Best Skim Boards for Beginners

Features:	DB Skimboards – Proto Plank	SBBC Skimboards – Skipper	BPS Skimboards – New Zealand Gator	BINDY Australia Skimboard	Driftsun – Fiberglass Skimboard	Sandfish Board Co. – Traction Cruiser
Review	Overall Best	Best Bargain	Best for Beginners	Most Handy	Best Versatility	Best for Stability
Rider Capacity	165 lbs.	150 lbs.	150 lbs.	100 lbs.	130 lbs.	175 lbs.
Weight	5.32 lbs.	5 lbs.	4.6 lbs.	6.1 lbs.	2.3 lbs.	5.8 lbs.
Board Length	41.1”	41”	40”	41”	44”	40”
Board Width	19.5”	17”	19.3”	19.8”	19.5”	18.75”
Thickness	1”	0.5”	0.5”	0.75”	0.75”	0.5”
Material	3 Ply Poplar Core, HPL top/bottom sheets	Epoxy coated Plywood core, slick resin marine grade wood	Epoxy coated plywood core	Epoxy coated plywood core	PVC Core, fiberglass shell with carbon fiber nose/tail.	3 Ply Poplar Core, HPL top/bottom sheets
Reviews	4.5	4.4	4.5	4.0	4.4	4.2
Check Latest Price	Here	Here	Here	Here	Here	Here

Introduction

There are several skim boards, depending on the type of material, size, and shape for beginners and pro skimmers. However, some of the best skim boards for 2023 that you should consider are summarized in the table above.

A skim board, also known as skimming, is a flat board used for gliding across the surface of the water.  Skim boarding is typically performed in shallow water near the shore, where the rider drops the board onto the water and uses momentum to glide across the surface.  This is a fast-paced and thrilling water sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and is often performed in a recreational setting or even in a competitive environment. 

Some of the best inflatable skim boards of 2023 we will consider include:

• DB Skimboards’ Proto Plank
• South Bay Board Co.’s Skipper
• BPS Skimboards’ New Zealand Gator
• BINDY Australia’s Skim board
• Driftsun’s Fiberglass Skim board
• Sandfish Board Co.’s Traction Cruiser

#1. DB Skimboards’ Proto Plank [Overall Best]

DB Skimboards was founded in 2003 inspired by the Northwestern region of the United States’ beaches, concrete, and snow.  They originally manufactured flatland skim boards and long board skateboards before expanding into the company they are now.  DB actually stands for their original birth place in Dash Point, Washington. 

DB Skimboards is still based out of the Northwest where they use a variety of methods, such as 3D printing, for creating some of the best Skimboards around.  They focus on using premium materials for all of the boards they make while ensuring their decks create zero waste in their production.

The Proto Plank’s bases are made of High Pressure Laminate (“HPL”) providing a great surface for flatland skim boarders.  This board will slide fast over sand, PVC, or whatever you will be skimming over. On top of that, this material stands up well against sand, rocks, shells, and all the other elements that will eat away at your board over time.  Another key differentiating aspect to the Proto Plank is their 3D rocker.  This 3D rocker allows the board to rock in all directions, from nose to tail, or side to side.  This allows your board to spin freely on the water without digging into the ground.        

DB Skimboards’ Proto Plank comes in 3 sizes: small (39.4”), medium (41.125”), and large (43.4”).

Features and Specs

• Rider capacity: 165 lbs.
• Weight: 5.32 lbs.
• Length: 41.125 inches
• Width: 19.5 inches
• Thickness: 1 inch
• Material: 100% North American Poplar core and HPL top and bottom sheets

Pros	Cons
Made is USA in Washington State	Does not come with foam traction top, so make sure to buy traction foam or surf wax to get some grip.
Flexible board, DB Skimboards give it a 6/10 on stiffness.
Board has a 3D rocker which allows your board to spin freely in all directions without catching an edge.
90 day warranty for customers within the USA.

#2. South Bay Board Co.’s Skipper [Best Bargain]

South Bay Board Co. is a family owned and operated board and beach company.  They started originally with beginner surfboards and inflatable paddle boards, before turning into the company they are today.  Now they operate out of five physical warehouse locations with their headquarters being in Garden Grove, California.  Their other locations are in Connecticut, North Carolina, Florida, and Utah.  On top of that, South Bay Board Co. ships internationally in Canada, Mexico, UAE, and Brazil with more countries coming.

