Get in shape.
Skim boarding is a good exercise you can do while having fun.
There’s no better exercise than doing one that enjoy!
Skim boarding improves your sense of balance.
By learning how to launch and stay on your board, you will gain a greater sense of balance.
It is a good workout in terms of cardio.
You have to be in shape to go skim boarding and ironically going skim boarding helps you stay in shape with the amount of running that is involved with it.
It is accessible.
You can skim board regardless of the weather conditions.
Skim boarding is one of the few water sports you can do where you’re not dependent on mother nature.
You can skim board in lakes, rivers, or even on tarps.
You don’t need to be right by a beach to skim board. In fact, a lot of the hardcore skim boarders will practice on tarp with railings and ramps set up.
It is easy to pack and travel with.
At the largest size, skim boards are close to 5 feet in height and less than 2 feet in width. There are four standard sizes for thickness, all of which are less than an inch thick.
Get outdoors.
Being outdoors reduces stress, cortisol levels, muscle tension, and heart rates.
It’s well-known that being outdoors is good for you. Below are a couple of specific benefits from getting outdoors that you may have not been aware of
According to the US Department of Agriculture, studies show that being outside in nature is relaxing, reduces stress, cortisol levels, muscle tension, and heart rates – all of which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
A good warm up to learning how to surf/wake board.
Helps develop a better feel for the water.
Helps develop a better sense of reading the surf, how waves break down, and identifying the right waves to catch.
Catching waves on a skim board can prepare you for surfing.
This is for the more advanced skim boarder who chooses to skim out into the surf to ride into the waves.
Skim boarding can be your off-season board of choice when you’re not snowboarding.
Skim boarders share similar interests with snowboarders and skateboarders. In fact, in the 1990s, many of the more advanced tricks were borrowed from these sports originally.
It is growing in popularity.
Skim boarding is growing more across the global now.
It is still mostly popular in North America and Europe, but is growing within Africa and Asia.
There are multiple competitions around the world every year now.
Some examples are The VIC (named after Victoria Skimboards, one of the leading companies for skim boards) Zap Pro-Am World Championships of Skimboarding, and The United Skim Tour.
Anyone can do it – it is quick to learn.
You can be gliding on a skim board in your first day of trying it.
They’re affordable.
Paddle boards: From $200 on the cheaper end to $2,000 on the more expensive end.
Boogie boards: $30-$200. From $30 on the cheaper end to $200 on the more expensive end.
Skim boards: $50-$300. From $50 on the cheaper end to $300 on the more expensive end.
Flatland skim boards: $50-$100. These boards are cheaper than that of wave skim boards. They are typically made of wood and are flat.
Wave skim boards: $150-$300. These boards are for the more advanced skim boarder looking to go directly into the surf. They are typically curved boards and are foam material.
Surfboards: $250-$1,200. From $250 on the cheaper end to $1,200 on the more expensive end.
Kayaks: $200-$3,000. From $200 on the cheaper end to $3,000 on the more expensive end. Sea kayaks are more expensive and can range between $1,000 – $3,000.
Sea kayaks are more expensive and can range between $1,000 – $3,000.
