Skimboard Buying Guide

Welcome to the Circle One Skimboard Buying Guide! We are one of the top manufacturers of epoxy and carbon skimboards for serious wave riding, so can help you find your perfect skimboard in terms of fit and design. Firstly, you need to know what sort of skimboarding you would like to be doing, what your ability is, and your height and weight as that will affect the size of your new skimboard.

Skimboarding can be done on the flatland, where you skim in the shallow water on a beach or lake, or take it further and ride waves in the sea. Skimboards are also gaining popularity as wake skates and in kitesurfing for wave riding when you prefer to not be strapped to a board. Epoxy and carbon skimboards are lightweight and strong, ideal for performing tricks on the water in any capacity!

 

Wooden vs Epoxy vs Carbon

Often when people think of skimboarding, they think of cheaper wooden skimboards which are mostly flat, quite heavy and thin. These are great for messing around in the shallows and for lighter adults and kids, but if you are serious about skimboarding, then you will benefit a lot more from a lighter and better constructed epoxy foam or carbon fibre skimboard. These have better flotation to take on waves, often have a rocker for better turning and carving, and are thicker and bigger to offer more surface area for skimming on.

The main benefit of a wooden skimboard is the price; they are a lot cheaper but won’t last as long if you are using it often. Great for beginners or playing around on holiday, but to improve we would recommend going for an epoxy foam construction. Carbon Fibre boards offer top level performance, giving the best strength to weight ratio, plus greater rigidity and responsiveness to the ride. They can cover greater distances at speed over water, and perfect for superior wave riding and tricks.

 

 

Which Size Skimboard Should I Choose?

The main thing to consider when picking your skimboard size, is your own height and weight. The below table shows your ideal length of skimboard (for epoxy and carbon 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 Weight		Recommended Skimboard Length/s
Stone	Kg	Inches
Up to 7	Up to 45	39" - 43"
7 - 10	45 - 65	43" - 46"
8.5-11.5	55 - 75	46" - 50"
10 - 13	65 - 80	50" - 52"
11.5 - 14.5	75 - 90	52" - 54"
13 - 16	80 - 100	54" - 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 slightly 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 Construction

Circle One skimboards have been designed and built to last, with layers of premium construction to offer a lightweight and strong skimboard. Both our epoxy and carbon boards have single wood stringers for strength and controlled flex down the centre of the board. The EPS foam and epoxy construction is lightweight and strong for greater float and balance on waves.

 

Skimboard Accessories

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 travelling.

 

If you would like more specific advice on which skimboard would be right for you then please give us a call on 0330 043 1256 or email us on [email protected]