This board is custom designed in a tear drop shape.  It is the narrowest board of those we’ve highlighted here, is light and rides smooth.  The board supports riders up to 150 pounds and is great for beginners who want a board that is less blocky and difficult to maneuver than others on the market.  This board is easier to carry when you’re heading out to skim and comes with fingerprint texture foam on the top, removing the need to use wax on your board for traction.  

The board comes in two sizes: 36 inches and 41 inches.  The boards are available in multiple color options: Black, Blue, Aqua, and White.

Features and Specs

• Rider Capacity: 150 lbs.
• Weight: 5 lbs.
• Board Length: 41”
• Board Width: 17 inches
• Thickness: 0.5”
• Material: Epoxy coated Plywood core, slick resin marine grade wood

Pros	Cons
Fingerprint texture foam eliminating the need to use wax for traction.	Some boards the grip may start to peel; however, using some gorilla glue on it should fix the issue.
Custom tear drop shape	Some have had issues with defects on delivery, but South Bay Board Co.’s customer service is helpful and fixes whatever is wrong.
Narrow and lightweight board gives a smooth skim
Multiple color options to choose from: aqua, blue, white, and black.
Great for kids all skill levels, but best for beginners.

#3. BPS Skimboards’ New Zealand Gator [Best for Beginners]

BPS stands for Barrel Point Surf and they’ve been around for over 30 years based in New Zealand.  They sell skim boards, bodyboards, SUP gear, surfboards, diving gear, and more.  They have a reputation for great sales service and their money back guarantee.  All BPS products come with a full 12-month guarantee once you’ve purchased a product from them.  If you’re not 100% satisfied, they will replace or refund what you’ve ordered. 

This board is one of their best-selling products. It comes with a built-in traction pad, removing the need for applying wax for gripping.  It has a nose rocker helping give the board some lift so you don’t end up digging the board straight into the ground when you throw it.  On purchasing this board, it comes with an e-guide filled with instructions and helpful photos to help get you started.  This company and board together help create a great experience for a beginner looking to skim.

The board comes in three sizes: 30, 35, and 40 inches.  The boards are available in five different color options: Blue, Dark Blue, Fluorescent Blue, Green, and Orange.

Features and specs

• Rider Capacity: 150 lbs.
• Weight: 4.6 lbs.
• Length: 40 inches
• Width: 19.3 inches.
• Thickness: 0.5 inches.
• Material: Epoxy coated plywood core with gator grip layer of EVA foam

Pros	Cons
Has a nose rocker on the board to give it more maneuverability.	Sometimes can come apart after heavy extended use.
Built-in traction pad eliminating the need to wax the board.
Comes in three sizes and multiple colors.
Comes with BPS guarantee where if you’re not 100% satisfied, they will replace or refund the product.
Comes with an e-guide filled with instructions and useful photos to help you get up to speed quickly.

 #4. BINDY Australia’s Skim board [Most Handy]

Bindy Australia is a company based in Australia focused on building durable, high quality skim boards.  They are pride themselves on their philosophy to get off of social media and enjoy the outdoors, and believe skim boarding is the best place to start doing just that. 

Bindy Australia’s skim boards are unique in that they come with a bag you can strap over your shoulder to carry your skim board, sunscreen, and a towel.  If you haven’t had to lug a skim board all the way out to where you’re going AND back, you don’t know the struggle.  Carrying skim boards can be difficult because their shape is awkward.  There isn’t a great grip for carrying them and you can’t necessarily fit them under your arm.  Having a bag to stow them in is a nice touch.

The board comes with EVA grip traction pads meaning you don’t have to worry about adding wax.  When ordering the board, it comes with customer care and warranty for one year. 

The board comes in one size at 41 inches and is available in four color options: Black, Blue, Green, and Pink.

Features and specs

• Rider capacity:  100 lbs.
• Weight: 6.1 lbs.
• Length: 41”
• Width: 19.8 inches.
• Thickness: 0.75”
• Materials: Plywood core

Pros	Cons
Comes with a bag for your board that you can carry over your shoulder and fit a towel and sunscreen with you.	The carry bag is prone to breaking, particularly the zipper to it, so be cautious when zipping.
Built-in traction pads with EVA grip on top which eliminates the need to wax the board.	Doesn’t have a specific rocker on the board, so it will catch in the sand more often than other boards.
Comes with a customer care and warranty for one year.

#5. Driftsun’s Fiberglass Skimboard [Best Versatility]

Driftsun was founded in 2014 in Northern California by like-minded individuals with a passion for water sports and the outdoors.  They produce a wide range of products from Kayaks, Paddle boards, wake surf, body boards, to skim boards. 

