyboard | 33 inches | Best for kids | 8.6 | Check price |
| 6 | South Bay Board Co. Bodyboard | High float foam with stringer | Best for beginners | 8.3 | Check price |
| 7 | BPS Storm Bodyboard | Lightweight polystyrene with stringer | Best for travel | 8.0 | Check price |
What to look for
What to look for in a bodyboard Core material, slick bottom, stringer and length against rider size are the four factors that decide how any bodyboard rides. Get those right first, since tail shape and colour matter far less than owners assume. A board bought on looks alone tends to plough instead of plane.
Core material and how it changes the ride Expanded polystyrene stays light and buoyant, which suits beginners and warm water, but it flexes and loses stiffness over time. Polypropylene rides stiffer, responds faster and holds its shape far longer, which is why performance boards use it. Extruded polystyrene sits between the two. Riders in cold water benefit most from polypropylene, since cheaper cores go soft when chilled.
Sizing a bodyboard to rider height and weight A board stood on its tail should reach roughly the rider’s navel, with heavier riders sizing up for float and lighter riders sizing down for control. Weight matters as much as height, since an under-buoyant board ploughs instead of planing. Brand charts differ, so check the specific chart rather than assuming a length transfers between makers.
Slick bottoms, stringers and keeping a board alive The slick is the hard plastic layer underneath, and high density polyethylene resists shore break scuffing far better than cheaper surlyn-style alternatives. A stringer is a rod through the core that stops the board folding under load, worth insisting on for anyone above about seventy kilograms. Rinsing in fresh water and keeping a board out of a hot car prevents the slick from delaminating from the core.
Questions worth asking
What size bodyboard do I need?
As a starting point, the board should reach roughly the navel when stood on its tail. Heavier riders should size up for float, lighter riders down for easier turning, and the specific brand chart should always get the final say.
What core material should I choose for a bodyboard?
Polystyrene cores stay light, buoyant and cheap, suiting beginners and warm water. Polypropylene rides stiffer and more responsive and holds its shape far longer, making it the choice for regular riding and colder water.
Do I need swim fins for bodyboarding?
Not in whitewater. Once catching unbroken waves and controlling the board on the face becomes the goal, fins turn close to essential, since they let a rider match wave speed and paddle in earlier.
What is a stringer and do I need one?
A stringer is a reinforcing rod through the core that stops a bodyboard flexing and folding. Riders above roughly seventy kilograms should treat one as necessary, since an unstringered board can take a permanent bend.
Can adults use a bodyboard, or is it just for kids?
Bodyboarding is a full adult sport with its own competitive scene. Adult riders just need adult sizing and a stiffer core, since child-sized boards will not float or control properly under an adult.
How do I stop my bodyboard getting damaged?
Rinse it in fresh water after every session, keep it out of direct sun and never leave it in a hot car. Heat separates the slick bottom from the core faster than any wave ever will.
What is the difference between a crescent tail and a bat tail bodyboard?
A crescent tail wraps around the hips for more control and hold, favoured for prone riding. A bat tail runs wider and looser, suiting drop knee riding and lighter riders. Crescent stays the safer default for most people.
Is a leash necessary for bodyboarding?
Yes. A leash keeps the board attached after a wipeout, saving a long swim and stopping a loose board from hitting another swimmer. Wrist leashes suit prone riding, bicep leashes suit drop knee.
Best bodyboard for beginners vs advanced riders, what changes?
Beginners benefit from a soft, wide, buoyant core like foam or polystyrene that catches waves early and forgives mistakes. Advanced riders want a stiffer polypropylene core and shaped rails for speed and edge hold on steeper faces.
How long does a bodyboard usually last?
A well cared for board with a stringer and a durable slick bottom can last several seasons of regular use. Soft foam boards aimed at casual beach days wear out faster under repeated heavy use.
The bottom line
The Morey Mach 7 Bodyboard suits anyone who intends to ride more than a handful of times, with a core stiff enough for real waves and a shape that does not punish beginners. The THURSO SURF Quill 42 Inch Bodyboard gets most of the way there with a slick bottom built to survive shore break. For a single family beach day, the Wavestorm Bodyboard covers everything needed.
Sierra Daniels
Sierra's background is in landscape design and nursery retail. She focuses on lawn and garden equipment, outdoor furniture and gear durability, weighing published specs against how materials actually hold up outside.
