Learn to Surf with the GoofBoard

The GoofBoard is a balance board designed for surfers and other board sports, such as paddle boarding. But unlike most other balance products on the market, it rides rail-to-rail, producing a motion similar to the surfing experience. The board comes in two styles, Classic (reviewed here) and Freestyle.

First off, the design and construction quality is excellent. The board itself is made from 15mm birch plywood that has four strips of grip tape that improve traction, especially when going barefoot. The roller is made from recycled materials with an ocean-inspired design printed on it and capped with rubber & plastic ends. While it looks like a poster tube, it is plenty strong.

When starting out, it is recommended to use a chair for stability and a soft surface, such as carpet, to provide some rolling resistance (and some cushion if you fall). We used a thick carpet sample for the first several attempts, and then worked our way down to some firmer carpet tiles to speed up the rolling action.

Customer reviews on Amazon.com have been excellent. As of this review, 44 people have reviewed it with 89% giving it a 5 star rating (out of 5 stars) and the remaining 11% giving it a 4 star rating. Comments range from “better than I expected” to “harder than you think, but more fun too”.

The GoofBoard is designed to help aspiring surfers learn how to surf at home and help more experienced surfers stay in shape and improve their skills. But it is also a great product for anyone looking for a fun way to improve balance and increase leg strength.

Purchase directly from the GoodBoard website, which also has good how-to information and videos. Happy goofboarding!