Introduction to Surf Equipment
In this section, we will take a look at the equipment you will be using when you go surfing. We will break down the anatomy…
Surf equipment intro lesson category
In this section, we will take a look at the equipment you will be using when you go surfing. We will break down the anatomy…
Surfing demands all of your attention, so being comfortable while surfing is really important. If you are constantly adjusting your outfit because you are uncomfortable,…
Introduction There are a lot of accessories that are needed for surfing, some are basic necessities while others are optional. The surf industry has a…
Introduction
There are a lot of accessories that are needed for surfing, some are basic necessities while others are optional. The surf industry has a variety of competing brands, some high end quality products, and others more basic low end stuff. In this section, we will cover all accessories that are necessary to get you started and take a look at the major surf industry brands.
Some of these products have slight variations to them and we won't go into great detail, but the goal here is to make sure you are equipped for your purchase to get started as a beginner surfer.
Leash
The leash attaches to your back foot and the surfboard, so that when you fall you won’t lose your board. When you purchase a leash, it comes with:
Leashes come in different sizes. They can range from 4 feet to 12 feet in length and they come in different thicknesses as well. Your leash should be the same length or slightly longer than your board. For example, if you have a 6 foot 7 inch, surfboard then you would want to get a leash that is 7 foot. If your board is 6 foot 4 inches, you could probably choose between a 6 foot or a 7 foot leash. Leashes are only available for purchase in increments of full feet and that’s why we suggest a 7 foot leash for a board that is 6 foot 7 inches.
Our recommendation when choosing a leash is to get a thicker one, rather than thin when you start out. The reason leashes come in different thicknesses is when you are trying to surf high performance, you don’t want any drag from the leash and at the beginner level it’s not going to make a difference.
Different Brands on the Market
Our top 5 picks:
We can also highly recommend Ho Stevie! surf products as they offer high quality products at more affordable prices.
Conclusion to Leashes
Leashes are pretty standard and it doesn't really matter what leash you have as long as the leash is a similar length to your board, the velcro is in good condition, and the leash cord doesn’t have any breaks or cuts in it. Remember the leash should always go on your back foot when you're surfing and make sure that the swivel is on the outside of your ankle.
Pro tips:
Fins/Skegs
Fins go at the bottom of the surfboard and help you steer the board. If you didn't have them, it would be very difficult to have control over the surfboard. There are many different types of fins and we won’t go into great detail about size and rake (curve) of the fins but there are differences and they may have a slight effect on your performance. As a beginner, this effect is hardly noticeable and definitely not something you will need to pay attention to.
Different Types of Fin Setups
There are many different types of fin setups, we will focus on the four main setups and how they may affect your surfing. Fin boxes are either fiberglassed or glued into the surfboard so they are not interchangeable. The type of fin box on the surfboard will determine what set of fins you will need to buy.
Different Fin Boxes
There are three main types of fin boxes, these boxes are what attach the fin to the surfboard and are either glassed into the board or glued in. The type of fin boxes will determine the type of fins you will need. It’s like a charger for your phone, there are many different types and they aren’t compatible with each other.
FCS I
This is an older set up. This is a two pronged setup with two rectangular inserts. The FCS I fin setup is an old setup that is less common these days but is still one of the most common fin boxes. If you have an FCS I fin box, you will have to buy FCS I fins. The fin system uses two screws for each fin to hold the fins in place
FCS II
The FCS II setup is an updated version of the FCS I setup and is more commonly sold today. The fin setup uses a slightly different base to the FCS I setup and the usage of screws is optional because the fin boxes have a small, button like plastic bit in them that helps keep the fins in place. The new design was developed to make fins easily changeable and has good application in competition. However, for the average person we always recommend adding at least one screw to the fins to help prevent losing the fins. FCS II fins are relatively expensive and are sold in sets, so losing just one fin is a pain.
