There’s nothing more exhilarating, more energizing, or more freeing than being out in the open water.
However the things we do when we aren’t in the water, can have a big impact and can improve our surfing.
One such example is something which you’ve surely heard about – the balance board.
A balance board is a flat board that can move on a roller, a cushion, or a ball.
When it comes to surfing, it is an essential piece of equipment that not only helps to improve your balance, but can help to train your core strength and build up muscle. It is useful for beginners and professional surfers alike.
So, let’s dive right into the best balance boards for surfers, to help you perfect your surfing experience!
Best Balance Boards for Surfing
Revbalance Swell 2.0
The Revbalance Swell 2.0 Board is an excellent one to start our list! It has a unique feature of the magnetic stop system, meaning beginners can easily learn to balance on this board with reduced fear of falling off.
But it’s not just a board for beginners! The Revbalance Swell 2.0 has the option to remove the magnetic stops, so advanced surfers can use it to their heart’s content, and those wishing to improve their balance can apply longer stops gradually — it truly is a long-term board.
You can have endless fun training on this board, and beyond that, any one of your family and friends can use it to test their balance skills — provided you’re all in a safe environment! A great feature of this board is despite its use of griptape, it’s non-scratch, meaning your floors will remain pristine!
The board itself is around 35.5″ X 14.5″, and the roller is 29.5″ X 4.5″. It can support up to 450 lbs.
Pros
- Jack of all trades — You can use the Revabalance Swell 2.0 Board for a variety of watersports – including surfing, paddleboarding, and kayaking.
- Comfort — The board comes complete with a traction surface, meaning you can practice balancing with bare feet.
- Versatility — This board works well on all kinds of floors – carpet, hardwood, even outdoors!
Cons
- Safety — You should always be careful on balance boards in case of injury, especially boards that can be used on harder surfaces.
Indo Board
Indo boards are the first type of balance boards to be developed as more than a toy; as serious training equipment. It was designed specifically for surfers, and is supposed to imitate the feeling of surfing when used.
They were initially designed to be for indoor, carpet use, but they can be used outdoors too. The best thing about these boards is that they are reliable.
Indo boards have been in the game for a long time, and are even endorsed by Olympic World Champions! Therefore, you know they are trustworthy and would be a good choice to practice your balance and build your core strength.
Find out – When Did Surfing Become an Olympic Sport?
But they’re not just a great training tool! The Indo Board company places a huge emphasis on having fun while on the board. This is super important when it comes to training with any board in general.
It can be a grueling, difficult workout sometimes. However, it is also supposed to be a fun, rewarding experience once you finally achieve the exercise you have been struggling with, or finally land that awesome wave.
The more fun you have, the more rewarding your experience on the board will be. You can trust a company that recognizes the fun of these boards, to create them with wonderful quality, so your training experience is the best it can be.
Another great feature of this Indo board is the included DVD instructions. With these, you don’t have to spend hours researching or deciphering a physical copy of instructions to learn how to use the board, you can simply get up and begin with the DVD as your guide. Practice made simple – and you don’t want much more than that!
The Indo board consists of a 30″ X 18″ deck and a 6.5″ roller. It will support up to 275 lbs.
Pros
- A Pop of Color — The Indo board comes in 9+ different colors, so you can find a board that suits you best.
- Extra Balance Options — This board comes with a roller, but you can use a flo-cushion for a safer training option.
- Riding the Waves — The board imitates the feelings of surfing, so it is an accurate representation of the level of balance required while in the ocean.
Cons
- Damage issues — Not recommended for use on wooden floors.
Yes4All Premium Surf Balance Board
The Yes4All Premium Surf Balance Board is a great all-rounder! Unlike some other boards on the list, you’re able to use it on wooden floors without the use of a yoga matt or a soft surface. This is because the roller has a TPE layer which allows it to slide easily, as well as absorbing tape on either end of the board to stop abrupt contact with the floor.
You can really use this board anywhere! From wooden floors, to carpet, to outside on the concrete.
And what’s more! This board also comes with removable stoppers, so you can build up a sense of balance and core strength at your own pace.
Additionally, the stoppers are adjustable, operating via four screws to rest at 11, 16, and 22 inches. So if you want a board that accommodates for various levels of skill, this one’s for you!
And if you’re still not convinced, the Yes4All Premium Surf Balance Board is so easy to set up! It doesn’t come with instructions, but it doesn’t need to! It is so simple you’ll feel as though you’ve been setting up balance boards all your life.
And then all that’s left to do is hop on, and work on the necessary skills to ride the waves you’ve always dreamt of. The ocean awaits!
This board can support up to 350 lbs. The item dimensions are 29.53 x 11.22 x 5.12″.
Pros
- Durasoft Grip —The board’s surface is made of an antiskid durasoft grip, which allows for better grip and smoothness. This means it is comfortable to use without shoes!
- 1 Year Warranty — Plus a 60 day returns policy, meaning any faults are covered and will be dealt with efficiently.
- One For All —This board is excellent for surfing, but did you know that you can use it for even more sports than that? Including, but not limited to, skiing, snowboarding, and skateboarding. Perfect if surfing is not your only passion!
Cons
- A Sticky Situation — Unfortunately, the roller can pick up dirt which is not easy to remove.
Skill Board
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While not a traditional balance board, the Skill Board still deserves a place on this list. It is recommended and used by many professional athletes, and is a great alternative to a roller board, opting to use a ball instead of the traditional roller.
The ball allows for 360-degree motion, and is seen as more challenging than the roller board as this makes it more difficult to stand up. While this may not appeal to you at first, it’s extremely valuable because it helps you perfect your posture, and in turn, helps improve your balance much faster.
