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The sport of bodyboarding has advanced to super-human levels. So Hubboard released a super-bodyboard collection. Shaped after pro bodyboarder Jared Houston’s board, prepare to be wowed by the Houston PE Deluxe bodyboard.
This bodyboard was made for getting pitted in the barrel, carving turns, or simply riding the whitewash. The PE core transitions this pro design from a pro’s only board to an anyone board. The quality of this product will get any boarder stoked to ride it repeatedly; it will hold up. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, you can dive in with this quality boogie board.
Things we like:
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All level riders can use this bodyboard and benefit from its high-performance -
Quality product made to last from a reliable bodyboard brand
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PE core and deck perform excellently in cold water
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One can start as a beginner and become an expert on this board
Things we don't like:
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Does not come with a leash or pre-installed leash plug
- Material: Polyethylene (PE) core
- Length: 33”, 39”, 41”
- Weight: 4.15 lbs
- Price: around $175
Shredding Ability & Ideal Waves
The Houston PE Delux Bodyboard is designed to rip up any size surf for any level rider. Modeled after pro-Jared Houston’s board shape, this polyethylene board can handle almost anything. The features of this board make it capable of any new-school tricks or old-school cutbacks. While riding this board, you will notice its speed while paddling or riding waves.
The ideal wave size for this bodyboard is anything. But if we had to put a number, consider 1ft to 10ft the sweet spot. The classic crescent tail shape provides a solid riding experience in nearly every size surf. In freight train-sized swell, you may want a board with a polypropylene core for increased board durability. However, the high-caliber shredding ability from the features of this board makes up for the lost core durability. The PE core is the cold-water surfer’s choice. So, if you are an expert rider in cold water, consider this board over the Houston PP Pro.
Who Should Ride this Board
Whether you are getting your feet wet for the first time or are an expert rider, this board holds something for you. The board’s design is beginner-friendly due to its core’s buoyancy and maneuverability. Catching waves in the whitewash is entirely possible. The crescent tail provides comfort when riding the board in the prone position. Even better, the board’s design will allow a beginner to progress to an expert.
Experts may steer towards the PP Pro version of this board; however, the PE Deluxe Version’s ceiling is very high. As mentioned earlier, pro bodyboarders like using PE cores in cold water due to flexion. Unless you are a pro-sponsored bodyboarder in the tropics, your riding ability will always be matched and potentially one-uped by the PE Deluxe.
High-End Bodyboard Materials
This board features a polyethylene core, the standard core in the bodyboard industry. This quality boogie board material has proven its durability, water resistance, and versatile performance. It was the original material used in the production of bodyboards. This core is less buoyant than its beginner-friendly counterpart, the EPS core. It is less durable and heavier than the pro-rated PP core. However, it is better for larger swell than EPS and more affordable and flexible than PP. It is the preferred core in cold water and for riders who want increased flex in big beach breaks. When holding this board, you can feel the significant weight increase of the PE core.
The 8lb PE Deck provides flex and comfort. However, PE decks lose their original shape and collect dents and creases over time. The alternative, more durable deck is the cross-linked PE deck, but some prefer the flexibility of this PE Deck. Houston’s deck has line contours to increase the performance of its deck. Their deck is also stylish and feels good to the touch. It truly makes for a pleasant riding experience. Cold-water bodyboarders prefer a PE deck.
The Houston PE Deluxe uses an HDPE Slick. This is the most common bodyboard slick. A slick is the bottom material of a board that interacts with the water’s surface. This is the cheaper and less achieving alternative to the Surlyn slick. Hubboard’s HDPE slick has a cool design and features channels. When riding this board, you can feel the speed the HDPE slick is capable of.
Performance-Oriented Board Shape
The 60/40 rails on Houston’s board shape raise the game. This rail combo is preferred by intermediate to advanced riders. The 60/40 rails offer a mixture of stability and maneuverability compared to 50/50 or 70/30 rails. The rails on the Houston PE are a great choice for an intermediate rider approaching bigger riding conditions. They give a snug feel to the hands while riding.
This boogie board has a crescent tail shape. The crescent tail is the traditional bodyboard shape, for good reason. This shape provides maximum riding comfort by hugging the torso. It also performs well in every shape and size of surf. This tail provides control and edge. Hubboard uses the crescent tail shape on all their Houston models for ultimate performance.
The graduated channels featured on the Houston PE Deluxe create an enhanced riding experience. Channels make water diverge from the board while riding on the water. This helps redirect water to go in the direction you want. The graduated channels on this bodyboard thoroughly increase its turning capability and grip, especially in bigger surf.
Additional Features & Specs
The Houston PE Deluxe has either two EXT Stringers on the 39” & 41″ size and one EXT Stringer on the 33” size. Stringers are an additional feature on a bodyboard. The EXT stringers provide structural support and increase the stiffness of a board, making larger surf more manageable and the board more durable overall. The EXT stringers provide improved control while riding the wave, making this board perform like a pro. When riding and holding this board, the stringers give an apparent stiffness.
