How to Make Wood Skimboards

Skimboarding is an offshoot of surfing that takes place on the shore of the beach. As opposed to riding the powerful ocean waves, skimboarders glide across the water that washes onto the beach. While surfers use the force of the waves to propel themselves forward, swimboarders jog across the beach before tossing the board on the water. Professionally made skimboards are often made of fiberglass and can cost upwards of $100. Surfing Waves recommends using a piece of 3/8-inch plywood to make your own wooden skimboard.

Things You'll Need

  • 2-by-4 plywood, 3/8 inch thick
  • Heavy-duty pencil
  • Jigsaw
  • Planer
  • Power sander
  • Dipstick
  • Paintbrush
  • Waterproof paint
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Instructions

    • 1

      Lower the sheet of plywood onto the ground. Draw the outline of your skimboard onto the sheet of plywood. Design the skimboard with a pointed nose as well as a twin fin tail.

    • 2

      Cut out your skimboard by following the pencil line with the blade of the jigsaw. Align your skimboard between the jaws of a tightened clamp. Scrape the outside edge of the skimboard with the planer to smooth any imperfections in the plywood.

    • 3

      Rub the power sander along the circumference of the skimboard to round the edge of the plywood. Stir the waterproof paint with a wooden dipstick.

    • 4

      Apply a coat of waterproof paint to both sides of the skimboard. Allow the paint to dry for 45 minutes to one hour. Test out the wooden skimboard on the shore of a nearby beach.