Surf Products and Accessories-What You Need to Surf
Surfing is one of the best recreational sports and a healthy, fun and exciting activity. Surfing is an activity that everyone can enjoy. So what kind of surfboard, surf product or accessories will give you a day of fun and entertainment? What do you need to surf?
Waves are the most important thing you need to surf. You may ask, what kind of waves do I need? The answer to this question is simple; whatever wave is available to you. There are waves of all types and sizes, from the smallest and most undulating to the giant waves of Hawaii. Recreational surfers need and prefer small waves. However, you need the right surf products and accessories for all conditions.
To enjoy the waves you have to be prepared. This means that you may need several different types of surfboards and surf devices along with the necessary accessories to ride the waves that are available to surf on any given day. Every day is different and conditions will dictate that you need a different type of surfboard or surf device to ride the waves at your local beach break.
Here is a list of navigation products and devices you may want to consider:
- fins for swimming
- bodyboard
- skimboarding
- wakeboarding
- soft surf board
- surf shorts
- long surf board
- SIP
On some days the waves will be perfect little peelers for bodysurfing. To really take advantage of the waves, you need to have a pair of swim fins that fit you well. Fins will allow you to swim faster and get into the wave sooner, allowing you to ride on the shoulder of the wave like surfers and boogie board riders do. You want to get on the corner of the wave and get the green water out of the soup. This is exciting and you need fins to catch the waves and follow them. Fins will also allow you to ride the bigger waves as you get more skilled. Bodysurfing is a great way to have fun with your friends. Getting your group together and going to a suitable bodysurfing spot is a lot of fun.
Body boarding, or boogie boarding as I like to call it after my friend Tom Morey who invented the little board, is something you can do in almost any surf condition. It’s especially fun in small waves, which allow young children, beginners and seniors to ride and enjoy the sensation of riding waves. You can ride the foam and small waves to the sand. As you get more experienced, you’ll want to ride on the shoulders of the waves like surfboard riders. Eventually, if you’re experienced and good on the water, you can ride the biggest waves like some do in Hawaii and other select surf spots around the world.
Skimboarding is another surf sport that does not require big waves and is practiced close to shore, usually with smaller waves or even no waves at all. Some children even slip on wet grass where there are small mounds. Another thing you can do when there is no surf is ride a wakeboard. Wakeboarding is done behind a boat and can be done on wakeboards made especially to be towed behind a boat or you can ride your short, long, soft and hard surfboards. Some surfers, when they get skillful, let go of the rope and ride the waves generated by the wake of the boat. Don’t let the fact that there are no waves to surf at your chosen surf spot stop you from enjoying the water and riding the surfboard or other surfing device that will make your day a fun-filled experience.
You really need to have at least one type of surfboard that you can use for most surf conditions. It’s best if you have more than one, but stick with what you can afford. Selecting a surfboard or boards is a fun process, but selecting the right one is very important. You ask yourself, should I buy a soft surfboard or a hard surfboard? What length table should I buy? What are the surf conditions in which I will surf the most? Are they shore waves, head waves, big, medium or small? What is my level of experience that will justify the type of surfboard I choose? All of these questions need to be addressed. The type of surfboard and design you choose should be suitable for the normal conditions of the waves you will be surfing the most.
If you live on a lake, bay, pond, river, or ocean where surfing conditions are calm, you’ll probably want to own a SUP, which is also known as a Standup Paddleboard. SUPs have become one of the most popular surfing devices because they are big, stable and because they are also very easy to learn to paddle and ride. They can be ridden by people of all ages and the SUP has become a board that all members of a family can have and ride. SUP has become an excellent group and family activity that does not require surfing and can be done in almost any body of calm water.
What about surf accessories? What accessories do you need? Here is a list of the most essential:
- Wetsuit(s)
- rash guard
- wax
- surfboard leash
- Variety of fins and fin key
- travel bags
- Surfboard rack for your car
- Plastic container for wetsuits and changing mats
- Large towel
- Shorts; more than one pair
- sunscreen
- hide a key
- transport bag
- Money
- Water
- fins for swimming
Surfing is a sport that is practiced away from home. I recommend that you have all of the accessories listed above to meet the water conditions and surf activity of the day. You’ll need different items on different days, but some days you’ll use them all. Plan ahead and you will have success and fun on your surf days.
Before you go surfing, you should check the local surfing report from an online source like Surfline.com. What is the temperature of the water? Do you need a wetsuit? If so, what thickness suit do you need? Do you need boots or a hood to keep you warm? Maybe all you need is a spring wetsuit or maybe the water is warm enough to wear just your bathing suit. The options are many. Some of the wetsuits have short sleeves or short legs or combinations of long legs and short sleeves or vice versa. I would suggest that in moderate climates you have a spring outfit and a full suit. The spring suit should be 2.0 and the full suit should probably be 4/3 or 3/2 depending on prevailing water temperatures. Rash guards should be worn under wetsuits to prevent chafing. You may also want to wear one on a sunny day to prevent sunburn. These items will be used for all types of surfing.
Don’t forget to bring wax and a leash for your board. It seems that surfers forget this item or lose it in the water and are always looking for something. You need specific wax for water temperature conditions. Ask the people at the surf shop what type you need or read the labels and use the type you need based on the surf report. A practical tip is to keep your surfboard waxed and ready to ride at all times. It’s no fun having no wax and going out surfing with a slippery deck. You will slip and slide and fall off the board and end up not having a good surf. The other thing you need is a leash, especially if you have a long paddle, rough waves, or are surfing in a rocky area. Losing the board and having to swim again is not fun. If your surfboard gets damaged on the rocks, that will make things worse and ruin your day fast.
The rest of the items on the list are self explanatory. Make a checklist and be sure to check your accessory items before heading out to surf. There is no use leaving something behind that will make you have a bad day.
With all these thoughts in mind, get the right surfboard products and go to Surf Life. It is a wonder!!
