Bodyboarding Accessories to Keep with You

Surfing and skimboarding are not the only water sports out there. In fact, a safer alternative is gaining popularity and coverage these days. It is called bodyboarding or boogieboard. 

The essential equipment you will need for bodyboarding aside from the board is a leash, swim fins, and wax for the board’s surface. You will also need a body bag to store and protect your board. Moreover, you must dress up for the sport to move around freely. For this, you will need a bodysuit or rash guard, among others.

The market is flooded with different options, so we often get overwhelmed! Take a deep breath, and we will help you dive in. Remember, aesthetics comes after functionality. We are looking for equipment to get us the bang for our buck.

Interestingly, we need to be guided with the bodyboards we pick in the market. The options include its different types, parts, and how to take good care of them. But aside from bodyboards, there are other bodyboarding accessories you need to have to enjoy the watersport more. 

These accessories can provide you and your bodyboard protection, improve their safety, and enhance your performance in bodyboarding. 

List of bodyboarding accessories to keep with you on your next adventure.

1. Swim fins

Swim fins or flippers are not a requirement for beginner bodyboarders, but as you gain skill, you will need to challenge yourself with more complicated tricks. Thus, making it essential for propulsion in the water, allowing you to ride the waves and barrel smoother and to help boost your board in the air. 

Design, rigidity, and style affect the fins’ performance. Rigid fins have more power to accelerate your board in the waters, while a less rigid fin is easier to paddle because of less resistance. Short-bladed stiff swim fins are the most popular choices allowing you to glide faster. 

To avoid cuts while wearing your fin, grab some fin socks, but these are just optional. Fin savers are also available to avoid losing the fins, especially during a wipeout or a huge swell. Fin laces and fin tethers are classics, and just recently, fin saver straps are gaining popularity.

Female legs in flippers on blue water background. Concept of summer vacation

There are different types of fin savers in order to avoid losing your bodyboard fins. The simplest ones are the fin laces. You also have classic fin tethers that are possibly the easiest to use. More recently, we’ve seen the invention of the fin saver straps. They maintain the swim fins on your feet while increasing the comfort of the fins on the heel straps.

Top recommended features for swim fins

Pick swim fins that are made from soft silicone material

Make sure that the soft silicone-made swim fins have an asymmetrical V-rail design with three drain holes. This is perfect for drop knee position execution because it does not snag on the board.

Pick swim fins that float in salt water

For the adults, pick swim fins that float in salt water so in case one slips off, it will just bob off and is easy to spot. The sizes include M: 9-10 / W: 10-11.5. Pick color combinations like the tip is yellow, and then the color slowly joins the blue. Pick the type of swim fins that the United States Lifesaving Association officially endorses.

Choose swim fins that are made of vulcanized rubber designed for maximum resistance

Swim fins made out of vulcanized rubber material are also an amazing option. Pick the one with an ultrasoft foot pocket while the fin is medium hard. These are designed for water surface kicks, giving you better water acceleration and propulsion.

2. Leash

With any sport, it is always safety first. Therefore, a leash is the most important bodyboarding accessory. It varies in branding, swivels, and coil length. While the surfer’s leash is tied to the ankle or calf, a bodysurfer’s coiled leash is attached to the wrist or bicep. Beginners and those who enjoy drop knee rides love the wrist leash, while those who ride the board prone likes the bicep leashes. Both help keep the board close to your body and save time. You only need to pull on it to start riding again when you are wiped out. It could also be a floatation device that will save you from drowning. 

Here is a pro tip for you. Rinse your leashes with fresh water at the end of your boarding session, and do not dry them under direct sunlight to keep their integrity.

Most of the bodyboards you can buy today already have a leash attached to them. But if yours doesn’t have one, you can always buy some separately. 

Top recommended features for leash

Choose a leash with a super comfortable nonslip neoprene cuff

Having this kind of lease allows you to have something that you can attach either to your bicep or wrist. Owning a leash with a leash plug and a strong Velcro super quick release system allows the leash to be separated from your board in dangerous hold-downs.

Find a lease that has dual anti-tangle stainless steel swivels

This is important to keep the lease corrosion-resistant. As much as possible, the lease should also have an extra leash plug. A plus on this is you should find a product that comes with e-guide on how to use it and, yes, a guarantee.

3. Wetsuits

Wetsuits in a tourist dive resort in the Philippines

Having a wetsuit is important if you plan to bodyboard in colder climates. And since wetsuits are made of neoprene, they can also make you more buoyant in the water, which is a good safety aspect when bodyboarding. There are different lengths and thicknesses when it comes to wetsuits. You can choose a 3mm wetsuit which is a good all-year suit for cold waters. You just have to make sure that you don’t have too much restriction in movement.

4. Rash vests

Rash vests or also called “rashies” are also useful accessories for bodyboarding. They are usually made from Lycra or thin neoprene. They are used to protect bodyboarders from board or wetsuit rash. Aside from that, these vests can also be used as sun protection.

Indeed, having “Rashies” ensures protection to boarders not only from wetsuit rash but also from sunburn. 

5. Trunks or board shorts

If you will be bodyboarding mostly in warm water, wearing trunks or bodyboard shorts is better. You can find lots of them on the market. These trunks or shorts are usually made of fast-drying nylon with Velcro fastening. When choosing one, you should go for a well-fitting pair so that they will stay secure even when a strong wave hits you.

Female bodyboarder

6. Bodyboard wax

A regular routine before playing with your board is waxing it. Wax helps keep your grip on the board when you are maneuvering. Aside from that, it is also an important accessory for more advanced bodyboarders because it helps them avoid the board to be impeded. It also has an impact on bodyboarders when shifting weight on the board.

Choose a product that can be applied fast and has a thick build up and a putty-like feel underfoot.

7. Bodyboard bag

A bodyboard bag is also a must-have accessory in bodyboarding. It is very useful in transporting and carrying the bodyboard to and from the beach. Aside from that, a bodyboard bag can also protect your board from being scratched or damaged.

Pick bags that you can carry up to two boards. The bags should have shoulder straps so you can carry your body boards on the back and side pockets to store your valuables.

Conclusion

When buying bodyboarding accessories, a perfect mix between form and function is necessary. This is important so you can get geared up and see yourself on the seashore. While not all of them are required, they may all come in handy and help improve your bodyboarding performance.