At first glance, surfing looks pretty sick, which is why almost everyone who sees it wants to go at it right away. However, surfing is definitely not as easy as it looks. You need patience, passion and a significant effort from your whole body. Plus, you need to be good on your balance.
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The Best Balance Boards for Surfing: The Top Picks
A balance board is an effective way to improve your surfing skills, especially the balancing part. Without the need for water to practice, you can still enhance your skills with this kind of board. If you’re looking for the best balance boards for surfing, you can never go wrong with these:
- 4th Bee Core Balance Board for Surf
- Ebb and Flo Goofboard Surfing Balance Board
- Vew-Do Surf 33 Balance Board
- Nalanda Wooden Balance Trainer with Roller Stability
- URBNFitBalance Board Trainer – Roller Board Trainer
- Indo Board Pro Balance Board for Surfers
- Vew-Do WODFitters El Dorado Balance Board
#1. 4th Bee Core Balance Board for Surf – Best Balance Board for Shortboards
Specifications:
- Deck Length: 29.5 inches
- Roller Length: 13 inches
- Profile: Multi-functional Balance Board for shortboards
- Designed for: Surfers, Skiers, and Skateboarders
The Core Balance Board for Surf by 4Th Bee is one of the best balancing boards because of its versatility. Aside from surfing, you can also use it to practice your balancing for skiing and skateboarding. Another excellent thing about it is that it’s portable, where it’s easy to carry anywhere you go. Plus, it’s a competent trainer in enhancing the balance and coordination of your body.
The Core Balance Board for Surf’s deck has ideal size for any level, whether you’re a beginner or a novice. The Deck measures 29.5 inches by length, 10.5 inches by width, and 4 inches by thickness. As for the roller, the diameter measures 4 inches, while the length measures 13 inches. Furthermore, it can carry a weight capacity of 500 pounds.
The deck of the Core Balance Board for Surf is cold-pressed, which uses 10-ply maple material. As for the roller, it comes from an excellent quality and high-density cork, which will prevent it from scraping the floor. It’s guaranteed durable, and it features a rubber-plastic surface for an anti-slip advantage. Moreover, it has built-in stop plates on both sides to decrease the risk of slippage.
The Core Balance Board is very sturdy, especially the roller. Plus, they love how it works out their core and leg muscles.
All in all, the Core Balance Board for Surf is one of the most recommended balance boards when it comes to aspiring surfers because it’s stable as you use it. It’s easy to control, even on barefoot use. Furthermore, this balance board has stop plates to stop possible slippage.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Has stop plates to prevent slippage | Can sometimes sway aggressively without proper balancing |
| Has another available colors |
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| Doesn’t scratch the floor |
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| Ideal for barefoot use | |
#2. Ebb and Flo Goofboard Surfing Balance Board – Best Balance Board for Longboards
Specifications:
- Deck Length: 44 inches
- Roller Length: 37 inches
- Profile: Multi-functional Balance Board for Longboards and Paddleboards
- Designed for: Surfers, Skateboarders, and Yoga
If you’re frequently using a longboard, the Goofboard Surfing Balance Board is the most suggested balance board to buy. It measures 44 inches by length, 15 inches by width, and 4.5 inches by thickness, which is not far from the size of actual longboard surfboards. As for the roller, the length measures 37 inches, while the thickness measures 4 inches. Moreover, it can hold up to 450 pounds.
The Goofboard Surfing Balance Board comes with patented flo-blocks, which is a dynamic tool to practice yoga balancing pose and pop-ups, as well as stability. It makes this balance board an excellent way to strengthen leg and ankle, as well as paddling balance. Furthermore, it has excellent style fluidity.
The deck of the Goofboard Surfing Balance Board comes from a premium-quality of birch plywood material, which assures its sturdiness despite frequent usage. The roller comes from a premium-quality of recycled cork. Hence, this balance board is eco-friendly as it doesn’t use any plastic. Furthermore, it’s available in different styles, which include Palm, Tangerine, and Lagoon.
