Our customers love the outstanding performance and durability of our Australian made solid plastic Pod Handboards - No. 1 Australian Bodysurfing Handboard.
To celebrate 30years of handboard manufacturing and 25years as a company, Shane Vassallo has now designed the new Hand Body Soul® Max 5 plywood hand board range. Also, a new 316-Grade stainless steel webbing hand-strap bridge.
Versatile bodysurfing experience - Now you can ride a POD handboard either way
Just like the POD logo ambigram (can be turned 180 degrees still reads the same), now for the very first time in bodysurfing! Shane has also designed this new versatile Hand Body Soul® bodysurfing handplanes that you can ride either way!
Long Handboard Position
Have the nose (most extended section of the board) in front of your hand for the extra planing surface on full waves.
Short Handboard Position
Turn the board (180 degrees) the other way and have the tail (short section) in front of your hand for barrelling waves.
You make a choice it is in your hands – The decision is in your Bodysurfing – Naturally
Maximising the Handplane/Handboard Planing Surface
Also, the new ultra-light Max 5 cottonwood 380mm or 15" hand board shape, "maximises" the board's planing surface area. In conjunction with the concave, provides the maximum lift, speed, and control in the surf.
Remarkably, this hand surfer is the exact length and width with less weight compare to the classic robust plastic model, with the extra advantage maximising the surface area, providing better hydrodynamic and glide abilities when bodysurfing across the wall of the wave.
So, if you’re looking for the extra lift, speed, and control body surfing across the wall of the wave? Then our new hand finished epoxy sprayed wooden POD Handboard should be on the top of your list!
Convex = Comfort in the palm of your hand
Concave = Optimum Lift, Speed, and Control in the surf
The concave bottom is explicitly engineering for rapid lift versus force; this will assist in your body surfing and wave-holding skills without your board sliding downwards!
Our Hand Body Soul® wooden range convex surface keeps your hand in the natural swimming position.
Also, the double padded hand board strap and palm deck grip makes them comfortable to use.
Neutral Buoyancy
A bodysurfing hand board or hand plane should have neutral buoyancy; they are more comfortable to swim with when cutting into the surface of the water with no extra load to your swimming stroke, also its more accessible to stroke the board to the middle of your body maintaining excellent balance.
Body-surfing hand-planes that are over buoyant make it challenging to cut into the surface of the water while swimming, it also adds extra load to your hand, wrist and arm, furthermore twisting your body to one side.
Hand Body Soul® Wooden Bodysurfing Handboard Features
- Precise CNC machining (Computer Numerical Control) and hand finished
- Laser cut registered trademarks
- Hand finished epoxy sprayed and hand assembled
- 380mm or 15" hand board, "maximises" the board's gliding surface area
- Five-ply cottonwood laminate construction is lightweight, flexible, durable and neutral buoyancy
- Your hand is placed on over the convex deck surface and strap in the natural swimming position, directly above the board’s pivot point
- Extra comfort 65mm wide double-padded neoprene hand strap, includes under palm deck grip and wrist leash
- Left-handed users can change the wrist cord to the left side or your preferred bodysurfing choice or wave conditions = Long or Short Handboard Position
- Concave bottom ensures rapid elevation "lift force" and increased wave-holding capability
*Note: We highly recommend adjusting the hand strap snug once over your hand. With further use just slide your hand in between the strap and the deck grip. This will ensure the Velcro remains attached and lasts for many years. POD Handboards replace set.
POD Handboard Tips are available at the following link, www.podware.com.au/handboard-tips.
Body surfing hand boards; also known as hand planes or hand surfers.
7 Reviews Hide Reviews Show Reviews
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The hand plane is nice and light and easy to swim with.
It’s easy to swim with ,comfortable around your hand and wrist , fast when on a wave.
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Handplane Heaven
I was drawn out of a curiosity to the unusual shape to this plywood concave shape. I have a substantial collection now of many handboards. I have also made several. Nowadays I prefer handboards where the strap is placed further back so that the forward part of the board plays a more important role in catching water and providing lift. This is why I was drawn to the Pod designs! I can report that I’m really happy and totally stoked on the superb performance of this laminated board. It’s become my go to for the majority of conditions now. This is primarily due to it’s superb down the line speed. It’s really easy to take the high line, and you can set your direction instantly from take off. (It helps to use fins with a defined rail to help with this!) A huge plus when body surfing. This is definitely due to the exaggerated concave running the length of the board. I have noticed I use two hands more often on this board than on other more standard handplanes, this is due to the exceptional lift I am getting from it! Otherwise it feels like I need to perform a one armed push up! Not my strong point. Great innovative design that really works! I haven’t used it with the shorter area forward yet as this doesn’t make so much sense to me. On more gnarlyheavier waves I would probably take in my wooden Flo or plastic Pod.
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Awesomeness
Firstly, and emphatically, buy with confidence. Customer service is like a unicorn; rare and extraordinary. Shane is awesome. The handboard is beautiful. Website photos don’t do it justice. The strap feels like it will last a very long time. The switchability is fun. Super concave gives great hold. Nose is flat, angle awareness is important especially in faster water. Bottom line: buy one, you won’t regret it… Cheers from CA, USA
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The Mediterranean point of view
Works very well also in Mediterranean small waves. Sometimes I need to use it in the “longboard” position because I surf also mushy wind swells. But when the wind turns off shore and I find the little gems of my home spot, 1-2 ft barrelling mini waves, I just use the “shortboard” position and I can hold the line and easily travel into the green room… Neptune approved.
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Interesting reversable design
I like the reversible design as a concept but love the other boards too much and this never really gelled with me, the best thing about it is how easy it is to swim back out with it reversed. Having said that the other boards are twice the price so from a value point of view this is a good option.
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Like the board
Runs really well in a straight line. Virtually no spray in your face. I have been experimenting with getting the edge into the face of the wave. With amazing results, no sliding down the wave from this board, which is new to me. The board is very directional, holds me higher up on the wall of the wave. I have tended to prefer a “looser” feel, so this board is a different feel for me altogether. Most importantly, it is very pretty. Thanks Shane
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WOW the next level
I've used the pod handboard for several years with great success and consider it an essential tool in bodysurfing. The new size handboard is just right to use to great effect when swimming and paddling into a wave, and in the barrel, wow!!! Congratulations Shane yet another great bodysurfing tool
