How to Customize Skimboards

Repaint an existing skimboard with custom-made art. Remove glossiness by sanding down the present finish. Wipe clean with wax remover or alcohol. Obtain a prepared drawing or design to be transferred onto the board. Transfer artwork using carbon transfer paper. Color in the art with paint markers, polyurethane enamel or acrylic paint. Let it dry completely. Paint a thin gloss coat over it using clear spray paint or polyurethane. Do not apply it too thickly but instead repeat the process three times.

Work directly with an artist when changing or adding artwork. Find a professional artist who specifically designs boards. Several options are available. Create your own design and have the artist hand paint it onto the board. Together decide on colors and finish. Or have the artist help you transfer a visual image to a final product.

Adjust your foot hold when skimming without applying wax. An arch bar affixed to the deck of the board will give foot support. Raised and slightly cushioned, it fits right under the arch of a skimmer's foot. The front foot is kept in place at the nose of the board, eliminating the need for wax in that area.

Another option is a tail pad which provides grip at the end of the board for better balance. For this alternative, the skimmer needs to wax the nose of the board. These customizations allow the rider to estimate the distance available at the back and gives a visual guide for foot placement.

Lastly, consider thin strips or "stars and bombs" which permits the rider to place raised texture throughout the deck, at her discretion, similar to the slip strips on a bathtub. This is an effective approach when used in conjunction with an arch bar to provide additional front traction.

Read package instructions carefully before applying any type of traction so not to ruin the skimboard. It is recommended to gently sand the area with fine sandpaper where the deck grips will be set. Be attentive at the spots where the grip edges will be positioned so they don't peel up.

Wipe the smoothed site with a little wax remover or rubbing alcohol and let dry completely. Peel off the backing sheet of the deck grip and lay it onto the skimboard. Trace it lightly and remove. Next, push down the grip piece with added pressure into the penciled area. Pay attention to the corners and make certain that they are flat to the board.

Add a Sector Deck Velcro system for extreme skimboarding. This is an uncommon type of traction which requires the rider to wear special booties with Velcro bottoms. Traction pads with a Velcro layer are glued onto the skimboard deck with the outer Velcro side up. When the rider jumps onto her board, she is "stuck," allowing her to perform extreme maneuvers.

Design a skimboard from start to finish at a shop or through online websites such as Jack'd and Extreme Outdoor Supply (see Resources below). A tailored skimboard offers a choice of board material in carbon, S-glass or E-glass. Riders select color, size, hybrid or pro shape. The rider determines the board's thickness and whether the finish will be glossy or textured. Decks can be embossed with a textured surface to offer the same grip as add-ons but without the potential sharp edges of a traction pad. The skimmer is also in control of the color, artwork, any logo and its location. Some studios also include bottom art as part of the customizing.