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Have you ever thought of making your own bodyboard? It's easier than you think. Shaping bodyboards requires patience and standard skills, but building a bodyboard for your own rides will save you money, too.
The main features in a bodyboard are: core material, tail shape, channels, concave, stringers, board shape, deck, rail and slick types. Contours, bumpers and nose bulbs are extra features that may not be used.
Are you ready to shape your first bodyboard? Follow this step-by-step guide into bodyboard making:
Drawing the Lines:
1. Select your favorite core material: Polyethylene (PE) is a classic flexible core that work great in cold-to-mild waters, while Polypropylene (PP) is a stiffer, light and durable core for warm waters
2. Use a rule to draw a central line, from top to bottom
3. Measure the length and the wide point
4. Place your favorite outline or curve over the plank
5. Select whether you're having a 50/50 (small surf, less drag and lighter riders) or a 60/40 (bigger waves, more control and heavier riders) rail configuration
5. Cut off the unwanted core to get the outside rail lines, at a straight 45 degrees angle
Cutting Edges:
6. Get a portable planer into the rails, so that you obtain the desired double edged rail
7. Apply a light sandpaper all around the board
8. Check if you've got clean rail lines, from nose to tail
9. Cut the nose curve into the board at 175 degrees
10. Mark the nose bulbs making sure the board is all even
Defining Performance:
11. Measure the center of the board and draw channel lines above the tail
12. Insert the nose bulbs
13. Apply the planer and sandpaper to the nose and channels until you get your favorite design
14. Lay the slick sheet (Surlyn or HDPE) over the board start heat lamination
15. Gently press the slick all along to eliminate air bubbles
16. Remove the unwanted slick with a razor or x-knife
17. Pass the planer along the rails to remove imperfections
18. Measure the board length to determine where you're going to cut the tail
19. Select your favorite tail design: bat tail, square bat tail, clipped crescent tail or full crescent tail
20. Draw the tail design over the board and cut it
21. Add 4mm nose and tail bumpers to protect from water, leash and knee impact
Final Heat Lamination:
22. Select a Polyethylene (PE) or Polypropylene (PP) deck sheet
23. Heat laminate the deck and remove unwanted material
24. Find the center of the board and insert the tube stringer through the tail of your board
25. Heat laminate the rails and seal the edges
You can shape your own bodyboard for less 130 dollars (95 euros), foam core materials and gear included. The following boards will be even cheaper.
The main tools for shaping a bodyboard are: two sheets of medium sandpaper, a X-Acto knife, a T-square, a industrial heat gun and a portable planer.
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