Build your own cottonwood POD® handplane with a purpose-designed DIY kit that lets you ride the board in either orientation, depending on wave type and hand position. This handplane is designed for bodysurfers who want to understand their equipment and shape how it works through hands-on assembly.
It does not create performance on its own. It is designed to work with your body position, trim, and movement in the water, helping you feel how changes in surface and orientation affect control and flow.
DIY Handboard Assembly Kit - Includes
- One × 380 mm (15") cottonwood handplane, undercoated (light sanding and additional clear or colour coats required)
- Two × stainless steel webbing strap retainers
- Four × stainless steel fixing screws
- One × 65 mm double-padded neoprene and webbing hand strap
- One × neoprene and webbing wrist strap with cord
- One × under-palm EVA deck grip
Versatile Bodysurfing Use
Inspired by the POD® ambigram, the Hand Body Soul® handplane can be ridden in either orientation, allowing you to adjust hand position to match wave shape and conditions.
This is not about changing performance, but about understanding how surface area and position influence control, hold, and movement through the wave.
Long Hand Position
Position the longer planing section forward of the hand to increase surface contact and support cleaner entry and hold on fuller waves.
Short Hand Position
Rotate the board 180 degrees so the shorter section leads, allowing more control in steeper waves, barrels, and shore breaks.
You make a choice when bodysurfing. It’s in your hands - Bodysurfing Naturally.
Planing Surface and Hydrodynamics
The 380 mm (15") shape increases effective surface area while remaining lightweight. Combined with the concave bottom, it works with water flow to support lift, directional control, and cleaner movement across the wave face.
Compared with the classic plastic model of the same dimensions, the cottonwood construction achieves a similar surface area with reduced weight, allowing the board to respond more naturally to movement in the water.
Concave Bottom - Lift and Control
The concave underside is shaped to work with water flow, supporting lift and maintaining hold while reducing downward slip and minimising splash toward the face.
Convex Deck - Natural Hand Position
The Hand Body Soul® convex deck supports a natural swimming hand position, improving comfort and allowing the board to work with your movement rather than against it.
Hand Body Soul® Handplane - Key Features
- CNC-machined and hand-finished cottonwood construction
- Laser-cut registered trademarks
- 380 mm (15") handplane shape for balanced surface and control
- Five-ply structure with neutral buoyancy
- 65 mm double-padded neoprene hand strap with EVA palm pad
- Wrist leash with adjustable cord
- Ambidextrous setup allowing left- or right-handed use
Fit and Care Note
Adjust the hand strap to a snug fit over your hand. For ongoing use, slide your hand between the strap and the EVA deck grip to maintain secure Velcro contact and extend service life. Replacement strap sets are available if required, click here.
8 Reviews Hide Reviews Show Reviews
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Pod kit hand board
To begin, I have heaps of handboards.. This one has a whole lotta lift, to the point where I found myself up on two hands.. It also generated next to no spray... I could get used to this....
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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
