The main bodyboarding buying tip: buy the whole kit, not just the board. A first kit is a board sized to you, a leash and fins, plus a wetsuit or rash guard for your water. An entry-level EPS board suits occasional riding; PE and PP boards cost more and last longer.
This page covers what to buy and how much board you need. The advice comes from eBodyboarding’s buyer’s guide and getting-started guide (eBodyboarding is a bodyboarding shop in San Clemente, California) and Surf Life Saving Australia’s Beachsafe site, all read on 2026-10-21. WaterSportHQ editors have not ridden the boards named here. For core, tail and slick details, see how to choose a bodyboard.
The four items a first bodyboarding kit needs
- A board sized to your height and weight. See bodyboard sizes for the charts.
- A leash. eBodyboarding says there are two types, wrist and bicep, and that entry-level boards usually come with a basic wrist leash. A better board usually needs a leash bought separately. See the best bodyboard leashes.
- Fins. Surf Life Saving Australia says even learners should use fins and a leash, because lifeguards rescue bodyboarders who cannot kick out of rip currents without fins. See the bodyboard fins compared.
- Something to wear. Editors’ rule of thumb: a wetsuit in cool water, a rash guard in warm water, so the deck does not rub your chest and stomach.
Which core level to buy
eBodyboarding’s buyer’s guide sorts boards into three levels by core:
| Core | Level | What eBodyboarding says |
|---|---|---|
| EPS | Entry level | Made to be inexpensive, not durable or high performance. Ideal on a budget; usually comes with a leash. |
| PE | Mid level | Much more durable and better performing than EPS, but costs more. Heavier than PP; flex changes with water temperature. |
| PP | High end | Lighter and a bit stiffer than PE, and less sensitive to temperature. Costs more again. |
It says that if you plan to ride for several seasons or many days a year, spending a little more for quality and durability is worth it. Its getting-started guide says most beginners start on an entry-level board.
Match the core to your water temperature
eBodyboarding says EPS and PE boards get softer in warm water and stiffer in cold water. Its temperature bands:
- Cold, below 60°F (15°C).
- Cool, 60 to 70°F (15 to 20°C): all cores work, though PP feels stiffer.
- Warm, 71 to 77°F (21 to 24°C).
- Tropical, above 77°F (24°C): it says you would typically want a PP core, since EPS and PE feel more flexible.
Buy for the rider you are now
- Beginners: eBodyboarding says a beginner usually rides broken waves straight to the beach, and suggests a longer board within your size range.
- Children: it says a child who wears fins should get a board that fits now, not one to grow into.
- Heavier riders: it says to look for a wider, thicker high volume board rather than a longer one.
Why people take up bodyboarding
- Children can start young. Beachsafe says many kids learn to catch waves on a bodyboard, between the flags. eBodyboarding’s Jay Reale says the shop’s owners started their own kids at age 2.
- It lasts. Reale calls bodyboarding “a life sport” and says he rides with people well into their 70s.
- The cost is mostly the kit. Reale says the only investment is the equipment when you start, and your time.
- No pop-up to learn. In the editors’ view, this is the main difference from surfing at the start: you ride lying down, so you do not have to stand up on the board. See bodyboard vs boogie board for more on how the two compare.
Next steps
- Plan your first day at the beach: bodyboarding for beginners.
- Compare current boards by rider size: best bodyboards by rider size.
- Learn the riding position and steering: how to ride a bodyboard.