The bongo, balance, or whatever prefix you want to put in front of the word “board”, isn’t anything new to the world of surfing, or any board sport for that matter. We all know what they are, and the how to use them; you simply stand on the board, and try to stay balanced on top of the round support underneath. Good, you get it now.
But which balance board is actually worth spending your money on? These things are not cheap, unless you are stingy enough to build your own. So if you got the wad burning a hole in your pocket, or your clumsiness level is high enough to almost qualify for a handicapped-parking pass, choosing the right one is pretty crucial.
The Spooner
The Spooner, made by Spooner Inc., could be confused, by the sound of the
name, with a life-like body pillow that holds you gently until you fall asleep, but is actually a balance board. This contraption is a polyethylene, spoon shaped, balance board. Unlike most balance boards, the Spooner does not have a ball or roller underneath of it, relieving the owner of the certain crash to the ground. The negative aspect of not having a roller underneath the board is; it’s hella-easy. The Spooner is more for the kids learning the basics of board sports. Yes, I know, they have different sizes with different rocker shapes, but c’mon, you aren’t even off of the ground. Unless you are a surf instructor who is buying them as training board by the dozen for the little dudes, I would say pass on the Spooner, even at the low-end price of $40.
The Indo-Board
This is one of the better-known balance boards on the market. The Indo-Board is a wooden, flat-topped deck, placed on top of a plastic, grip-lined roller. A major plus of the Indo-board, on top of its multiple surfboard-like sizes, are the blockers on the under side of the deck on the nose and tail. These little bit of extra wood help keep the deck nearby during a collapse, by hitting the roller and staying nearby when shot out by your weight. It also includes, in some packages, a stationary, rubbery half-sphere support, for balancing in a 360-degree range, but without rolling. The packages run somewhere around one hundred and fifty bucks, which is a little pricey for what you’re getting, but I’d say it is a good purchase.
The Chakra
The Chakra balance board, with it’s flat top deck and grip-lined roller, is almost the same thing as the Indo-Board, but with two major differences. First off, the Chakra has some really cool design options, making it more visually appealing. You a Rasta, mon? Chakra has the deck for you. Secondly, the Chakra has the same type of stoppers as the Indo-Board, but they are removable, and easily taken off by a total of four screws. So if you want to see your friends hip check the ground, or you just like to live it on the edge, the Chakra would be a nice choice, especially when it is a few bucks cheaper than the Indo.
The Surf Ball
This board is the real deal. Though the price is steep, hitting around 280 bones, it is the balance board that is most related to actual surfing. Unlike the others, the Surf Ball has a board, very similar to a real surfboard, which is placed on top of a ball, that is very similar to a basketball. The sweet part of the Surf Ball ball is that it is adjustable. This allows for the rider to raise and lower the pressure of the ball, which makes the balancing either easier or more difficult. The lower the pressure, the easier it is. Another great aspect is that this trainer is on a ball, not a roller. This allows for the rider to have a 360-degrees of mobility. Think about it. When surfing, you need to have, not only, balance between your nose and tail, but also in between your heels and toes. The Surf Ball grants you that privilege. This, in my opinion, would be the best buy for the seasoned snapper, despite the price.
By Jeramy Waterman