Bodyboarding Tips and Gear for the Whole Family

Bodyboarding, also known as boogie boarding, is a wildly popular (and fun!) beach activity that is versatile enough for people of all ages to enjoy. Often scoffed at by surfers as the cheap and easy way to steal their waves, bodyboarding is being embraced by more and more beachgoers around the world, including unlikely pro surfers like Kelly Slater.

The great thing about bodyboarding is that it doesn't take a lot of effort to ride a wave. With the right gear and a good board, you can easily learn how to master bigger waves, or you can buy a cheap board at your local beach store or surf shop and play around in the whitewater. However you want to play, I have some gear recommendations and tips that can help you make the most out of your day at the beach.

First, whether you're rushing to the beach to get pounded by some awesome hurricane swell, or if your kids are spending a leisurely day at the beach, you want to start out by selecting a board that fits the right height and weight.

Many averaged-sized male pro-bodyboarders like to go with a 41.5 inch board, even if they are technically a different size, but according to the experts at eBodyboarding.com, the following sizes are recommended:

36" to 38" board, 65-85 lbs. and 4' to 5' tall
39" board, 85-115 lbs. and 4'6" to 5'2" tall
40" board, 110-130 lbs. and 5'3" to 5'6" tall
41" to 41.75" board 125-170 lbs. and 5'7" to 5'9" tall
42" board 145-180 lbs. and 5'9" to 6'0" tall

If you are a shorter, heavier person, go by weight and not height. Some boards are designed for larger people, and are wider and shorter than normal boards in the tall categories, which can range up to 46 inches in length.

Children can use their parents' boards with no real problems, especially if they are just fooling around in the whitewater, but it would be wise to stick to the chart so they aren't dwarfed by a board that is too big and clumsy for them to handle well.