Updated on November 30, 2021

Skimboarding is one of those sports that falls somewhere between riding a push scooter and being a pro champion surfer. Combining the styles and skills of skateboarding, snowboarding, and surfing, skimboarding can be as fun or as challenging as you like. Skimboarding can be practiced on the shoreline, where you glide to meet an incoming breaking wave and ride it back to shore. Or it can be done on “flatland”, meaning you skim the wash of the waves or river inlets without catching the shorebreaks.

Maybe you’re a seasoned skimmer who likes to ride breaking waves back to shore, or perhaps you’re just a water lover and you think the idea of riding a skateboard with no wheels on water sounds like a fun time. Either way, with such a diversity of riding and board styles comes a very diverse market for skimboards, which is why we at The Adventure Junkies are here to make your job easier to help you find the best skimboard for your riding needs.

For more of our top surfing gear recommendations, check out the Best Surfboards.

 

Quick Answer - The Best Skimboards

  1. BPS Skimboard
  2. Driftsun Wood
  3. Beachmall Wood
  4. Victoria Skimboards Woody

 

Comparison Table - Best Skimboards

For the best experience turn your device horizontally
NameExperience LevelLengthPurposeBungee Cord Included?PriceRatingReview
SlapfishIntermediate/Experienced48”ShorelineNo$$$4.9Read Review
BPS SkimboardBeginner30”/40”FlatlandNo$4.5Read Review
Zap WedgeBeginner/Intermediate40”/45”/49”Flatland and ShorelineNo$$4.4Read Review
Driftsun WoodBeginner/Intermediate30”/40”Flatland and ShorelineNo$$4.7Read Review
Beachmall WoodBeginner30"FlatlandNo$4.1Read Review
Victoria Skimboards WoodyBeginner35”-43”Flatland and ShorelineNo$$4.8Read Review
NameExperience LevelLengthPurposeBungee Cord Included?PriceRatingReview
Want to learn more about a technical term? Check out our Features Explained section below.

Need buying advice? Take a look at these Things to Consider.

Reviews - Skimboards

Slapfish

Specs
  • Length: 48”
  • Experience Level: Intermediate/Experienced
  • Purpose: Shoreline
  • Bungee Cord Included?: No
Features
  • Rear Traction Pad for Enhanced Grip
  • Streamlined Shape For Increased Speed
  • Fiberglass and Carbon Reinforced Construction Makes For Durable Board

This is not a cheap board, but with its hefty price tag comes some seriously cool features. If you’re an experienced rider looking for a great new board to hit the shore with, this could be the one for you. Handcrafted fiberglass meets a carbon-reinforced nose and tail for the smoothest glide possible and unrivaled durability. The foam core, while lightweight, is structurally dense and incredibly buoyant. There’s even a rear traction pad for extra grip during tricks!

BPS Skimboard

Specs
  • Length: 30”/40”
  • Experience Level: Beginner
  • Purpose: Flatland
  • Bungee Cord Included?: No
Features
  • Contoured Rear For Ease Through Turns
  • Lots of Colors To Choose From
  • High Gloss Coating Allows for Customization

Budget-friendly and available in a wide range of colors and sizes, this is a great first-time skimboard for those wanting to try riding flatland waters. With a contoured rear and slight curvature, this board will be easy to turn and glide effortlessly on the sand without accidentally face planting time and again. What’s more, it’s got a high gloss finish so you can customize your board and really make it yours!

Zap Wedge

Specs
  • Length: 40”/45”/49”
  • Experience Level: Beginner/Intermediate
  • Purpose: Flatland and Shoreline
  • Bungee Cord Included?: No
Features
  • Available in Different Sizes to Accommodate Different Riders
  • Built With Zap Composolite Construction for Lightweight Durability
  • Different Colors Available

For kids and adults, or for beginners and maturing skimmers alike, this board is a great purchase for those looking to start out in skimboarding and progress to riding small shorebreak waves. Though a little more expensive than others, it is built with Zap’s own Composilite construction which is enormously durable. This is a great board for those really looking to get into skimboarding as a regular hobby.

