Making a Skimboard

Not 100% surfing related but a skimboard is great for those really small / non existent surf days spent down at the beach. This little how-to guide has been put together by Death Frog over at the forum, and will require some surfing lingo knowledge. Any questions get over to the forum an post them on the skimboard construction page.

Anyway, let's take a look at the ingredients. You will need

For Wooden Skimboard

2'x4'x3/8" sheet of plywood (see full specs below) - for wooden skimboard

For Foam Skimboard

3/4" EPS sheets (that are sold for insulation)
1/4" solid hardwood for your stringer
Epoxy, tacky glue, Elmer's glue, Gorilla glue - anything that won't melt your foam
6oz fibreglass

And for both

a Jigsaw ( or hand saw if you want to work a lot harder)
Card / Paper for the size template
1 pencil
1 Belt Sander
Paint / Airbrush of your choice if you want a design on it

Got the Materials? Let the Construction Begin

With the wood the hardest part is usually getting a clean line and finding a good shape. Death Frog is available for help with sizes etc - find out more here. With foam it's basically find some, glue in a stringer, cut out the shape and turn down the rails all the way around and glass (which is the hard part). On the wood boards, you can get away with varnish if you take good care of it, just do enough coats so you don't see wood texture on most of the board (usually three coats).

Ok, onto the actual making. Go to your local hardware store , somewhere that will sell you a 2'x4'x3/8" sheet of plywood. The higher quality it is the longer your skimboard will last - don't be tight - put your hand in your pocket! Choose a piece that has the grain running the long way of the board, no big knots, smooth grain, and no chunks taken out of it.

Now you are ready for Tracing and Cutting Your Skimboard Shape >>