r/skimboarding Jun 24 '24

WHAT BOARD DO I BUY? and some subreddit resources

44 Upvotes

If you want to start skimboarding in any capacity, this is your guide. More resources can be found at the bottom of this post. This guide is based on the universal size chart from the Board Buying FAQ.

Note: Only referring to Zap, Victoria, Exile and DB Skimboards because they're big and accessible.

THE WOODIE??

Undoubtedly the cheapest way to try the sport,

<$50 The biggest woodie you can find at any tourist shop, at a coastal grocery store, or on facebook

$125 DB Skimboards Sandfish

$130 DB Skimboards Plank Proto B Stock

MOST COMMON WEIGHTS

If you're confused, size up

$200-$235 Exile EX1 [44", 48", 52"]: Cheapest way to get a new board and get into the sport.

$325-350 Victoria Ultra House Special [50", 51", 53", 55"]: Best bang for buck. Made by hand, will last longer. Lift shape preferable for beginner.

$360 Zap Ace [50", 52", 54", 56"]: Only worth getting a blem (cosmetic defect). Just another option in the Vic's price range.

BIG BOARD ENJOYERS

If you're confused, size up

$350 Victoria Ultra House Special [55"]: 5/8" thickness. If you clear 200lb, go with the Zap.

$360 Zap Ace [56"]: 3/4" thickness. Reasonably priced large ass board. Good for up to like 250lbs~.

Bigger? You have to go used (cheap) or custom ($600+) for 56"+ boards

SMALL

If you're confused, go 48"

$200 Exile EX1 [48"]: Cheapest way to get a new board and get into the sport.

Smaller? Exile EX0 in 44" and 48" are a better deal than Zap's smaller lines

THESE ARE ALL TOO EXPENSIVE CMON..

Sites to find discounts:

Best way to actually get a cheap board is a used board on local marketplace apps like Facebook, Offerup, Craigslist etc. Skimboards last a long time, and people let them go for very cheap, especially if you're in a coastal area.

OTHER r/SKIMBOARDING RESOURCES

Feel free to reply with questions


r/skimboarding 8h ago

Question Should I buy?

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1 Upvotes

I have been trying this sport with flatland boards and I want to start in the waves but I have a low budget. I have seen this board for €80 that is unused but the tail was hit and it seems that it is open and would need repair. I know that this board model is not the best but I want to try a board of waves and if it convinces me in the future I will buy something better. I would really appreciate an answer, thank you.


r/skimboarding 1d ago

Video Hydro plane

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135 Upvotes

took a 4 year break between age of 14-18 and recently gotten back into skimboarding. It’s been fun re learning. Wasn’t able to get any of my good videos filmed, asked a random lady to film this wave for me but didn’t quite make it. Any tips?


r/skimboarding 1d ago

Aliso cam July

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20 Upvotes

Sneaked in front of the cam while skimming at the lifeguard tower. Overcast humid days are the best, remind me of a land far far away that we all like to visit.


r/skimboarding 1d ago

Discussion Who would be your dream podcast guest?

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9 Upvotes

r/skimboarding 1d ago

Photo Should i buy this?

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1 Upvotes

I want to buy this board, saw it online, the seller says, that the mark wouldn't effect the overall board performance. The brand of the board is sandfish. But I don't really trust him, I asked where did he get the skimboard from, the seller said "You only need to know the lenght" or sum like that, so I have my suspicions. Can yall help me make my decision. Should I buy it, will the mark be a problem and is it possible that the board is some kind of replica?


r/skimboarding 2d ago

Drop tips

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5 Upvotes

I've been skimboarding for about 2 years, I usually only get to skim for about 2 weeks a year however I want to start becoming more consistent with it and taking it more seriously. Please could you give me to pointers on what I need to improve my drop some I can practice before I go ahead and start trying to learn other skills.

All feedback appreciated.


r/skimboarding 2d ago

Video South Padre Island: 6/13

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9 Upvotes

First time in 13 years! I thought that I wouldn’t remember, or that I would flop and eat sand the first try. However, when I got to the spot at Clayton’s It felt familiar. The water and tide was just right, the weather, and the vibes were on point. It was hella fun and a great workout. I did fall a couple of times. Thank goodness I stretched before!


r/skimboarding 3d ago

Skimboarding in Italy as a beginner and choosing the right board

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5 Upvotes

Hi, I live in Italy and often I go on vacation to Italian beaches in places like Sardinia and Puglia (where the water is much shallower), I've seen many people online skimboarding, however I noticed that in those videos they are probably in American/Australian oceans where they got big flatlands.

I've done my research and found out that Wooden board are cheaper and easier to use but they are more for shallow/flatlands, however foam boards are better for slightly deeper waters and waves catching (Wich is a thing I want to learn).

so my question is: Are Italian seas good enough? and WOOD OR FOAM

(Pictures of common Italian beaches)


r/skimboarding 4d ago

Have not skimboarded in years.

