The best bodyboards are the ones sized on the maker’s own chart for your height and weight. For small children, the BPS Storm 33 (up to 65 pounds) and the Wham-O Boogie 33 (up to 100 pounds) fit. On the makers’ charts below, the 41 to 42.5 inch boards cover riders from about 120 to 200 pounds, such as the WOOWAVE 41 (up to 200 pounds) or the Morey Mach 12 MDS+ (160 to 195 pounds). For bigger riders, the Ultimate WaveMaster Pro 44 lists up to 250 pounds.
WaterSportHQ editors have not ridden these boards. They compared the specs and size charts each brand publishes on its Amazon listing, checked on 2026-10-21. Where a listing contradicts itself, this guide says so.
How to size a bodyboard by height and weight
Use the chart for the board you buy. Makers rate the same length for different riders: WOOWAVE rates its 41 inch board for riders up to 6 ft 1, and Morey rates its 41 inch Mach 7 for riders 5 ft 8 and under.
Morey’s Mach 12 MDS+ listing gives a starting point: stand the board on end, and “chin height is a solid starting point”. Then check the maker’s chart.
| Length | Board and chart | Rider height | Rider weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 33 in | BPS Storm | 2 ft to 4 ft | Up to 65 lb |
| 33 in | Wham-O Boogie | Not given (ages 5 and up) | Up to 100 lb |
| 37 in | BPS Storm | 4 ft to 5 ft 7 | 60 to 120 lb |
| 37 in | Wham-O Boogie | Not given | Up to 140 lb |
| 41 in | BPS Storm | 5 ft 7 to 5 ft 9 | 120 to 188 lb |
| 41 in | Morey Mach 7 | 5 ft 8 and under | 125 to 170 lb |
| 41 in | WOOWAVE | 5 ft 5 to 6 ft 1 | Up to 200 lb |
| 42 in | Morey Mach 7 | 5 ft 7 to 6 ft | 145 to 180 lb |
| 42.5 in | Morey Mach 12 MDS+ | 5 ft 9 to 6 ft 1 | 160 to 195 lb |
| 43 in | Morey Mach 7 | 6 ft and up | 170 to 210 lb |
| 44 in | Morey Big Kahuna | 6 ft and up | 160 to 250 lb (see below) |
| 44 in | Ultimate WaveMaster Pro | Over 5 ft 6 | 150 to 250 lb |
| 45 in | BZ Big Bruddah | Not given | Up to 225 lb |
Sources: each board’s Amazon listing, including the size chart images, checked on 2026-10-21.
Between two sizes? BPS’s listing says to go smaller “if you want easier control while you’re learning to catch waves”, and larger “for more stability and room to grow into it”.
Where the charts contradict themselves
- BPS Storm: the chart gives 4 ft to 5 ft 7 and 120 to 160 cm for the 37 inch board. 160 cm is about 5 ft 3, so the two figures do not match. The 41 inch row has the same gap (5 ft 7 to 5 ft 9 against 155 to 173 cm).
- Morey Big Kahuna 44: the chart says 160 to 250 pounds, but the same listing’s “Weight Capacity Maximum” row says 185 pounds.
- Morey Mach 12 MDS ECO-TECH: the chart says 160 to 195 pounds, and the maximum row says 200.
Editors’ rule of thumb: when a listing gives two limits, go by the lower one, or ask the seller before you buy.
Bodyboard core: EPS, PE or PP
The core is the foam inside the board. The listings describe three kinds:
- EPS (expanded polystyrene): Morey calls its EPS core “ultra-lightweight” with “superior floatation” (Big Kahuna listing). Five of the nine boards below list EPS; for a sixth, the Wham-O Boogie, the listing is unclear.
- PE (polyethylene): Morey says the Mach 7’s PE core gives “exceptional durability & recoil” and does best in “cool to moderate water temperatures”. It is heavier: the 42 inch Mach 7 lists 3,511 g (about 7.7 pounds), against 2.13 kg (about 4.7 pounds) for the 42.5 inch EPS Mach 12 MDS+.
- PP (polypropylene): Morey says the PP core in the Mach 12 MDS ECO-TECH removes “the need for traditional stringers and mesh”. BZ pairs a PP core with two stringers in the Big Bruddah.
Stringers and mesh: what stiffens a board
A stringer is a rod set into the core. Morey says its single REX stringer adds “durability & flex control” (Big Kahuna and Mach 7), and that the fiberglass stringer in the Mach 12 MDS+ is “a shield against snaps and creases, especially when riding bigger waves”.
Mesh does a similar job. The Mach 7 lists X-Flex mesh, “embedded chicken mesh wire” that Morey says prevents over-flexing. The BZ Big Bruddah lists two stringers and no mesh.
The BPS Storm, Wham-O Boogie, WOOWAVE 41 and WaveMaster Pro list no stringer. Editors’ rule of thumb: a board with no stringer is fine for small beach waves; for bigger surf, pick one that lists a stringer or a PP core.
