The Dominant FLO 375mm 15inch Cedar Walnut POD® Handboard – Engineered for Powerful Wave Riding
Discover the unmatched craftsmanship of our FLO 375mm (15-inch) solid Cedar and Walnut POD bodysurfing handplanes. Each FLO board is a testament to design and skill, meticulously shaped to harness the full force of the ocean. The name 'FLO' encapsulates the effortless speed, incredible lift, and dominant flow you'll experience as you ride the wave, pushing the limits of your body surfing.
Command the Wave: Unrivalled Planing for Speed and Stability
The FLO 375mm (15-inch) POD Handboard is designed for bodysurfers who demand maximum lift, exceptional speed, and superior stability, especially in larger, more powerful surf. Its expansive 37.5cm x 21.8cm hydrodynamic planing surface area generates formidable lift (110 kg/242.5 lb lifting force), allowing for earlier wave entry, sustained speed down the line, and enhanced control in critical sections. This board is the ultimate choice for:
- Experienced Elite Bodysurfers: Seeking to maximise their performance in challenging or open-face conditions.
- Big Wave Confidence: Provides the stability and drive needed to confidently take on larger swells.
- Extended Rides and Flow: The increased planing surface translates to longer, more exhilarating rides with an effortless "flow" across the wave.
- Maximising Lift and Speed: Engineered to deliver the highest lift and propulsion within the POD wooden handboard range.
Signature Shape POD Wood Craftsmanship:
Like all our wooden hand planes, the FLO embodies decades of passion and precision. It features a robust walnut centre, acting like a surfboard stringer for inherent strength, expertly laminated with lighter-weight cedar wings that function like performance wings. This combination not only ensures superior durability but also showcases the natural wood grain variations and contrasting colours, making each FLO hand surfer a truly one-of-a-kind piece of art. Crafted with CAD computer-aided design, precision CNC machining, laser engraving, and meticulously hand-finished and hand-assembled, the FLO is a testament to enduring quality.
Unmatched Comfort and Control Features:
Every POD wooden handboard is designed for an intuitive connection with the wave.
- World-First Ergonomic Palm Support: Our innovative convex deck, with an ergonomic palm hold, perfectly cradles your hand, relieving arm muscle stress commonly associated with flat-deck hand planes. This design ensures your hand stays securely in its natural swimming posture, directly above the board's pivot point and keel fin.
- Superior Strap System: The custom-built 50mm/2-inch retainer insert plugs, unlike smaller surfboard plugs, securely anchor a robust 65mm/2.5-inch wide double-padded neoprene strap. This eliminates discomfort and skin irritation, ensuring a snug, reliable fit that allows you to focus purely on your ride.
- Signature Hydrodynamic Bottom: The deep 20 mm concave bottom, integrated with a keel fin, is explicitly engineered for rapid lift versus force. This dynamic design provides instant lifting force, speed, and precision control, assisting your wave-holding skills, preventing sideways sliding, and minimising water spray towards your face.
Here are the detailed specifications of the FLO 375mm/15inch Handplane:
- Volume: 953 cm3 or 953 ml/0.2517 US Liquid gallon
- Lifting Force: Up to 110 kg/242.508 lb
- Size: L 375 mm/15 inch x W 218 mm/8.25 inches x D 45 mm/1.61 inches
- Weight: 460 to 480 grams or 1.01413 to 1.05822 pounds (will vary due to grain density)
- Deck: Convex with Palm Hold and Support
- Bottom: Deep 20 mm Concave with Keel Fin
- Strap System: Hand strapped into natural swimming position above pivot point/keel fin, 50mm/2inch Custom POD Designed Hand Strap Retainer, 65mm/2.5inches Double Padded Neoprene, 50mm/2inch Adjustable Webbing Hand Strap.
- Adjustable Wrist Leash: Left-handed users can change the wrist cord to the left side.
- Finish: Laser Engravings, Satin Finish.
Longevity and Care for Your POD Wooden Handboard:
To ensure your premium wooden handboard lasts for generations, follow the advice to properly care for your investment.
- Strap Advice: We highly recommend adjusting the hand strap snugly once. For subsequent sessions, simply slide your hand between the strap and the deck palm support. This practice ensures the Velcro remains attached and extends its lifespan for many years.
- Protective Case: Your investment is safeguarded by an environmentally friendly, reusable packaging foam case with a Hemp Drawstring Cover. This material boasts excellent impact resistance, moisture resistance, and waterproofing, making it a "never-recession material" for protecting your board.
A Legacy of Bodysurfing Innovation:
POD founder and artisan Shane Vassallo has passionately hand-shaped each handboard from select-grade Australian or Canadian cedar and other rare wood species for over three decades. His journey and expertise are extensively documented in our blog post 'Successful 30 Years,' detailing the rich history and evolution of our handboards. Click here to read more.
