10 Fun Kickboards To Bring To The Beach With You This Summer
Beach days are fun with equal measures of surf, sun, and sand. A kickboard can add joy and frolic to your days at the beach. There are a lot of benefits to buying these helpful swimming boards. You can enhance your swimming techniques while building leg muscles. However, you need to buy the right board that allows you to stay buoyant and improves upon your swimming experience. We have reviewed 10 best that will make a great addition to your beach paraphernalia.
These boards are fun and serve many utilitarian functions. They are immensely beneficial for novice swimmers. Here are some basic questions answered about purchasing them.
What Is a Kickboard?
These are usually rectangular cut out from plastic or foam. They are a simple piece of swimming gear and can make your time in the water relaxing and enjoyable. You can use these in lakes, oceans and even in swimming pools. They are available in a variety of shapes and sizes.
What Does It Do?
These boards are held in front of you while swimming and work to immobilize your upper body. The legs are isolated and allow you to kick the water. You can work on powerful kicks that help you swim farther. It also allows you to keep your head above water when positioned right. This benefit is enjoyed by novice swimmers who are not comfortable going underwater.
How Does It Work?
They are fashioned out of plastic or foam material. These make them buoyant and allow your upper body to float. Your hands are immobilized holding the board, leaving your legs free to do all the work. The kicking motion helps your body move forward easily. It is a great way to work on your leg muscles and swimming techniques.
Where Can You Buy It?
These boards are available with any local store that holds swim gear. You can even purchase them at beach shops that sell surfboards and other similar items. However, you might not get a lot of options at local stores. They are available in a variety of colors and shapes. You can get many options online. We have provided an individual link with every reviewed product to make it easier for you to purchase.
How to Buy the Right Board?
There are a lot of factors that need to be considered while purchasing the right board. You need to make sure that the product you buy is as per your expectations. To this effect, you should identify your needs. Do you need this board to help you swim if you are an amateur swimmer? Do you need it to stay afloat? Or do you want it for some easy boogie boarding in the water?
The various features you should look for are hydrodynamic designs, EVA foam and inbuilt handles. These will allow you to swim easier. However, if you are looking for some beach fun, then you can get cheap Styrofoam boards available in different prints.
How we Reviewed
These boards have several benefits apart from helping you swim. There are also many kinds of these boards available on the market. It can get pretty confusing to buy the right board to serve your needs. We have handpicked 10 of the best boards available on the market. We based our selection on quality, features, and price and have included different styles of these boards on this list.
We understand that deciding can be difficult when you are bombarded with options. We have listed the unique characteristics and features of each board to help you differentiate between them. We have also mentioned the individual pros and cons for you to make a well-thought decision. Approximate individual prices, with online links, are also listed with each product to make it easier for you to purchase.
Overall Price Range
These boards come in a variety of shapes and sizes with many unique features. You can buy a good product from $ to $. We have included few budget options as well that are priced higher. The high-end products have various unique features. These have hydrodynamic designs and are fashioned from EVA foam. The low-end products are commonly created from Styrofoam and are not as durable. Some products have special hand grips to help you hold the board easily.
Kickboards We Reviewed
- Speedo Team
- TYR
- FINIS Alignment
- Speedo All Age Elite Pullkick Swim Training Aid
- VERISA Kids & Adults Swimming
- Speedo Junior Team
- Swim Research Swim Training
- Marvel Spiderman Foam
- Disney Princess Foam
- EVA
Speedo Unisex Adult Swim Training Kickboard
Features
This board comes in a one size fits all. It is made from lightweight textured EVA foam that is fleece lined. The sides contain scalloped grooves that make it easier for you to hold on to the board. There are also grooves on the underside that provides a no-slip grip. This board is not flimsy and stays strong on water. It provides great buoyancy because of lightweight EVA foam.
Pros
-
Scalloped Grooves
Cons
- Too short for adults
- Strong plastic smell at first
TYR Kickboard Black, Adult
Featrures
This product is available in one size and is manufactured using high-quality materials. Both recreational and professional users can use it. The product is tested to provide an edge in all kinds of swim activities. The board is created out of EVA foam and is 20”x11.5”. The board is built for extended life performance in the water.