People love the Goofboard Surfing Balance Board because it’s versatile, where not only surfers can use it, but also skateboards and people who do yoga. They also appreciate it because it’s useful for working out. Furthermore, they love it as it’s an excellent training for strengthening the knees.
The Goofboard Surfing Balance Board is the suggested balance board for surfers who frequently use longboard while surfing. The size is ideal, which can effectively train you for balance. Also, it uses eco-friendly materials, from the deck to the roller. Furthermore, the flo-block accessory provides a rocking motion for an alternative way of exercising balancing.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Effective for strengthening knees | Has no stop plates to prevent slippage |
| Has different styles available |
|
| Uses eco-friendly materials |
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| Therapeutic | |
#3. Vew-Do Surf 33 Balance Board – Best Overall Balance Board for surfers
Specifications:
- Deck Length: 33 inches
- Roller Length: 9 5/16 inches
- Profile: Multi-functional Balance Board
- Designed for: Surfers, Skateboarders, Stand-up Paddlers, Snowboarders, Wakeboarders
The Surf 33 Balance Board is designed for surfers, which is a useful training tool, whether on big or small waves. It features a rail design, unique channel, and oversized rock, which lets surfers rotate the balance board with control. Furthermore, it’s versatile as it’s not only useful for surfers, but for skateboards, snowboarders, stand-up paddlers, and many more.
The Surf 33 Balance Board uses quality materials, which guarantees durability despite daily usage. The deck comes from a premium-quality of 5-ply maple material with a laminated wood rail. The roller comes from a hand-turned maple material as well. Moreover, the deck comes with a 5-millimeter EVA foam, which makes it very comfy even for barefoot riding.
People love using the Surf 33 Balance Board because it’s versatile, where they can use it to practice balancing for surfing, skateboarding, or snowboarding. They also love its foamy top, which adds comfort, primarily when they use it with barefoot. Moreover, they find this balance board useful to practice balancing.
The Surf 33 Balance Board is one of the most suggested balance boards for anyone who’s riding boards, especially for surfing, because of sturdiness. It uses high-quality materials, which guarantees the longevity of the item regardless of frequent usage. Moreover, this balance board is comfortable to use, especially when barefoot.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Ideal size for beginners and pros | Has no other colors or styles available |
| Useful training tool for balancing |
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| Comfy top for barefoot usage |
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| Enhances balance instincts |
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| Ideal for kids | |
#4. Nalanda Wooden Balance Trainer with Roller Stability – Best Balance Board for Stability
Specifications:
- Deck Length: 29.1 inches
- Roller Length: 17.5 inches
- Profile: Multi-functional Balance Board
- Designed for: Surfers, Yoga, and Skateboarders
The Wooden Balance Trainer with Roller Stability features solid construction from deck to roller. The deck comes from a premium-quality of PVC material, which makes it very durable. It’s also non-slip, and it has the ideal size, which is 29.1 inches long, 11.8 inches wide, and 1.8 inches thick. As for the roller, it doesn’t disappoint when it comes to stability.
The Wooden Balance Trainer with Roller Stability is versatile as skateboards, or people who do yoga can use it to practice balancing as well, aside from surfers. It’s easy to use, which makes it ideal for beginners. Also, it’s useful in improving agility and strength.
The Wooden Balance Trainer with Roller Stability is available in two colors, where you can choose between blue and black or yellow. It comes with two adjustable stoppers underneath for further flexibility, and it has a non-slip surface. Moreover, it’s portable for easy carrying.
People who bought the Wooden Balance Trainer with Roller Stability admire this balance board as they can adjust the difficulty for rigid training. They also appreciate it for its sturdiness. Furthermore, it’s versatile that they can also use it for snowboarding preparation.