Deck foam: IXPE, XPE and the other names
The deck is the foam skin you lie on. The listings use several names: IXLPE (Morey Mach 12 MDS+, Big Kahuna), NXLPE (Mach 7), IXPE (WaveMaster Pro), XPE (BPS Storm, WOOWAVE) and H-Cell (BZ). Morey says IXLPE is “soft to lay on” and absorbs impact, and that NXLPE is “less likely to cause skin irritation”.
No listing gives a figure that lets you rank one deck foam against another, so this guide does not rank them.
Slick bottom: HDPE or Surlyn
The slick is the hard skin on the bottom. All nine boards below list HDPE (high density polyethylene). Morey says its HDPE slick “reduces drag”.
Surlyn is the other slick material. BZ’s Pro bodyboard, sold for advanced riders in 40 to 42 inch sizes, lists a Surlyn slick and says it gives “the ideal combination of flexibility and stiffness”. Its listing gives no rider weight, so it is not in the table.
Tail, rails and channels
Every board in the table lists a crescent tail. Morey’s Mach 12 MDS+ listing images describe it as “easy to change directions” and made “for quick turns”. None of the nine lists a bat tail, so this guide has no listing to compare one against.
Rails are the board’s side edges, given as a ratio. BPS lists 60/40 rails on the Storm for “greater down the line speed”. Morey lists 60/40 on the Mach 7 and 55/45 on the Mach 12 MDS+. Most boards here also list channels, grooves in the bottom near the tail.
Leash: most boards include one
Seven of the nine boards list a leash in the box, most of them a coiled wrist leash. The Morey Mach 7 and BZ Big Bruddah listings name none. For wrist and bicep leashes, see our bodyboard leash guide.
Best bodyboards compared: nine boards and their limits
| Board | Sizes | Listed rider limit | Core | Stringer | Leash listed | Skill level listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BPS Storm | 33, 37, 41 in | 65, 120 or 188 lb by size | EPS | None listed | Coil, wrist | All |
| Wham-O Boogie | 33, 37 in | 100 or 140 lb by size | Phuzion or EPS (below) | None listed | Wrist | Beginner |
| WOOWAVE 41 | 41 in | 200 lb | EPS | None listed | Coil, wrist | Beginner |
| Morey Mach 12 MDS+ | 42.5 in | 195 lb | EPS | One fiberglass | Coil | All |
| Morey Mach 12 ECO-TECH | 42.5 in | 195 lb on chart, 200 lb max row | PP | None (PP core) | Coil | Beginner and “all” (below) |
| Morey Mach 7 | 41, 42, 43 in | 170, 180 or 210 lb by size | PE | One REX, plus mesh | None named | Intermediate and progressing |
| Morey Big Kahuna 44 | 44 in | 185 lb max row, 250 lb on chart | EPS | One REX | Coil | Beginner |
| Ultimate WaveMaster Pro | 44 in | 250 lb | EPS | None listed | Coil, wrist | All |
| BZ Big Bruddah 45 | 45 in | 225 lb | PP | Two (VFS) | None named | Intermediate |
Sources: each board’s Amazon listing, checked on 2026-10-21. Each link below states the limit again.
The nine boards come from six brands: BPS, Wham-O, WOOWAVE, Morey, Ultimate and BZ. Two of them, Morey and Wham-O, use “Boogie” in a product name, and boogie board is the common name for the same kind of board. This list is not a ranking of the brands.
Bodyboards for children
BPS Storm 33 and 37
BPS sells the Storm in 33, 37 and 41 inch sizes, with an EPS core, an XPE deck, an HDPE slick, 60/40 rails, bottom channels, a crescent tail and a coiled wrist leash with a neoprene cuff. Its chart rates the 33 inch board for riders up to 65 pounds and 2 to 4 ft tall, and the 37 inch for 60 to 120 pounds. BPS calls it “beginner-friendly” and says it “works well through to intermediate riding”. Every board is covered for 12 months, by the listing.
It is not built for bigger surf: no stringer is listed. The 33 inch board is outgrown at 65 pounds, the lowest limit here.
See the BPS Storm on Amazon (33, 37 or 41 inches; up to 65, 120 or 188 pounds)
Own the Wave’s Wave Weapon comes from the same seller, with the same listing text and the same three sizes. See our Wave Weapon notes.
Wham-O Boogie 33 and 37
Wham-O sells the Boogie for “ages 5 and up”. Its comparison chart lists a 100 pound capacity for the 33 inch board (33 x 17.5 x 1.75 inches) and 140 pounds for the 37 inch (37 x 18 x 2 inches). Each comes with a wrist leash and a crescent tail.
The listing contradicts itself on the core: the bullets say a Phuzion core with a Fiberclad cover, and the materials row says EPS. The warranty row says “No”. No stringer is listed. Wham-O pitches it for waves, pool lounging and water parks.
See the Wham-O Boogie 33 on Amazon (up to 100 pounds) or the 37 inch (up to 140 pounds).
What’s the best bodyboard (boogie board) for a beginner adult?
On the listings, three boards fit a beginner adult: the BPS Storm 41 (120 to 188 pounds), the WOOWAVE 41 (up to 200 pounds) and the Morey Mach 12 MDS+ (160 to 195 pounds, with a stringer). Pick by your weight on each maker’s chart.