Explore More and Enhance Your Ride:
- Choosing Your Ideal Handboard: What is the correct size bodysurfing handboard that will best suit the individual? Click here to discover more at 'Human Hydrofoil'.
- Master Your Technique: Click here; POD Handboard Tips are available at 'How to Bodysurf with a Handboard'.
- Body Surfing Freestyle or Assisted?: Click here to read more about 'Mastering the Waves Without or With a Handboard - Techniques and Skills'.
10 Reviews Hide Reviews Show Reviews
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Flo Handplane
The Flo is a beautiful, well-shaped hardboard. It feels solid and a bit heavier than my other boards, but that actually works in its favor out on the water. The shape gives it great lift, and the mini keel helps it track nicely. I've been using it here in Thailand—first session was at Klong Dao Beach on Koh Lanta. For a board this size, it gave me early lift and turned short rides into longer ones, with enough speed to get through the flatter sections of the wave. The Flo definitely earned a spot in my carry-on.
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I highly recommend their product and service
I bought thus as birthday present for my partner and he absolutely loves it! We had a small delivery hiccup, but Shane was super quick to sort it out. We'll definitely be buying from them again.
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FLO 375mm
After reading up on why this handplane is crafted the way it is i pulled the pin and bought one. Couldn't be happier, noticed the difference on my first wave compared to my flat surfaced one. The shape just creates so much lift that you really get out of the water and have almost zero splash back in your face when surfing. Was exactly what I was looking for to get more out of my body surfing!
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Heartfelt Thanks
Heartfelt thanks to you Shane . Full credit and congratulations to what you have created with POD Shane, your boards are beyond magnificent and provide such love and joy to so many. You are the master of your craft with your giving heart and soul resonating in every individual piece .
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wonderful piece of art
It’s Wills here from Phuket Thailand, sat in pride of place on the wall for 5 months waiting for some surf only to be locked down right up until now, well yesterday when the beaches finally opened again. Wow! I mean Shane Wow. What a wonderful piece of art you have created. We had a couple of whopper Monsoons hit are area and a magic swell appeared just as Beaches reopened, like it was a call from the Buddha Haha. Many Russians here all fascinated with you Pod Handboards but I won’t sell it to them unless they pay enough for me to replace it including DHL from Sydney haha. My next challenge is to find some bigger rolling waves but again armed with 3 designs of your marvellous handboards I’m sure enjoy even more. Thank again Shane for all your marvellous work
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Flo handboard flows
Do yourself a favour and grab one of these boards! Not only do they look awesome, they perform as well. Handles all conditions well, but the bigger the swell gets the better the Flo handles. Holds a line easily. It’s a bit heavier than the glass handboards I’m used to, but definitely doesn’t hinder paddling into a wave. Huge thumbs up to Shane for his service. When my board arrived there was a slight crack in the timber, I contacted Shane just in case it became an issue at a later date. Shane got in touch straight away and offered to swap the board over. Couldn’t ask for better than that.
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For bigger waves this is incredible
I've been using Shane's pods for 24 years now, i honestly thought that the original Pod was the best design but this is another level. The Flo board allows me to catch the kind of waves that make my heart skip a beat, those big rolling sets that were always a little dicey are now thrilling with the speed and power the Flo provides... Highly recommended for bigger surf, i've had it for 2 months now. If your more of a small wave rider the Woo board i got my Dad is awesome, the Flo is better for bigger waves but i'm jealous of his when it's only 1-2 foot.
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Pod Flo Handplane
First thing you notice is how easy it is to swim with this 15” plane. First thing you don’t notice - as it’s so comfortable - is the padded, adjustable hand strap. On the wave, you get massive lift, and speed, but also control. Trying out the Pod is like the first time you ride a proper motorcycle. On a lot of surf craft there’s usually some sort of compromise in how it functions: on weight, speed, hold, whatever. Thumbs up for the Pod though, it’s spot on.
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Great start to the week... my pod arrived.
As part of my birthday present, the pets of my household (two cats and one hyper dog) ordered me this work of art. And now it's finally here. So excited...I can small the cedar, and I can't wait to launch her. A few thoughts so far. Wow, the attention to detail is fantastic. Three pieces of timber, cedar and walnut, laminated together and then shaped to have a concave hull, lift and then an amazing keel. The deck is raised to provide a comfortable pad for your palm. Wood quality is fantastic. Hand strap is strong, you could lift a car with it, but nicely padded for comfort. It came with a protective hemp bag (again well made) for storing and transport. Even the packaging for this was well made!! I choose a darker cedar as it reminds me of my 70's childhood. So thankful to Shane for offering me a choice, and his thoughts on size board for me. I have been using the original and love it, so I know this work of art is going to perform.