FCS II fin boxes are compatible with FCS I fins but the FCS I fins require an extension in order to fit properly. FCS II fin boxes use the same screws as FCS I fins and the fin boxes are fiberglassed into the surfboard.
Futures
The Futures fin box is distinct and incompatible with FCS I and FCS II. The Futures fin has a whole base that fits into the fin box. With this fin setup there is only one screw at the front of the fin box. The fin box is fiberglassed into the surfboard making it very rigid. Personally, I prefer Futures fins over the other two fin box systems because of their ease to install.
Conclusion to Fins
A new set of fins can be relatively expensive, so it's a good idea to make sure you look after them and don’t lose them. The issue with fins is that they are sold in sets and if you lose one fin, it can be hard to find just one fin and you may be forced to buy a new set. When you are starting out with surfing, it doesn't really matter what type of fins you get.
There are two main materials fins are made of: plastic and fiberglass. The hard PVC plastic doesn't perform as well as fiberglass fins, but plastic fins are cheaper, more durable, and don’t hurt as much when they knock you. We recommend just getting a cheap pair of plastic fins when you are first learning to surf.
Tail Pad (aka Traction Pad) and Deck Pad
Tail pads are an optional accessory, but we recommend having one as they have multiple benefits. The tail pad is made of a rubber like material and acts as an extra grip for your foot. This is especially helpful because your back foot needs to stick to your board as best it can. The tail pad also serves as an indicator for your back foot when you are ready to perform turns.
Pro tip: When putting on your tail pad, make sure you line it up so it's centered on the board. Also, make sure the tail pad sits just above your leash plug.
A deck pad is similar to a tail pad, but is placed towards the front of the board, where your front foot goes when standing. Deck pads aren't necessary or as widely adopted as a tail pads, but they are gaining popularity.
Different Brands of Tail Pads
Top 5 picks:
Again, Ho Stevie! also makes a great quality deck pad at an affordable price.
Surf Necessities
Wax
Surf wax is similar to candle wax, but is definitely not the same thing. You will have to purchase surf wax from a surf shop and cannot use other waxes like skateboard or candle wax. Wax is essential to providing you would grip on the board. It is applied to the deck of your surfboard. If you are slipping and sliding on your surfboard, you probably don’t have enough wax on your board.
Surf wax also comes in different temperature grades, so make sure you are using the right wax for the right temperature. This grading is meant to represent the temperature of the ocean, not land, and will clearly state the temperature range on the packaging.
Application
Pro tip: Avoid leaving wax in a hot environment, such as sitting the sun or a hot car. This will melt your wax and make it hard to apply to the surfboard.
Wax Comb
A wax comb is a plastic comb that is used for scraping wax off your board and roughening old wax. Wax combs are an essential tool and should not be overlooked.
If you have decided not to wax your board before the surf, or have potentially run out of wax, you can use the comb to roughen up the existing layer, which will give the wax more grip.
Good wax combs usually come with a bottle opener and a fin key.
Fin Key
A fin key is an allen key of a specific size that you use to screw and unscrew fins into your board. They are small and easy to lose, so it could be a good idea to attach one to your keys or keep one in your wallet.
Be careful when using a fin key. If you over tighten your fins, there is a possibility of stripping the screw. If you strip the screw, it can be hard to get the fins out or to screw the fins back in.
Sunblock
There are many different kinds of sunblock on the market. Our recommendation is anything over SPF 50 with protection against UVA and UVB. Sunblock can be relatively expensive, so use it sparingly.
Make sure you apply sunblock at least 15 minutes before you go into the ocean as it needs to set into the skin. Otherwise, the sunblock will come off quickly.
Avoid buying sunblock with Benzophenone-3, BP-3, as this chemical stops coral reproduction.
Avoid applying runny sunblock onto the face, specifically above the eyes. Even if the sunblock says that it is water resistant, the sunblock can still run down into the eyes. Instead, use Zinc.