The Skill Board company understands and emphasizes how important it is to train your core, an essential strength when it comes to surfing and other kinds of sport.
Because of this, Skill Boards are designed with an emphasis on core training at the forefront, and are a difficult workout as a result.
The Skill Board is for the most dedicated of surfers, providing a great challenge, but an even greater reward.
There are two types of skill boards with different benefits. First is the grip board – You can opt to wear shoes or go barefoot with this version of the Skill Board.
The board comes complete with high-end grip tape and is perfect if you’re just starting out. The second option is the smooth board.
It is advised that you do not wear shoes with this version. It provides more of a challenge because of the lack of grip protection, but mimics the necessary balance needed for surfing more closely than the grip board.
The Skill Board has dimensions of 36.8 X 23.4 X 4″ and can support up to 300lbs.
Pros
Well-equipped — Both versions of the Skill Board come with a pump for the ball, so you can quickly restore it back to perfect condition if it becomes flat.
360-degree Motion — The real highlight of this board! The 360-degree motion means you will have well-rounded training and great experience when it comes to being in the ocean.
Other Health Benefits — Learning and honing balance and core strength skills will have major health benefits for areas of your life outside of surfing – including improved general health for everyday living.
Cons
- High Maintenance — The ball can lose air quite quickly, and will need a lot of pumping as a result.
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Blue Planet Balance Board
The Blue Planet Balance Board uses 3D balance modules instead of a roller. These are a great alternative to a roller, because like the Skill Board, they offer 360-degree rotation so are perfect for providing a full scope of training.
However, unlike the Skill Board, The Blue Planet Board comes with three different balance modules.
All three have a different level of difficulty, so you can practice on your desired level with the option of increasing or decreasing it depending on your confidence. It also comes with three different deck grips, so you can challenge yourself with varied levels of traction.
The board itself is 25″ long and 12″ wide. It can support up to 500 lbs.
Pros
- Sturdy — The wide stance of this board means it will stop when it hits the ground, reducing the risk of injury.
- Not Just For Surfing — While this is an excellent balance board for surfing, it is also a great board to invest in for stand-up paddleboarding.
- 360-degree Motion — So you can have a full training experience, but with varying levels of difficulty, so you can practice at a level you’re comfortable with.
Cons
- Difficult Assembly — The plastic inserts can be difficult to take in and out of the board.
Buyers Guide
The Different Types of Balance Boards
The balance boards in the list are some of the best and most reliable out there. However, this is by no means an exhaustive list, and there are a few other balance board options if you didn’t find one that you wanted! Here are some that might suit your needs best.
Rocker Boards
Rocker boards are highly recommended for beginners or children. They are a small, square shaped board that can rock back and forth or side to side. They operate via a lever at the bottom which turns around a pivot point, sometimes in the shape of a cylinder or two spheres.
Wobble Boards
A wobble board is a small, circular-shaped board with a half-sphere at the bottom. These boards are considered to be a step-up in difficulty from the rocker boards.
How To Use A Balance Board?
If you have selected a board from our list, then that’s great! Your next steps are to learn how to use a balance board, so here are some tips to help you prepare for your training!
Before you Begin
This is a great pre-step to learn before you get on the board. Learning to balance is difficult, and it is easy to become embarrassed or feel frustrated at falling off the board.
Don’t sweat it! It will take a little while to get the hang of, but the point of a balance board is to learn this stuff, and it’s normal to not be good at it right away. Don’t lose hope and keep trying!
Tip 1: Getting on the Board
This step applies to all the balance boards. Place one foot on the board and press it down. Then, bring your other foot onto the other side of the board and press that foot down, as before.
The board will roll, and then you can begin practicing. If it makes you feel safer, ask a trusted person to help you by spotting you while you practice.
Tip 2: Maintaining Balance
The following position is a great one to start out with while you’re getting used to being on the board. Keep your feet directly under your shoulders. Keep your shoulders back and bend your knees. This position uses all of your core muscles to maintain balance.
Please note: While this guide provides tips for balancing on a board, it is highly recommended that you seek out professional instructions.
This is to prioritize your safety by minimizing the risk of injury, and to ensure you’re learning techniques and skills in the most accurate and helpful ways.
Frequently Asked Question
Are Balance Boards Worth It?
Yes, they are! Not only do these boards help to strengthen your legs, but they also help to increase core strength.
As a result, you’ll be able to spend as long as you’d like riding the waves without having to worry about whether your body can support you or not!
What Do Balance Boards Do?
Aside from increasing the strength of your body, balance boards also do the following:
- Help to increase your muscle memory for an easier surfing experience.
- Mirror the weight distribution typically associated with a surfboard, giving you a taste of the authentic experience, and great practice for the real thing.
- Keep you steady while you visualize your next move.
- Focus on skills like cross stepping, nose riding, and even jumping.
What Are Some Good Balance Board Exercises?
Balance boards are great for increasing your surfing skills such as balance, and your general fitness.
To start, you can practice doing simple exercises like push-ups while on your balance board, making sure that you remain cautious of your surroundings to prevent unnecessary injury.
As your surfing skills increase, you’ll probably begin looking toward more complex balance board exercises. For instance, you could begin to hold a handstand, or hold weights while on the board.
Be as creative as you want!
If you’re a beginner and wish to prevent the balance board from rolling while you get the hang of things, you can even use rolled up towels as a makeshift but still highly supportive barrier!
Alternatively, you can use an alternative fulcrum instead of a roller to help gain confidence on the board.