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59 Upvotes

Fun, need to go to the beach more often


r/skimboarding 3d ago

Question Used Board, does this look fixed/good

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3 Upvotes

I’m buying a new fiberglass Skimboard, and this is the only wear on it near the tail, said it was chipped but professionally redone and sealed - does this look good and won’t affect performance at all.


r/skimboarding 4d ago

Question Too big/heavy?

7 Upvotes

Hey I’m a 40 year old man from Denmark, I’m about 2 meters tall and my weight fluctuates between 110-120 kg - I was hoping to hear from someone around my size if it’s possible to get into skimboarding or if I shouldn’t bother. If skimboarding at my size is infact possible I’d love to hear some board recommendations if there’s anything that’d fit me…


r/skimboarding 6d ago

Zap Joyride XR

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26 Upvotes

Custom made Zap Skimboard
Joyride XR 53” 3/4 tapered to 5/8
Sharp rails
Polyester / Kevlar (don’t like Epoxy)
Smooth deck
Skimmed twice and the board is really responsive.


r/skimboarding 6d ago

Video I think I finally figured out how to get on my board. Just need to work on my timing into the wave haha.

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83 Upvotes

r/skimboarding 6d ago

New blade came out SICK

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37 Upvotes

EXILE ML GOAT Pro shape 👌


r/skimboarding 7d ago

3rd time skimboarding

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39 Upvotes

Am I doing good for my third time skimboarding ever? Any tips?


r/skimboarding 9d ago

Help a new!

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2 Upvotes

Hi, i want to try skimboarding, i never done this before. I really want to take some wave but surf are too big to transport… i am 65kg and 173cm, i’ve seen this board, do you think it would be good for my situation? I’m oppen to all the advices.


r/skimboarding 10d ago

Question what currently available boards feel like the Zap Mr. Incognito

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7 Upvotes

demoed this board at a local event. it had unbelievable float and I could rip backside carves effortlessly even with my back foot placed on those green strips of traction in the middle. this wide diamond tail and full “chubby” outline is definitely for me, but this model is discontinued. the people putting on the event told me that the Zap Prowler, Whip, and Hellcat might be similar, but they didn’t have a Whip and Hellcat for me to try.


r/skimboarding 10d ago

Question How do different types of skimboard material differ in performance

7 Upvotes

Hello guys, I grew up doing plenty of watersports such as surfing, windsurfing, SUP, wingfoil etc. As well as only doing skimboarding at a basic , almost flatland level, at the shorebreak on small glassy water strips, or streams left behind by the retreating ocean tides.

Recently, my social media has been full of clips of more advanced skimboarding mechanics, that I never thought to attempt such as wave reaching, sideslipping techniques, and generally more advanced and awesome stuff.

I am very interested to get into higher levels of skimming, and have mainly been using a wooden board, but had the opportunity to try out a relatives foam-top board and was surprised at the extra floatability and grip that you get with this intermediate board.

I have access to a good beach for skimming, with minimal rocks, and waves comparable to those of Laguna beach, and am sure I can get the hang of the sport and progress in skill quickly ( already able to skim and sideslip on my wooden board for around 10 metres comfortably), so am considering buying either a fibreglass board and the extra padding necessary, or a foam top board.

What do you guys recommend, and is the gap in performance between the foam top boards and the fibreglass boards really noticable in terms of floatability, speed, distance reached etc.


r/skimboarding 11d ago

Epic backside liners in Santa Cruz! - Sessions Ep.5

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15 Upvotes

r/skimboarding 10d ago

Weird cracking

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2 Upvotes

Hi all,

This is a relatively new Vic ultra house special, does this need to be fixed or is it just cosmetic? If it needs to be fixed, what should I use to do so?


r/skimboarding 11d ago

Is is easy to lose your skimboard?

5 Upvotes

I'm a beginner mostly skimming small waves, and I'm worried about losing my board.


r/skimboarding 11d ago

Question New and heading to Crystal Cove today. Any tips on where to buy?

2 Upvotes

Sudden impulse buy and super last minute ask, I know but I also don’t want to overspend. I heard $100 is the minimum way and my budget is around $150 after taxes. Hoping I can get a decent board for flat and waves, and with foam so I don’t need to wax.

The $50 boards on Amazon are sus, and I wish I picked up the board from Pismo.


r/skimboarding 11d ago

Question Zap Wedge 49''

2 Upvotes

Hey, I found a deal for a zap wedge 49'' for 150€. I really miss skimboarding and i am a bit experienced, i have never caught many waves since i have never had a high float board. i am 72 Kgs, will i be able to have some proper fun and some floatability in a zap wedge 49''? or not at all?


r/skimboarding 11d ago

Watch the Live Scoring at the Flagler Beach Bash

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3 Upvotes

We may not have a stream at Flagler but we do now have live scoring so be sure to check it out on premierskim.com

Live Stream coming in 2027