The Wooden Balance Trainer with Roller Stability will not disappoint when it comes to stability and sturdiness. Since it comes with two stoppers, there’s a lower risk for slippage. Furthermore, it has the right size for either beginners or professional surfers.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Sufficient for agility and stability | Roller is not too big enough for some users |
| Uses high-quality PVC material |
|
| Has other available colors | |
| Has adjustable stoppers |
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| Has non-slip surface |
|
#5. URBN Fit Balance Board Trainer – Best Balance Board for Core Strength
Specifications:
- Deck Length: 26 inches
- Profile: Multi-functional Balance Board
- Designed for: Surfers, Skateboarders, Stand-up Paddlers, Snowboarders, Wakeboarders
The Balance Board Trainer – Roller Board Trainer is one of the most versatile balance boards. It’s not only excellent for surfers, but also other sports, such as paddle boarding, skiing, or wakeboarding. Also, this balance board is used for team sports, like football, soccer, basketball, and MMA. Moreover, it doesn’t only enhance your balancing skills. It also strengthens your abs, core, and legs, as well as toning these.
The deck of the Balance Board Trainer – Roller Board Trainer measures 26 inches, which is ideal for novice, intermediate, or professionals. It comes from an excellent quality of hardwood material, with non-slip emery grip tape. As for the roller, it comes from a premium-quality of PVC material, with soft fabric.
The Balance Board Trainer – Roller Board Trainer has a vibration dampening feature, along with roller stops to prevent any slippage as you use it. Moreover, this balance board comes with a free workout guide, which is also suitable for mobile devices.
The Balance Board Trainer – Roller Board Trainer is loved by customers because it’s suitable for various sports. They also admire how durable it is, and how they can ride it barefoot because of the grip tapes. Furthermore, they love the stoppers because these prevent it from sliding out the roller.
If you’re not only practicing balance for surfing the Balance Board Trainer – Roller Board Trainer is the most recommended balance board because it’s also ideal for other sports, such as basketball, skiing, paddle boarding, and soccer. It uses high-quality materials that don’t disappoint. Moreover, it comes with two adjustable stoppers for safety purposes.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Can adjust the difficulty of the balance board | Has no other colors available |
| Useful workout tool for legs, abs, and core |
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| Has two adjustable stoppers |
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| Has grip tape | |
#6. Indo Board Pro Balance Board for Surfers – Best Overall Balance Board for Pros
Specifications:
- Deck Length: 42 inches
- Roller Length: 10.5 inches
- Profile: Multi-functional Balance Board
- Designed for: Surfers, Team Sport Players
The Pro Balance Board for Surfers is a suggested balance board to aspiring surfers because of its sturdiness and fluidity. The deck comes from a premium-quality and cabinet-grade Baltic birch material, while the roller comes from an excellent quality of plastic with Gigante cushion. Moreover, it comes with a two-sided exercise poster and an instructional DVD.
The Pro Balance Board for Surfers is a competent trainer for enhancing the agility, neuromuscular response, and core strength, which is very important in surfing. Aside from surfing, it’s also useful when you’re taking for team sports or MMA. Furthermore, it’s a way to de-stress as well.
The Pro Balance Board for Surfers is available in two styles, which are Surf Classic and Natural. It’s endorsed by National, World, and Olympic champions. Also, it’s easy to use.
People love using the Pro Balance Board for Surfers because of its exceptional quality and sturdiness. They also admire how it’s easy to control while balancing. Moreover, they admire its oversized roller and board.
