Make Your Own Skimboard

Planning a trip to the beach this summer? In the mood for something a little more exciting than sand castle building? Well, you might want to give skimboarding a try. Skimboarding is kind of like surfing, except you literally skim the water (riding the waves isn't as big a part of this sport). But before you can give it a try, you're going to need a skimboard. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars (which is about how much these things cost), why not build your own? You don't need too many materials, but you are going to need the help of an adult.

Building Your Own Skimboard - Necessary Ingredients

The first step involves a trip to the hardware store, so grab the grown-up you've chosen and head on down to your local Home Depot (any general hardware store should also be fine). Now, there are a lot of different types of wood, but the best kind to use for a skimboard is plywood. Make sure the plywood is half an inch thick, and then ask a salesperson to cut you a piece that's around two feet by four feet. Take that sucker home and get ready for the next step!

Building Your Own Skimboard - Construction Zone

Okay, first things first: Find a pencil and draw the shape of the board on the piece of wood. In case you're wondering, skimboards are kind of like stumpy surfboards (think of an egg shape, except with pointy ends). Now you're ready to start cutting, though this is definitely something your chosen adult will need to do. A jigsaw of some sort is the best thing to use, so stand back while your grown-up helper does the hard part for you.

Building Your Own Skimboard - Finishing Touches

You're just about done, but there are a few more important things to be done before you can show off your new skimboard to all your friends. You've probably already noticed the skimboard is just a little bit rough around the edges, so grab some sandpaper and get busy smoothing. You're pretty much ready to hit the water, but first it's a good idea to throw a coat of waterproof lacquer on your board. You should be able to find this at any general paint store - ask someone there what they suggest to use. As for taking care of your skimboard, there's not much that needs to be done - other than keeping it dry so it doesn't warp. Have fun!

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