The Complete Guide to Bodyboarding
What it really costs, what gear you truly need, and how to decide if riding waves on your belly is worth your time, money, and garage space — before you buy a single board.
by Alumigogo Books
non-fiction
The honest, plain-English guide to bodyboarding for total beginners — what it costs, what gear you need, and whether it's right for you.
About this book
This guide answers those questions with straight talk and real numbers. Written by someone who has spent years in the water, it breaks down exactly what bodyboarding involves once you're past the Instagram clips: the cold early-morning sessions, the frustration of eating sand, the gear that's actually worth your money (and the stuff that isn't), and the pure joy of catching your first green wave. You'll get realistic budget tiers from a sub-$200 starter setup to serious-level investment, an honest look at the learning curve, and a clear path forward for your first week, first month, and first year.
Reader Reviews
Sarah Jackson
★★★★★This is a solid, honest overview for someone like me who was just curious about trying bodyboarding. I appreciated the no-BS cost breakdowns and the chapter on what gear is actually necessary — it saved me from buying some overpriced junk. I knocked off a star because the first chapter got a bit long-winded describing the 'feel' of a session, and I just wanted the facts. Still, it gave me what I needed to decide, and I'm buying my first board next week.
Donna Davis
★★★★★I almost didn't read this because I'm 47, out of shape, and thought bodyboarding was for teenagers. This guide made me feel like I could actually do this. The author explains everything like a friend who's been there, not a salesman. The honest talk about costs was a relief — I'm not broke but I don't want to waste money. The first chapter's description of that first wave feeling? That's what sold me. I've had my board for three weeks now and I'm hooked. Buy this if you're on the fence.
Angela Moore
★★★★★Very useful and practical. I liked that it laid out the real costs in tables — it made the decision to start much easier when I could see exactly what I'd be spending, from the cheap option to the 'treat yourself' option. The prose in chapter one was a little flowery for my taste at points, but the content was spot-on. The checklist in chapter two genuinely made me pause and think about whether I have the time for this. Turns out I do, because this guide made the schedule look manageable.
Jennifer Taylor
★★★★★This is the guide I wish I'd had a year ago. I burned probably $300 on a fancy board I didn't need because I fell for marketing. This book tells you honestly that a cheap board is fine to start, and the chapter on what to do in your actual first week is gold. The narrative in chapter one of what a real session feels like — the cold water, the anxiety, then that sudden drop into a wave — was so accurate it gave me chills. If you're even 10% curious about this, read this. It will save you money and frustration.