Original Handcrafted POD Handboard - Bodysurfing Handplanes

Original Handcrafted POD Handboard - Australian Cedar Bodysurfing Handplane

The Original Handcrafted POD® handboard is the board that defined the POD signature shape. Made from select-grade Australian cedar and hand-finished to a marine-grade satin coat, this bodysurfing handplane has been shaped and refined by POD founder Shane Vassallo since the late 1980s.

It does not replace the rider or create performance on its own. It works with body position, trim, control, and surface connection, helping the rider hold speed more cleanly and move through the wave with greater consistency.

Each board is precision-machined and hand-finished from solid timber, preserving the wood's natural character. Variations in grain, weight, and colour are not flaws. They are the mark of a genuine handcrafted bodysurfing handboard - each piece individually finished and unique.

Each Original Handcrafted POD handboard is hand-coated up to eight times using marine-grade wood varnish, with light sanding between coats to ensure durability, water resistance, and a refined satin finish.

This handboard is produced in limited quantities for bodysurfers who value craftsmanship, heritage, and connection. It is a continuation of a design lineage that has remained relevant for over three decades.

Deck, Bottom, and Hydrodynamic Shape

All POD handboard decks are convex, providing natural comfort in the palm of the hand and supporting a relaxed swimming position without unnecessary strain.

The bottom features a concave profile with an integrated keel fin that works with water flow to support lift, directional control, and cleaner movement across the wave. This helps the rider stay higher in the water and hold speed more effectively once positioned correctly.

The Original Handcrafted POD handboard feels like a natural extension of the hand rather than an object being held. That sense of flow, balance, and connection is what has defined this board since its inception.

POD® Handboard Features

• Select-grade Australian cedar construction
• Hand-coated up to eight times with marine-grade wood varnish
• Light sanding between coats for durability and a refined satin finish
• Convex deck with natural palm support
• Concave bottom with integrated keel fin for lift and directional control
• Natural swimming hand position aligned over the pivot point
• Double-padded neoprene hand strap
• Ambidextrous setup suitable for left- or right-handed use
• Limited production - each board is individually finished

Care and Longevity

Proper care ensures your handcrafted handboard continues to perform and age naturally.

• Strap adjustment: Set the strap snugly once. For regular use, slide your hand between the strap and palm support to preserve Velcro longevity.
• Protective storage: Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. A hemp drawstring cover is recommended for transport.
• Avoid excess heat: Do not leave the board in hot cars or direct sunlight. Heat affects timber and the varnish finish.
• Inspect and maintain: Check for grain separation or surface dulling. Recoat with marine-grade satin when required to maintain water resistance.
• Rinse after use: Rinse with fresh water after each session and allow to dry naturally in the shade.

A Legacy of Bodysurfing Design

Since the late 1980s, POD founder and designer Shane Vassallo has shaped and refined handboards - bodysurfing handplanes, hand planes, and handboards from select-grade Australian cedar and other timber species. That design lineage spans over 35 years of hands-on experimentation in real surf conditions and is documented in Successful 30 Years.

Learn More

• Choosing the right handboard: Explore sizing and design principles in How to Choose a Bodysurfing Handboard.
• Technique and use: Read How to Bodysurf with a Handboard for practical guidance.
• Bodysurfing with or without a board: Read Bodysurfing With or Without a Handboard.