WOOWAVE 41
WOOWAVE lists the board at 41 x 20.5 x 2.3 inches and 3 pounds, for riders 5 ft 5 to 6 ft 1 and up to 200 pounds. It has an EPS core, an XPE deck, an HDPE slick, a crescent tail and a coiled wrist leash. The seller says the board is heat-sealed rather than glued, to prevent peeling and bubbles, and gives a 1 year warranty.
No stringer is listed. Its height range runs taller than Morey’s and BPS’s charts for a 41 inch board, so riders near 6 ft may still prefer a 42 inch board.
See the WOOWAVE 41 on Amazon (up to 200 pounds)
Morey Mach 12 MDS+
Morey’s chart rates the 42.5 inch Mach 12 MDS+ for riders 5 ft 9 to 6 ft 1 and 160 to 195 pounds, and the listing’s maximum is 195. It has an EPS core with a fiberglass stringer, an IXLPE deck, a double-concave HDPE bottom, a tube rail system, a crescent tail and a coil leash. Morey lists the skill level as all.
It is not for riders under about 160 pounds or over 195. The listing’s width row says 12.2 inches, which is the nose width on Morey’s chart; the chart gives 21.3 inches across.
See the Morey Mach 12 MDS+ on Amazon (160 to 195 pounds)
Bodyboards with a PE or PP core
Morey Mach 7
Morey aims the Mach 7 at “intermediate & progressing riders”. It has a PE core, one REX stringer, X-Flex mesh, an NXLPE deck, an HDPE slick, graduated channels and a crescent tail. Morey’s chart gives 125 to 170 pounds for the 41 inch, 145 to 180 for the 42 inch and 170 to 210 for the 43 inch; the 42 inch listing’s maximum is 180 pounds.
It is heavier than the EPS boards here (3,511 g for the 42 inch), the listing names no leash, and Morey describes its PE core for cool to moderate water rather than warm water.
See the Morey Mach 7 on Amazon (42 inch listing; up to 180 pounds)
Morey Mach 12 MDS ECO-TECH
The ECO-TECH is a 42.5 inch board with a PP core and no stringer or mesh, a double-concave HDPE bottom, a tube rail system, a crescent tail and a coil leash. Morey says it is fully recyclable. Its chart gives 5 ft 8 to 6 ft 1 and 160 to 195 pounds, but the maximum row says 200 pounds. The bullets say “all skill levels” and the skill row says beginner.
See the Morey Mach 12 MDS ECO-TECH on Amazon (160 to 195 pounds on its chart)
Bodyboards for bigger riders
Ultimate WaveMaster Pro 44: up to 250 pounds
BeachMall lists the WaveMaster Pro for riders over 5 ft 6 who weigh 150 to 250 pounds, with a 250 pound maximum. It is 44 inches long, 23.5 inches wide and 2.75 inches thick, and weighs 3 pounds. It has an EPS core, an IXPE deck, an HDPE slick, a crescent tail and a 34 inch coiled wrist leash. The warranty is 90 days.
It lists no stringer, and riders under 150 pounds are below its range.
See the Ultimate WaveMaster Pro 44 on Amazon (150 to 250 pounds)
BZ Big Bruddah 45: up to 225 pounds
BZ sells the Big Bruddah for “bigger-sized riders over to 225 lbs”, with a 225 pound maximum. It has a Zero-G polypropylene core, two VFS stringers, an 8 lb H-Cell deck, an HDPE slick, dual channels and a crescent tail, with no mesh. The skill level is listed as intermediate.
The listing is inconsistent: its age row says kid and teen, against a title sold “for big & tall riders”, and its item weight (8 pounds) matches the deck’s 8 lb foam figure, so treat that weight with caution. No leash is named.
See the BZ Big Bruddah 45 on Amazon (up to 225 pounds)
Morey Big Kahuna 44: check the limit first
Morey sells the Big Kahuna 44 for “bigger riders or those seeking extra float”, with an EPS core, a single REX stringer, an IXLPE deck, an HDPE slick, graduated channels, a crescent tail and a coil leash. Its chart says 6 ft and up and 160 to 250 pounds, but its maximum row says 185 pounds. Riders over 185 pounds should ask Morey which figure applies before buying.
See the Morey Big Kahuna 44 on Amazon (185 pound maximum row; 250 on its chart)
Boards this guide used to list
Several boards on the old version of this page are no longer sold on Amazon. Our product notes cover what their listings said and current boards of the same size: Legendary Pro X, Younger 41 inch, Wave Rebel Oxygen, California Board Company Magnum 44, Morey Cruiser 42.5 and Body Glove Phantom 42.5.
What to check before you buy
- Your weight against the listed limit, and the lower figure when a listing gives two.
- The size: each size is often its own listing, so confirm it after you pick a color.
- The board on arrival: editors’ rule of thumb, look for bubbles or lifted skin along the rails while a return is still easy.
For care, BPS’s listing says to cover the board with a towel if there is no shade, rinse it with fresh water after each use, avoid long sun exposure and store it flat. For more on fit, see bodyboard sizes and how to choose a bodyboard; for fins, see bodyboard fins.