Editing Bodyboarding (section)

=== Features ===
The shape, or curve, of the board affects how it rides. If the wide point of the board is nearer to the nose, the board tends to be best suited to prone riding as the bodyboarder's weight rests further up on the board. Boards with more parallel rails or a narrow nose tend to be more ideal for drop-knee and stand-up riding as the rider's center of gravity tends to rest further back.

Most modern boards are equipped with channels that increase surface area in the critical parts of the board which, in turn, allow it to have varying hold and control on the wave. Originally, [[skeg]]s were installed to decrease slippage on a wave face. However, progressive bodyboarding has rendered use of such skegs obsolete due to the looseness required for maneuverability on a wave. For such reasons, skegs are rarely used today and, even then, almost exclusively by dropknee or stand-up bodyboarders.

Tail shapes influence the way that boards perform in the line-up. Crescent tails provide the greatest amount of hold in steep waves. Crescent tails are generally preferred by drop-knee riders because the shape interferes less. Crescent tails are also preferred by beginners, due to being able to perform well in varying conditions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://beachgoer.com/blogs/news/bodyboard-buying-guide|title=The Beachgoer Bodyboard Buying Guide|website=Beachgoer|language=en|access-date=2019-04-08}}</ref> [[Bat tail]]s provide looseness for rail to rail transitions. Prone riders tend to prefer bat tails more than dropknee riders.