1. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight is public enemy #1. When you're done riding, put your board in the shade. Store it in a garage or on a shaded porch, not lying on the back lawn. If you own a bodyboard bag, USE it.
2. Heat is also extremely damaging. Don't leave your bodyboard in front of a heater or locked up car in the direct sun. If you must leave it in the car on a hot day, put something over it, or just put it in the trunk.
3. Never leave your bodyboard near a campfire. They don't have to be as close as you may think. Just the heat by the side of a fire is enough to melt you board. Flying sparks can also do a real number on your board.
4. Rinse off your board with fresh water after every use. It is very important to get all the salt off.
5. Don't leave heavy weights sitting on top of it. If it is stacked with other boards, make sure surfboard fins are never sitting on the top of the bodyboard. They will slice right through the foam.
6. Don't leave your bodyboard where animals can get to it, especially dogs or cats. They think it's a big toy an tear the heck out of it. No kidding.
7. Most bodyboards are very flexible, but don't bend one in half just to see how far it will go. It will bend, but extreme flexing will cause the cells inside the board to break and weaken the structure.
8. Don't use it as a skimboard.
9. The main thing is common sense. Just because it is made from foam,
doesn't mean it can't be wrecked like a fiberglass surfboard. Treat it
with the same respect as an expensive wetsuit or surfboard.
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