Driftsun Wood

Specs
  • Length: 30”/40”
  • Experience Level: Beginner/Intermediate
  • Purpose: Flatland and Shoreline
  • Bungee Cord Included?: No
Features
  • Made With Durable Poplar Wood
  • Traction Pad Top For Enhanced Grip
  • Curved Design to Reduce Nose Dives

Made from highly durable poplar wood, this solid board will slide effortlessly across the sand. While the underside will present a smooth and frictionless ride, the upper deck is a textured traction pad that will not only increase your grip, but will be there to help you if you want to start whipping out the ollies and kick outs.

Beachmall Wood

Specs
  • Length: 30"
  • Experience Level: Beginner
  • Purpose: Flatland
  • Bungee Cord Included?: No
Features
  • Budget and Beginner Friendly
  • Lightweight and Easy To Carry
  • Made From Solid Wood

Lightweight, super easy to carry, and budget-friendly, this is your perfect family beach companion, and one that’ll keep the kids (and you!) entertained for hours. Made from solid wood with a classic curved design and textured upper deck, this board will have you practicing your skimming skills for hours.

Victoria Skimboards Woody

Specs
  • Length: 35”-43”
  • Experience Level: Beginner
  • Purpose: Flatland and Shoreline
  • Bungee Cord Included?: No
Features
  • Fiberglass Bottom Will Hold Shape For Years
  • Flat Design For Longer Glide
  • Hand Painted Design

This figurehead of skimboarding has really stood the test of time. These boards have been handbuilt for the past 30 years and they’re a classic, excellent quality option that won’t let you down. Made of solid Russian birch and finished off with a hand painted design, this is a unique board that will be the trustiest of steeds on all your skimboarding adventures.

 

 

THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE BUYING A SKIMBOARD

USE

As touched upon in the introduction to this article, skimboarding can be as fun casual or as serious and professional as you want to make it. It’s worth considering how and when you’re going to be using your skimboard as these factors will answer other questions about cost, size, and materials to look for.

Skimboards have two main uses: for gliding towards shorebreak waves and riding them back to shore; or for riding flat, sandy waters such as the wash of beach waves or inland water areas such as river banks and creeks.

Naturally, one (the latter) is a little easier than the other, so if you’re just thinking about sticking to flatland skimming for now, look for boards intended for this use. They’re usually cheaper and made from wood. If you’d like to progress into catching waves, look for boards with a greater volume that are made from foam or fiberglass. Keep reading for more detail on materials.

 

MATERIAL

Generally, skimboards are made up of one of two materials: foam or wood. Foam boards are more buoyant, flexible, lighter and have lots of give. As such, they’re better for the more seasoned skimmer looking to catch shorebreak waves.

Wood boards are great for beginners and flatland skimming. They’re heavier, stiffer, provide a smooth flow along flat waves, and are generally cheaper. Check out Skate Pro’s handy guide for more information about skimboard material.

 

SIZE

Weight and height are important factors when it comes to choosing the right board, as well as the type of skimboarding you’re going to be doing. It’s important you get this right as it will affect balance, speed, ease of movement, and general stability.

A skimboard that’s too small has a similar effect to using a surfboard that’s too small for you; you’ll have little balance and buoyancy and you’ll struggle to learn easily. A board that’s too big, on the other hand, will lack speed and ease, so it’s essential to find just the right fit for you. Have a good look at this sizing chart to figure out which size board you need.

 

 

FEATURES EXPLAINED

CORE

The inside of the board.

DECK

The top side of the board.

TAIL

The rear end of the board.

NOSE

The front end of the board.

EPOXY

A plastic adhesive usually found on the deck of the board to enhance traction and grip.

READ MORE

For more of our top surfing gear recommendations, check out these popular buyer's guides:

Surfboards

Surfboards For Beginners

Soft Top Surfboards

Skimboards

Bodyboards

Boogie Boards

Surfing Wetsuits

Rash Guards

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