Pros
-
Tested for Efficiency
Cons
- Not very buoyant
- Not rigid
FINIS Alignment Swimming Kickboard, Yellow
Features
This unique shaped board has a streamlined design. The hydrodynamic design positions your body smoothly from head to toes. There is reduced shoulder stress as it can be made to submerge till just under the water surface. It is a great product for standard kicking, one arm drills, and side kicking. The board has a stabilizing strap that allows you to keep your hands and arms in a streamlined position. It does not require strong gripping.
Pros
-
Hydrodynamic design
- Recommended for beginners
Cons
- Hand straps are tight
This Speedo board is 2” high and 9” wide. It fashions as a pull buoy while acting as a kick-board. The small size makes it perfect to travel with. The lightweight board is ideal for both upper body and lower body workouts. It has a unique shape that allows for one arm drills and backstrokes as well. You can use it to build strength and endurance. This is marketed as the favorite training aid of the elite swimmer Natalie Coughlin.
Pros
-
Fits in the backpack
- Good Curvature
Cons
Speedo Swim Training Kickboard Junior
Features
This board is junior sized and meant for children. The side finger scallops in this product promote proper hand position. It is ideal for kicking drills that help to improve leg strength. Your child can take it in the water and position the body perfectly for ideal swimming. There are underside finger grooves to make gripping easier. The surface is non-stick and is textured from EVA foam.
Pros
- Small, easy to carry size
-
Great Buoyancy
Cons
- Not for tall children
Swim Research Swim Training Kickboard
Features
This adult sized board has a pull buoy mechanism. It helps to develop underbody strength and provides upper alignment during swim workouts. You can neutralize natural kicking motions and elevate legs by placing it between the thighs. The EVA foam is soft and comfortable and built to last. You can choose between two color options on this board.
Pros
-
Good quality
- Soft and comfortable foam
Cons
-
Small Size
Marvel Spiderman Foam Kickboard
This foam board features a Spiderman design and is ideal for children. The dimensions are 17.5”x9.25”. The product is lightweight at just 0.32 ounce. You can help your child enter the water easily with this board. Marvel characters make it easier for your child get accustomed to the water. You can use it to enhance leg muscles of your child and develop on swimming techniques. This board is ideal for your child to use it to splash around in the ocean or lake.
Pros
-
Marvel print
-
Inexpensive
Cons
- Slick material
- Not very buoyant
This board is perfect for your little princess while in the water. It is sturdy and rigid. The dimensions are 17”x10”. It is perfect for children above the age of 4 who want a little friend while in the water. It is great for novice swimmers or children who are scared of the water. The print features high-quality colors that are durable and look lifelike.
Pros
- Works for Boogie boarding
- Disney print
Cons
- Not durable
- Made of styrofoam
EVA Kickboard for Kids and Adults
This board is made of high-performance EVA molded foam. It is suitable for both children and adults. It has a capacity of 180Kgs. The hydrodynamic design can help you glide easily through the water. It is perfect for your child to learn to swim and have a fun day at the beach. You can use is for boogie boarding in the water as well. There are integrated handles at the edges. These allow for proper positioning while in the water. You can use it for enhancing your leg muscles during kicking drills and general training. It is 1 inch thick and of ideal length to function as a swim aid.
Pros
-
High quality
Cons
- Might not be big enough for some adults
- Not rigid
Final Verdict
Each board reviewed here has unique characteristics and is handpicked to satisfy your needs. They are available in a variety of prices. If you are looking for a board that can double up as training equipment, then you cannot go wrong with either ‘TYR Kickboard’ or ‘Speedo All Age Elite Pullkick Swim Training Aid.’
However, if you are on a budget ‘VERISA Kids & Adults Swimming Kickboard’ is a great option. There are hydrodynamic designs that help you maintain a streamlined position while in water. For this, ‘FINIS Alignment Kickboard’ and ‘EVA Kickboard’ are good options. You can buy printed designs for children such as ‘Disney Princess Foam Kickboard’ and ‘Marvel Spiderman Foam Kickboard.’ If you are looking for a kickboard, there is something for everyone.
