Bodysurfing Handplane Review

Took my Otter handplane with me on a work trip to Costa Rica, figuring that if I found a spare hour I’d sneak off and ride some waves. Best decision I made all trip. It slotted straight into my suitcase with zero fuss and turned into the perfect travel companion — small enough to not raise an eyebrow at check-in, tough enough to handle whatever the ocean threw at it.

And the ocean threw plenty. The swell picked up more than expected, and the Otter held its own beautifully in bigger surf — solid, predictable, no wobble or flex when it mattered. Genuinely impressed with how it performed once things got a bit lumpy.

One less flattering moment: a decent-sized wave decided my board shorts weren’t part of the deal and unceremoniously ripped them clean off mid-ride. Nothing like resurfacing in Costa Rica to a very public wardrobe malfunction. Lesson learned — and passed on to you: go two sizes down on your board shorts before handplaning in anything with real power behind it. Loose shorts and big surf are not friends.

Otherwise — brilliant bit of kit, packs light, surfs heavy. Highly recommend.

Thanks Matt!

Our handplanes are the perfect travel companion, view our range here…

All of our sustainable, wooden wavecraft are made using wood from local, regenerative woodlands and are intended for a lifetime of waves. Custom made or make your own.