What Materials Do You Need for a Skimboard?

Skimboards are flatter, lighter and wider than surfboards, and are used to skim across waves once they hit the shoreline. While many skimboards can be bought from online retailers or local surf shops for less than $50, you can make your own for less than $20 or make a custom board out of expensive materials if you choose. Most materials can be found at your local home improvement store.

  1. Wooden Skimboard

    • Wood is the original material skimboards were made of. To create one, you'll need a plywood sheet that's 4 feet long, 2 feet wide and 3/8 inches thick for the board. You will also need to create a template of the shape of the board out of thick card stock paper, a pencil to outline the design, a band saw or jigsaw to cut out the shape and a sander to smooth out the the board's edges and surface. Lastly, pick an airbrush paint for decorating your board.

    Foam Skimboard

    • Foam skimboards are generally used for children and as starter boards. To create the body of your board, you'll need 3/4- inch EPS (expanded polystyrene scrap) sheets and 1/4-inch 2-by-4 foot piece of hard wood. Both of these items can be found at your local home improvement store. You'll need adhesive that won't melt through the foam of the board (craft glue or epoxy glue will work) and 6-ounce fiberglass, which you'll use to line the bottom and top of the board. You will also need to create a template of the shape of the board out of thick card stock paper, a pencil to outline the design, a band saw or jigsaw to cut out the shape and a sander to smooth out the the board's edges and surface. Choose an airbrush paint to decorate your board.

    Carbon Fiber Board

    • Skimboards made of carbon fiber are one of the sturdiest boards, but also one of the most expensive, as carbon fiber is the same type of material used for many race cars. They're also very lightweight, which is best for long-time boarders. The carbon fiber board is made with the same materials as a foam board, except instead of fiberglass, use carbon fiber. You may have to special-order the carbon fiber from an online retailer, as it will not likely be found at a home improvement store.

    Texalium Board

    • Texalium is a type of fiberglass that's coated with aluminum. Texalium makes the board sparkle and shine in the sun. These boards are made with the same materials as a foam board, except instead of standard fiberglass, use texalium. You may have to special order the carbon fiber from an online retailer, as it will not likely be found at a home improvement store.