What’s the difference between bodyboarding and boogie boarding, and are they the same thing? Is there a difference? The solution is actually quite straightforward. Here’s how a bodyboard vs. boogie board stack up.
Boogie Boarding History
To understand the link between the boogie board and a bodyboard, we must travel all the way back to the ’70s.
Tom Morey, the founder of the boogie board, was a native of Hawaii. After hearing a Baha’i prayer, he was inspired to develop the Boogie board.
The phrase, “convey upon me, oh, my God,” was found in the passage.
He made a boat out of two halves of a paper towel roll and some foam, then went boating with it. When you consider how amazing it is, it’s really incredible.
Morey took to the waves on the board in Hawaii’s Kong Coast, thanks to only foam and newspaper. Morey cruised the waters of Hawaii’s Big Island on the board.
Morey first considered naming it S.N.A.K.E., which stood for side, navel, arm, knee, and elbow and were the body parts we used to ride Boogie boards. Fortunately, friends convinced him to reconsider his ideas. Could you imagine calling these snakeboards and calling this sport snake boarding?
The term snake board is strangely used. They were invented in South Africa. These days, they’re usually known as street boards.
After a year, Tom decided to give the board a new name. The term boogie was derived from a style of Jazz known as “boogie-woogie,” which became popular in the 1920s.
Boogie board is a type of surfboard that was created by the inventor, Tom Morey. He named it after the boogie board because the ride was a “boogie” on the waves.
Boogie Board Trademark
When Tom moved to California, he began selling the Morey Boogie. The demand became too great for him, and so he sold his invention to Kransco, a San Francisco-based toy company.
Kransco trademarked the phrase “Boogie Board” to use as the name of its product. This legally prevented other firms from selling competing versions of it under that name.
As a result, other businesses would be forced to rely on the term bodyboard as a means of indicating that they were selling the same products. Despite this, with a simple Google search, you can discover that names are frequently used interchangeably.
It’s an example of when the brand name for a product becomes the generic term for it. For instance, Jacuzzi was a firm that produced and sold jacuzzis.
The name “hot tubs” is a generic term, so other businesses that sell the product have to utilize it.
Bodyboard vs Boogie Board: Any Differences?
No, not really. They’re essentially the same size and perform the same function. Some writers have discovered that bodyboards and Boogie Board are somewhat different in terms of design. One distinction is that the Boogie Board may be found in most retail shops and for a low price.
Bodyboards are available in surf shops at a higher cost than on the internet. People can discover bodyboards for a greater price near surf shops. Bodyboards are more expensive and of better quality when purchased in stores.
Meanwhile, children and novices are more inclined to utilize a boogie board. The bodyboard is generally used by novice and professional surfers.
Another key distinction between the bodyboard and the boogie board is that, unlike the latter, it is capable of wave riding. The boogie board is designed for lesser waves, while the bodyboard is intended for bigger waves. In reality, bodyboarding competitions are held in order to determine who can ride the waves best.
A Boogeyboarding competition is unusual. When you hear surfers refer to what they’re doing as bodyboarding, there’s a deeper sense of purpose.
The name boogie boarding doesn’t have the same serious wave riding vibe as other surfing terms. It’s possible that it comes from the name, but to most people, it conveys a more carefree mood.
Bodyboard vs Boogie Board: Riding Style
The majority of surfing sessions are spent prone on a surfboard, which is to lie down on the board while surfing. Bodyboards from the surf shop, on the other hand, are likely better equipped to support drop-knee and stand-up styles of surfing than retail store boogieboards.
Boogie Board vs Surfboard: Comparison and Differences
In this instance of contrast, the Boogie Board and a surfboard are quite different. The most obvious difference is dimensions.
Boogie boards are generally shorter and lighter, while surfboards are longer and heavier. Surfing is considerably more difficult than boogie boarding.
When a wave is approaching, you must paddle and stand up on your board as it approaches. Then you must maintain balance on the board while riding the wave.
However, boogie boarding is a far simpler activity to pick up if you’re new to any type of watersport. You mostly lie prone and allow the wave to come to you. It won’t require as much paddling or movement in the water as other activities do.
What is the Best Bodyboard?
The best bodyboard for you is one that matches your ability. It’s preferable to go bigger and wider if you’re a beginner. As you get used to riding the waves, it’ll give you greater control.
Although the speed is modest, it’s critical for novices to have some steadiness when they begin. Smaller and narrower boards are typically preferable for more expert bodyboarders. The board moves at a quicker pace, allowing for greater maneuverability. This can help you accomplish all of the complicated maneuvers performed by professional bodyboarders.
In addition to experience, finding one that is suited to your size is beneficial. Typically, determining the ride size entails a lot of trial and error. Choose a boar board that you can use in the water and see how it performs for you. If you don’t like the sensation of it in the water, try another boar.
However, if you’re taller and heavier, a longer and wider board may be more suited to you. If you’re shorter and lighter, a shorter and narrower board is preferable.
Pro Bodyboarders
Bodyboarding has evolved from a simple boogie-boarder pastime into a professional competitive sport. Annual competitions have been held in the United States, Australia, Brazil, and across the world.
Mike Stewart, one of the most legendary wave riders in history, is the father of contemporary bodyboarding. He’s won a total of nine global championships due to his tremendous hunger and competitive spirit. Alexandra Rinder, a female bodyboarder from Australia, is currently one of the top athletes in the world.
Does Tom Morey Still Make Boogie Boards Today?
After doing engineering for Boeing in the ’90s, he moved back to California and re-entered the surf industry.
The Morey Boogie Wham-O is a famous toy brand that was founded in the 1950s. In the 2000s, Morey went on to develop softer surfboard goods after launching boogie boarding products in the 1990s.
His most famous works were the Swizzle, a uniquely shaped nose-diving board. Most recently, Tom Morey collaborated with another surfing company called Catch Surf to promote his products to a broader audience. Mr. Morey is still alive at the age of 84 years old as of this writing.
Conclusion
The most significant thing is that you enjoy doing it, whether you call it boogie-boarding or bodyboarding. You are free to name it whatever you want as long as you are having a good time.
