Buy a board that suits your style of riding. If you dropknee, then get a board with a narrower nose and wide-point further down the board. If you ride mainly prone, then look for something a bit wider in the shoulder region. Rounder boards are looser but go slower. Straight boards are less maneuverable but are faster. 60/40 or 70/30 rails hold in better on big bottom turns but 50/50 rails give you trim lines higher up in the face. If you have channels then deeper the channel, the better you turn and track but the less spin ability. The flatter the rocker [the view of the board sideways] the faster you will go but if it is too flat then you will nosedive. Too much rocker will make the board go like a piece of turd and it is probably due to sitting in a store for ages and being bent over time.

If you surf smaller sized waves, then you will do better if you have a thicker than normal board. A rounder template will also help. If you surf larger waves, then a straighter, thinner board will help you in the larger powerful waves.

What Size is best for me?

Rider's weight is key in determining the right size. You want aboard that has good flotation for speed and catching waves. By using the following chart you'll know what length is best for your weight.

Length	Weight
38"	65-85 lbs.	30-40 kgs.
39"	85-115 lbs.	40-52 kgs.
40"	110-130 lbs.	50-60 kgs.
41"	125-155 lbs.	56-70 kgs.
42"	145-170 lbs.	65-77 kgs.
42.5"	160-190 lbs.	72-86 kgs.
43"	185-210 lbs.	84-95 kgs.
44"	210-235 lbs.	95-107 kgs.

A single inch in added length can make a big difference in the amount of additional weight a bodyboard will support. You want to get a board that will float you well enough to catch waves early, plane fast and not drag. If the board is too small it will push water and create drag, too big and you will ride too high on top of the water and it will be hard to control on the wave face. Another way to determine the proper length is to check and see if the length of the board is even with your belly button.

Style of riding is determined by the individual. Whether you ride prone, dropknee, stand-up or can do it all, it is important to have a board that is designed for your style. We have boards for prone or just dropknee. We also have combo boards made for riders who want to do both, which means the board works good riding prone or dropknee. There is also a board for those who want to stand-up but do not want to ride a hard surfboard.

Grab the board and scan it carefully, looking for mistakes like if the sides are straight or if the board is joined together properly etc.

Find out what the fancy bits are for from the counter-jockey before you buy. Some things only suit advanced riders.

Ask if you can trade in your old board.

Try to buy from the bigger name brands such as Morey, Rheopaipo, Manta, Toobs, Custom X, Ocean and Earth... These companies have a reputation for making good boards. Then again, don't buy the board that your hero rides just because he uses it. It may work great for him but may not work so well for you.