The Pro Balance Board for Surfers is the best balance board to buy when it comes to rigid balancing and core strengthening workouts. It’s very multipurpose that it’s not only limited to surfers. Moreover, it uses quality materials, which assure its sturdiness even if you use it for how many times daily.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Useful training tool for core strengthening | Some dislike its oversized roller |
| Has other styles available |
|
| Has built-in stoppers | |
| Ideal size for pros |
|
#7. Vew-Do WODFitters El Dorado Balance Board – Meekest yet Effective Balance Board
Specifications:
- Deck Width: 8.5 inches
- Roller Diameter: 4 inches
- Profile: Multi-functional Balance Board
- Designed for: Surfers, and Skateboarders
The WODFitters El Dorado Balance Board may look meek, yet this balance board is a competent trainer when it comes to improving the balance. The deck comes from a premium-quality of wood material, and it has a grip tape surface on the whole board. It features an increased tail and nose length, which makes it more challenging to riders. Furthermore, the roller comes from an excellent quality of wood material, which guarantees sturdiness. Also, the diameter of the roller measures 4 inches.
The WODFitters El Dorado Balance Board features an exceptional toe-to-heel rotation without compromised stability. Also, surfers can enhance their agility further with the help of this balance board. On the other hand, it doesn’t have different colors available aside from red.
People love the WODFitters El Dorado Balance Board because of its ability to rotate from left to right, unlike other balance boards. They also appreciate its proper shape, which helps in their workouts. Furthermore, it’s easy to carry and store.
The WODFitters El Dorado Balance Board may not look as grand as other balance boards, yet it’s very reliable when it comes to sturdiness and effectiveness. It’s easy to use, which makes it ideal for the novice, especially to kids. Also, it’s easy to rotate from left to right.
These are some of the most recommended balance boards for surfing. Since balance is a crucial factor when it comes to surfing, these boards will undoubtedly help you enhance your skills.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Useful workout tool for agility | Has no other colors available |
| Has built-in stoppers | |
| Easy to rotate |
|
| Easy to use |
|
Some Reasons Why People Can’t Get Enough of Surfing
Riding a surfboard on big waves can undoubtedly make you look cool. It’s one of the reasons why people surf, whether it’s summer or not. They even enjoy it when they have a photographer-buddy who’ll capture some snaps while they’re surfing. In other words, surfing photos can make your feed more attractive to others, as well as you. The benefits of surfing don’t stop there. Here are other good reasons why this sport advantageous:
- Surfing can make your back and shoulder muscles stronger – Padding is what you’ll frequently do when you’re on the surfboard. When you’re surfing, it’s as good as working out your shoulder and back muscles. It’s an effective alternative way of lifting heavy barbells in the gym because your body’s weight is what you need to carry during padding.
- Surfing is a productive workout activity for your leg and core – This water activity can enhance your leg and core strength. If padding is working out your shoulder and back part, standing up and balancing is what exercises the core and legs. Standing up might look easy, yet it needs a strong core to balance your body weight on the board. The best thing about it is that it can tone your muscles effectively as you frequently do it.
- Surfing is one of the best keys to having excellent cardiovascular fitness – Padding is also one of the main reason why surfers have functional cardiovascular fitness. Since most of the time you paddle, you’re being exercised, and it’s as good as doing cardio exercises.
- Surfing can reconnect you with nature in a fun way – Staying in the city can be toxic, especially if you love nature. Aside from hiking, surfing is another way to reconnect with nature in a more fun way. Riding with waves is a way to spend time with the environment. Moreover, you become more conscious about keeping it clean, especially the ocean, since you’re surfing there.
- Surfing is an excellent stress reliever – Lack of time with the natural environment can lead to massive stress and tension that beers can’t suffice. On the other hand, surfing is the best remedy for easing stress because riding waves, especially big waves, provides a happy-feeling to the one who’s surfing. More people are coming from the city use surfing as their outlet for de-stressing.
Tips for Aspiring Surfers: Knowing the Diet Rules
As you become more interested in surfing, you have to know more than just riding the waves. Skills are crucial, but there are also other factors that you have to consider. One of those vital things that you need to learn is keeping a healthy diet, especially the food of surfers.
Here are some tips for you to consider:
- Eat enough protein – Aim at least 1 gram per pound of lean bodyweight. If you’re weighing at 190 pounds with a body fat of 12%, your mass is around 168 pounds. Hence, you need 168 grams daily.