Zinc
Zinc is a thick paste, generally made from zinc oxide. It should be applied on the face, but not on the rest of the body. Zinc can be hard to remove, but unlike sunblock, zinc can be applied above the eyes because of how thick it is.
Board Sock
A board sock is a material sleeve that goes over your surfboard to protect it from the sun and damage. They are made in different shapes and sizes. Make sure to get a board sock that is slightly bigger, rather than slightly smaller than your board. Board socks are good for everyday use.
Board Bag
A board bag is a padded bag used to transport your board. There are different kinds of board bags:
A day bag comes with little padding, but is lightweight and durable for road trips. Usually, a day bag only fits one surfboard.
A travel bag comes with substantial padding. A travel bag is best for long distance travel on planes, buses, and trains. This kind of bag can fit one or two boards.
A coffin has substantial padding. A board coffin fits multiple surfboards and is best for long distance and short distance travel if you need to bring more than 3 boards.
Booties
Booties are wetsuit boots for your feet. They have two functions depending on where you live:
Reef: Reef booties can be used to help walk over sharp reefs or give you peace of mind when surfing over reef breaks. The reef can often be sharp and if you aren't careful, your feet will get cut up.
Cold water: If you live in an area with cold water then booties are used to keep your feet warm.
Hood
A hood is a cover that goes over your head and is made from rubber or wetsuit material. It can be used to protect you from the sun, but is more commonly used in cold environments to keep you warm.
Gloves
Gloves are used to keep you warm in very cold environments.
Ear Plugs
Small rubber ear plugs are usually used to keep water out of your ears. These aren't a necessity, but can help prevent ear infections and surfers ear.
Ear infections generally occur in warm water environments due to bacteria. Ear infections can be painful and must be treated with an antibiotic.
Surfers ear generally occurs in cold windy environments. The ear canal starts to develop a growth as response to the cold and wind. Surfers ear can be quite painful and requires surgery to remove.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses are a necessity, not when you are in the water, but as often as you can when on land. Your eyes will get enough sun exposure when you are surfing, therefore you should protect them when you can. Sunglasses should have UVA and UVB protection and polarization is an added bonus.
It is possible to wear sunglasses in the water and some people do opt for the option. However, they can be quite annoying and interfere with your surfing.
One common issues that surfers develop is called a pterygium. This is a growth on the eye that occurs due to sun exposure and requires surgery to fix.
Surf Hat
Surf hats are made to float and include a chin strap.
Ding Repair Kit
If you have a fiberglass board, you are more than likely going to damage it at some point. Getting it repaired can be costly and time consuming. If you have a ding repair kit and the ding is small, you can quickly repair it yourself to save money and time.
Contents of a Ding Kit
How to do a Quick Fix
A quick fix should only to be applied to small dings on a surfboard. For this, you will need is some solar resin (solar resin is a form of resin that is UV activated), a small piece of sanding paper, and some cling wrap or other clear plastic film.
Step 1: Make sure the ding is dry.
Step 2: Sand the area around the ding and remove any loose bits.
Step 3: Clean the area that you have just sanded.
Step 4: Prepare the solar resin and cling wrap or clear sheet.
Step 5: Apply solar resin to the ding in a shaded area (if you do this in the full sun, the resin will harden before you can place it).
Step 6: Apply clear film over the UV resin (this will help flatten the applied resin, so you don't have to sand it too much later).
Step 7: Leave in the sun to dry.
Step 8: Lightly sand the resin area until all bumps are gone.
It can be hard to repair dings and it takes time to learn how to. Ding repair kits should be used for small, insignificant dings and unless you are skilled, we suggest rather sending your board to a professional.
Conclusion to Surf Accessories
Proper planning prevents poor performance. It’s a good idea to know what accessories you need in what environment so, do some research about your area. Not all of these are necessary and some are only necessary in certain places. The following items are necessary no matter where you are:
Photo 2: George Greenough
Photo 3: Mark Richards
Photo 4: Simon Anderson
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