Bodysurfing Handboards – Original Signature Shape Handcrafted Wood POD® Handboard Since 1993
The Original Handcrafted POD® Handboard represents the foundation of our bodysurfing design philosophy. This is the board that defined the POD signature shape and set the benchmark for lift, control, and natural hand feel long before handboards became widely available.
Each board is precision-machined and meticulously hand-finished from solid timber, ensuring consistent hydrodynamic shape while 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, making every piece truly one of a kind.
Since the late 1980s, POD founder and shaper Shane Vassallo has personally overseen the shaping and refinement of this signature design. Crafted from select-grade Australian cedar, this handboard reflects decades of experimentation, wave testing, and refinement in real surf conditions. The result is a handboard that feels natural in the water, balanced in the hand, and fluid in motion.
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. The board is supplied in a black drawstring neoprene bag for protection and storage.
This handboard is produced in limited quantities and is intended for bodysurfers who value craftsmanship, heritage, and connection as much as performance. It is not a mass-produced item; it is a continuation of a design lineage that has remained relevant for over three decades.
Board Feature Impact Results
All POD handboard decks are Convex, providing natural comfort in the palm of the hand and maintaining a relaxed swimming position without strain.
The bottom surface features a Concave profile with an integrated Keel fin, delivering optimum lift, speed, and control while minimising drag and unwanted splash-back.
This combination creates a rapid lift-to-force ratio, allowing the board to plane efficiently across the wave face without sliding downward. The result is improved wave holding, cleaner lines, and reduced water spray toward the face, essential for controlled, confident bodysurfing.
The Original Handcrafted POD Handboard is designed to feel like a natural extension of your hand rather than an object you are holding. That sense of flow, balance, and connection is what has defined this board since its inception.
8 Reviews Hide Reviews Show Reviews
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Very Happy With Pod Classic
This board is beautiful! Had an amazing first session with it Thursday evening. Wow. Awesome! I bodysurf here at the Jersey Shore. Thursday we had waves 2-3+, clean, offshore breeze, nice conditions and the board performed wonderfully. Slippery, but too nice to smear wax on it, I think :) I'll deal with that some other way. The board is longer than what I am used to, and I realized straight away that I would have to modify my swimming stroke and practice with it. I found myself lifted up on a plane, sliding along very fast with this Pod. Had way too much fun with it this first time......Stayed in til sunset, coming close to hypothermia!! Despite all the gear, my hands were so numb and useless I could not unvelcro the fin tethers; nor the fins; nor the Pod leash!!! I remember laughing, thinking "Holy Cow! I can't drive home like this!" Yeah, I eventually got 'em off. It's what happens when you do this stuff at age 66 :) Good stuff. Great board, great service, highly recommend. As a matter of fact, I just ordered the Woo. Supposedly for my son, but um, I may have to keep it for myself;)
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Classy
This is a fantastic example of a well thought through and executed concept, a design that's changed little over the 24 years I've been using Pod handboards. Compared to the new range this somehow went from being modern to a vintage classic, like a Wassily chair or the lemon juicer by Philippe Starck - a classic functional item of beauty - pick one up while you still can.
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Pod original handcrafted
3 things I love about this handplane: ▪️ It’s weighted perfectly for swimming without being too light for chop ▪️ A wide comfortable strap ▪️ Goes like a hot knife through butter, smoothest, fastest ride you’ll find
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Fantastic product
I want to thank you for a fantastic product. I just love the Wooden Hand Surfer. I have been using it regularly through the summer in small sucky beach breaks to large outside 4-5 foot bombs. I am amazed at how differently it performs compared to the plastic Pod. Thanks heaps
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Australia's 1 Bodysurfing Handboard
Thanks Shane, by far the best timber handboards available! I made the big mistake, bought another brand it was to small no concave, just a flat surface, not even a nice outer shape, a thin hand strap connected to a leg rope plug? Another badly positioned plug for a wrist strap, that was not even supplied. Your boards are so well designed, but most of all they are a great size, I get so much more lift out of the water in good condition all the way my lower legs and fins, amazing difference in my bodysurfing.
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Well designed and made
Having used the wooden handboard a couple of times, I have found it easy to use.
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Incredible, love it
Amazing product - the normal pods are fantastic but the timber is really something special, light and speedy, even looks great hanging on the wall during the colder months. Truly an item to treasure I even have a pelican case to store it in. I'm a true fan Shane, please continue the good work, the fins are great too.
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Absolutely Great
I'm from the States and I've had my timber for a couple years now, without a doubt the best handboard that I have ever used. Most other handboards are clunky and this one delivers on every level. I get a lot of people asking about it and I'm glad to see you have a shop to refer them to.