- Always hydrate – You’ll never get away from water, even on your diet. It’s important to drink around 4 liters of water daily.
- Eat salad daily – It’s also important to eat vegetables in every meal.
- Reduce refined carbohydrates – If you want a leaner body because you want to be a surfer, you have limit eating carbs, such as crackers, cookies, sweets, or bread. It’s best to consume these after your intense workout or surf session.
- Consider fish oil as supplements – Manage to consume about 2 to 3 grams of high-quality fish oil every day.
If you’re yearning to improve your surfing skills, you have to commit to the surfing diet rules for more effectiveness.
When you’re all set with your surfer diet, the next thing you need to focus more is enhancing your skills. Before you can ride a surfboard smoothly, whether it’s big or small waves, you need to execute exceptional balancing skills. Even small waves can flip you off your surfboard quickly without keeping an excellent balance. To improve your balancing skills, you’ll need a balance board for surfing.
Some Further Tips on How to Improve your Balance for Surfing
Using the balance board may not be enough when it comes to balancing. These boards may help you get used to balancing your body weight, yet there are still other things that you need to consider to improve your balance and ride the waves stronger. Here are some tips for you to consider:
- Try balancing with your eyes shut – You may think it’s a risky move, yet hutting your eyes can effectively improve your balancing skills. You’ll have to practice more on balance boards before you can give this step a try. Once you got used to it, you can start closing your eyes. If you’re too scared to do it, you can try it on a staircase. Let your heels hang, while your toes are firmly standing.
- Try walking on a tight rope – You may see this move on circuses, and you’ll get the thought that it’s impossible to do it. If you want to take your balancing skills to a higher level, you can give this one a try. All you need to do is to tie a rope, about 6 to 12 inches off the ground. Then, step on the rope, and focus on putting your foot in front of your other.
- Balance on one foot and bend at the waist – If you’re looking for a more straightforward way to practice optimum balancing, you can try this move. Make sure your spine is straight, then bend your knee while balancing on one foot. Your arms should hang down, and you have to keep your knees bent. You can even close your eyes as you do it.
- Stand on one foot, and then play catch – If you’re looking for a fun activity, this move is advisable. You need to stand in one foot while tossing an object back and forth to your partner. If you want to make it more challenging, use a heavier object, like a 5-pound medicine ball.
- Skating – If you’re a skater, you’ll have no difficulty in improving your balancing skills. It’s as good as surfing on land. It’s useful because you’re moving faster when you’re skating on the ground. Also, sliding can improve your skills further, as if you’re moving along with the waves.
Improving the Surfing Skills: Benefits of Keeping a Balance Board
Balance boards are the best alternatives for surfboards. You can practice balancing on surfboards without water, and you can’t always practice on water, especially if you’re in the city. The best thing about balance boards is that you don’t need any water to practice your balance. Hence, it makes these boards an effective way to practice balancing.
Aside from improving your balance, here are some other benefits of balance boards:
- Balance boards can strengthen and stretch your synergistic muscles to avoid injuries.
- Balance boards enhance core strength.
- Balance boards copy surf-style weight supply.
- Balance boards strengthen the legs for more surfing drive.
- Balance boards can work effectively despite limited space.
- Balance boards help in enhancing envisioning turns.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions):
Q: What are the benefits of balance boards?
Q: What are the best balance boards for surfing?
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- How to Improve Your Surf Balance
- Epoxy vs Fiberglass Surfboards
- Repairing a Surfboard
- Removing Wax from a Surfboard
- Haydenshapes Hypto Krypto
Torsten Bird is a talented and adventurous waterman from Western Australia, passionate about surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, hydrofoiling, skimboarding, snowboarding and skateboarding. Torsten has spent countless hours mastering his skills and his dream is to one day represent Australia as an Olympic athlete. Follow Torsten’s adventures on Instagram.