Houston’s deck has line contours that are stylish, comfortable, and functional. The line contours provide a reference for correct body positioning and aid in critical situations. Bulbs on the slick have been added to the nose to increase your maximum grip strength. The nose bulbs on the Houston PE Deluxe provide better control and an agreeable riding experience.
Unfortunately, this board comes with no leash or leash plug. It would be great if Hubboard included a quality leash already installed for its beginner/intermediate-friendly PE board. However, installing a leash is relatively easy. All you need is a drill, a correct-sized drill bit, and a leash plug.
The additional features and specifications allow Hubboard’s champion board to perform like the winner it is. The Houston PE Deluxe is an outstanding bodyboard to start on and continue to be able to perform on for yours to come. Its stringers, contours, and board shape help elevate the performance to a pro level. While the PE core allows everyone to enjoy this high-performing board.
Quality Evaluation
Hubboard is a high-end bodyboard company created by world champion bodyboarders Jeff and Dave Hubbard. They have produced quality products since launching their cleverly named company in 2013. Their boards have been used to win multiple world championships.
The Houston PE Deluxe board is the well-rounded, more affordable board in the Houston lineup. The lineup comprises a PP Pro board, the Arrow PE entry board, and the Quad Core Sci-Five world champion board. Pro Jared Houston used the Quad Core Sci-Five to win the 2018 APB World Title. Safe to say, Hubboards makes a grade-A bodyboard. And the Houston PE Deluxe is just another example.
When unboxing the Houston PE Deluxe, the buyer is immediately satisfied with the quality. The feel and shape of the boogie board get you itching to get into the surf. And your body won’t be itching, as the PE top deck is soft and non-irritating.
Great Value for the Price
Having an MSRP of $190, this board brings bang (and longevity) for its buck. Produced by a reputable, family-owned company, the PE Deluxe bodyboard has a high value. Riders who will get the most for their money are those who ride medium-sized waves, are at an intermediate+ status, and are in cold water. Due to the high quality, the original buy-in will eventually even out due to a pleasurable riding experience in all wave conditions and years of usage.
We Recommend It!
After testing and researching the Houston PE Deluxe bodyboard, we recommended this product for beginner to expert riders in all swell under 12ft. This boogie board performs well for everyone, especially in cold water. You can ride prone, drop-knee, or stand up comfortably on this bodyboard. Designed by pros and modeled after a world championship-winning board, the PE core makes this board accessible to everyone at a relatively affordable buy-in. The specifications create a “no-ceiling” performance board capable of tube riding and ripping up the pocket.
Related Reviews
Things we like:
-
All level riders can use this bodyboard and benefit from its high-performance
-
Quality product made to last from a reliable bodyboard brand
-
PE core and deck perform excellently in cold water
-
One can start as a beginner and become an expert on this board
Things we don't like:
-
Does not come with a leash or pre-installed leash plug
Frequently asked questions
There is no difference between bodyboarding and boogie boarding; they are both names for the same activity. “Boogie board” was coined by Tom Morey in 1971. Bodyboard is the sports official name. The International Bodyboarding Corporation has turned boogie boarding into a uniformed professional sport, the World Bodyboard Tour.
Boogie boards are made of a combination of several materials. The core, deck, and slick are the parts of the board that make up the materials of a bodyboard.
The core is made of expanded polystyrene (EPS), Polyethylene (PE), or Polypropylene (PP). Recently, emerging companies like Hubboard have released a patented new Quad core. Be on the lookout for new hybrid core designs.
Decks are typically made of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) or cross-linked PE. HDPE is more affordable and less wrinkle-prone. While cross-linked PE will be more durable in big swell and flexible.
Choosing the right size boogie board depends on the height, weight, rider’s ability, and personal preference. Beginners or larger riders may want a wider bodyboard. While advanced riders or smaller riders might wish to have a narrower board.
The height of the bodyboard should typically come up to your belly button. Consider your weight and choose a board length varying a couple inches from your belly button proportional to your body weight. Pro or highly-skilled riders can opt to ride a shorter board for more speed and maneuverability. Beginner riders typically want a board an inch or two above their belly button to provide more stability.
Most boogie boards need to be waxed to perform well. You do not wax your board if you have one of those $15 cloth-covered EPS foam boogie boards. However, you wax your board if it has an HDPE or Surylyn slick (which most boards do). This board and all others included in our top 10 boogie board guide require waxing.
Choose a surf wax according to the water temperature you are bodyboarding in. There is tropical-water wax (72℉ and up), warm-water wax (between 65℉ and 72℉), cool-water wax (between 58℉ and 65℉), and cold-water wax (58℉ and under). To apply the wax, rub in a circular motion on the slick.
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