WOW 13" POD Handboard | Unrivalled Bodysurfing Performance

The WOW 13" POD® handboard represents the most complete expression of POD design philosophy to date. It brings together decades of handboard shaping experience with long-awaited advances in material formulation, resulting in a maintenance-free bodysurfing handplane built for control, comfort, and long-term durability.

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

Why the WOW Exists

For many years, POD handboards were shaped primarily in timber and polypropylene, each with known strengths and limitations. The WOW 13" exists because material technology finally allowed those limitations to be addressed without compromise.

The goal was not to replace wooden handboards, but to create a handplane that:

• Remains lightweight without fragility
• Delivers controlled flex without excess fatigue
• Requires no sealing, drying, or ongoing maintenance
• Retains the signature POD lift, control, and feel in the water

The result is a handboard shaped around how bodysurfers actually use their equipment over time, in real conditions, across repeated sessions.

From the Designer

After decades of shaping, testing, and refining handboards, the WOW 13" represents a long-awaited convergence of material knowledge, design freedom, and functional intent. In this short video, the designer explains what led to its development and how it fits within the broader POD® philosophy.

Material Choice - Custom PU Formulation

The WOW 13" is manufactured using a proprietary polyurethane formulation developed specifically for bodysurfing handboards. This formulation was chosen after extensive testing for its ability to balance weight, density, and rigidity, a combination rarely achieved in handplane construction.

Unlike heavier recycled plastics or sealed timber, this custom PU provides:

• Predictable flex characteristics
• Strong surface durability
• Consistent buoyancy
• Resistance to dents, cracking, and water absorption

The material choice allows the board to perform reliably without the care requirements associated with wood, while maintaining the clean response and durability serious riders expect.

Weight, Buoyancy, and Control

At approximately 330-350 grams, the WOW 13" is around 25% lighter than comparable wooden handboards of similar size, while remaining robust and stable in the water.

For context, a handboard of this volume manufactured from raw polypropylene would weigh approximately 710 grams, significantly increasing the load on the arm and wrist. The WOW’s reduced weight improves paddling freedom and responsiveness, while helping reduce unnecessary fatigue over long sessions.

Despite its low mass, the board delivers strong net buoyancy, allowing it to sit higher in the water during paddling and transition smoothly onto the wave face. In real terms, that helps the rider keep movement cleaner and more controlled once the system is working correctly.

Hydrodynamics - Signature POD Shape

The WOW 13" uses POD’s proven signature shape, the only curved handboard profile in the range, developed to work with water flow in a way that supports usable lift, cleaner control, and reduced splashback.

A deep 18 mm concave bottom, combined with an integrated keel fin, helps the board stay higher and track more cleanly through the water. Rather than forcing water upward toward the face, the shape is designed to guide flow more efficiently across the board and support smoother movement through the wave.

This matters because speed does not come from the handboard alone. It comes from the interaction between body position, trim, control, and surface connection. The board’s job is to help hold and refine that energy once the rider is engaged correctly.

Ergonomics - Palm Support and Natural Hand Position

Comfort and control are central to the WOW design. The convex deck features POD’s ergonomic palm support, shaped to mirror the natural curvature of the human hand.

This design:

• Supports a neutral wrist position
• Reduces strain during extended sessions
• Improves control without excessive grip pressure

The hand sits directly above the board’s pivot point and keel fin, allowing the board to work with natural swimming mechanics rather than against them. Designed to work with your body position, not replace it, this layout helps the rider stay connected without adding unnecessary tension through the hand and forearm.

Flex Rebound - Load Reduction

The WOW’s custom PU formulation provides controlled flex with measurable rebound. This characteristic helps absorb and return energy during wave engagement, reducing sustained load through the wrist, arm, and shoulder.

Rather than feeling rigid or unstable, the board responds dynamically, delivering a smoother and less fatiguing bodysurfing experience across varied conditions. It does not create speed, but it helps the rider hold flow, stay comfortable, and stay more composed as pressure builds through the wave.

Strap System and Retainers

Custom recessed POD® strap retainers are integrated into the board, designed to suit a 50 mm webbing strap paired with a 65 mm double-padded neoprene hand strap.

This system:

• Distributes pressure evenly across the hand
• Improves security without over-tightening
• Reduces irritation associated with narrow straps

An adjustable wrist leash allows left- or right-handed configuration depending on preference and wave direction. The full strap system is designed to keep the board connected and predictable, so the rider can focus on body position, trim, and timing rather than fighting unstable equipment.

Who This Handboard Is For

The WOW 13" is suited to bodysurfers and handboard riders who:

• Want a lightweight, maintenance-free handplane
• Surf in a wide range of conditions
• Prefer predictable lift and control
• Value long-term durability over seasonal replacement

It performs equally well for regular use, travel, and demanding surf environments.

For riders interested in timber construction, the Hand Body Soul® wood handboards explore the same signature shape in cedar and walnut. If a maintenance-free option is preferred, the WOW 13" offers a lightweight alternative, weighing approximately 25% less than comparable wooden boards.

WOW 13" Handboard Specifications

• Volume: 788 cm³ (788 ml / 0.206 US gallons)
• Planing Lift: Up to 100 kg / 220 lb
• Upward Buoyant Force: Up to 30 kg / 66 lb
• Size: 330 mm (13") × 210 mm (8.25") × 43 mm (1.69")
• Weight: 330-350 g (0.73-0.77 lb)
• Deck: Convex with ergonomic palm support
• Bottom: 18 mm deep concave with integrated keel fin
• Finish: Matt
• Strap System:
  • 50 mm adjustable webbing hand strap
  • 65 mm double-padded neoprene
  • Adjustable wrist leash

Note: Due to formulation variation, final weight may vary by ±5% without affecting performance or durability.

Care and Longevity

Rinse the handboard with fresh water after use and allow it to dry in the shade. Avoid leaving the board in direct sunlight or inside a hot vehicle, as excessive heat can degrade materials over time.