This board is different from the others we’ve listed here in that it can be used for both flatland skimming but also wave skim boarding.  The board is the lightest of all of them, weighing 2.3 pounds.  Not only that, it is also made up of the best materials.  The shell is fiberglass with carbon fiber reinforcement on the nose and tail of the board. 

It comes with a traction pad already on it removing the need for adding wax for grip.  But this traction pad differs from the others in that there is a center arch bar running down the middle of the board and a raised rear pad.  The rocker is 2.25 inches.  While this board hands down is a stand out in materials, it is also slightly more expensive.  If you’re interested in the board, but want to stick with a wooden skim board from the same company, they have the Driftsun Performance Wood Skim Board.

The board is available in only one color, but it comes in three sizes: 44, 48, and 52 inches.

Features and Specs

• Rider capacity: 130 lbs.
• Board Weight: 2.3 lbs.
• Length: 44 inches
• Width: 19.5 inches
• Thickness: 0.75”
• Material: PVC Core, Fiberglass shell, with carbon fiber reinforced nose & tail.

Pros	Cons
Fiberglass shell with carbon fiber reinforced nose & tail.	More expensive.
Comes with a pro traction pad preinstalled. This is a rear pad with a raised center arch and tail kick.	It is not set up for fins.
Comes with a nose rocker that gives a 2.25 inch lift.	The gel coat on the top chips after heavy use.
Great for skimming on the beach and riding waves.
Comes with a no-questions-asked one year warranty.

#6. Sandfish Board Co.’s Traction Cruiser [Best for Stability]

Sandfish Board Co. is actually a part of DB Skimboards, that we mentioned earlier when discussing their Proto Plank skim board.  This Sandfish line is made for long rides, speed, and maneuverability.  Sandfish skim boards are made from durable HPL bases and high quality hardwood.  They currently offer Traction Cruisers and Grom Cruisers, both are great options.

The Traction Cruiser is 0.1 inches concave and comes with a soft grippy foam top.  Like DB Skimboards’ Proto Plank, this board is made in the USA as well.  The board is great for beginners learning to do tricks.  The board is wide and sturdy which gives it a smooth ride and makes the rider feel secure when attempting tricks. 

The board is only available in one color, but its available in three sizes: 35, 40, and 45 inches.

Features and Specs

• Rider capacity: 175 lbs.
• Weight:  5.8 lbs.
• Length: 40”
• Width: 18.75 inches
• Thickness: 0.5”
• Material: 3 Ply Poplar Core, HPL top/bottom sheets

Pros	Cons
Slight rocker, 0.1 inches concave.	Board sometimes arrives with chips, but working with Sandfish Board Co. to fix the issue is a seamless process.
30-day manufacturer’s warranty.
Made in the USA.
Comes soft and grippy foam on top eliminating the need for waxing.
Great for beginner tricks on flatland skim boarding.

Conclusion

Before choosing a suitable skim board, you need to consider how you will use it, the fit with your body, and its use. Hence, the shape, rider capacity, length, width, thickness, and price of the board are factors you need to consider when buying your skim board.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size skim board should I get?

The rule of thumb in determining what size skim board you should get, is when resting your skim board on the ground in front of you, it should hit your chest.  Some skim board companies will give recommended size information with the skim board.

What do I need to skim board?

You need some form of grip to skim board, whether that is a traction pad on the board or from wax being applied.  On top of that, it is important to wear waterproof clothing.  For a more complete list of what you need to start skim boarding, we’ve covered it in more detail. 

What is the difference between flatland and wave skim boarding?

Flatland skim boarding is where you skim along shallow water whereas wave skim boarding, you skim out towards the waves and carve them.  We recommend starting with flatland first if you’re new to skim boarding.  Flatland skim boards tend to be heavier and sturdier whereas wave skim boards will be lighter and more flexible.

Where can I skim board?

The best places to flatland skim board are flat, are clear of obstacles with have room to maneuver, and have smooth but firm ground to skim on.  For wave skimming, you want a moderate incline leading into the water to gain speed as you skim into the waves.  We’ve written about all the best places to skim board for you!

When is the best time to skim board?

The best time to skim board is during the summer when the weather is warm and you won’t be chilly if you fall off into the water.  However, the great thing about skim boarding is that you can do it year-round.  Just make sure that you have waterproof clothing if you’re going in the off season!