Sports

The Essential Equipment Checklist for Beginner Surfers

If you’re new to surfing, it’s a safe bet you don’t have a surfboard.

And you know what ?

That’s okay, most surfers rent or use their board and surf equipment.

Now if you want to take the next step and have your own equipment, you’ve come to the right place Brice!

If you don’t want to blow up the mortgage on the house, you don’t have to buy all of the following all at once! Be patient, go through our list and decide which items you really need now and which can wait until the next payday!

  1. Not surprisingly: the surfboard!

This is probably the first thing you will need if you are a beginner surfer looking for some serious practice.

For beginners, we would tend to recommend a larger surfboard that will help you once in the water. If you don’t know the trusted shop to buy your surfing equipment, just go to easy-surfshop.com and buy all essential surfing gear at an affordable price..

At the same time, go spend a little time in specialized stores to collect information on the choice of the board. I’m talking about a real specialty store, not a decathlon.

If you plan to take your surfboard on a trip, also consider the handy carry bag.

When you travel with your surfboard, there is a good chance that it will hit something at some point. Surfboard travel bags make all the difference and save you the trouble of patching small cracks.

Most travel bags come with 10mm thick foam padding, and you should go for a bag that is at least as thick. Unfortunately, they are expensive, to give you an idea, a good surf bag can cost between 400 € and 500 €!

Well, since this is for beginners, go again for second hand carry bags, or no bag at all. It’s true that renting a board on site if you’re traveling is so much more convenient, it takes the stress out of leaving your board in an airplane hold and the hassle of transportation.

We summarize:

the surfboard is not compulsory, you can rent it. If you want yours and are just starting out, go to the used market

if you plan to travel to go surfing, two choices. Either you don’t bother with your board or buy it a carry bag to protect it from damage. Problem, the painful can quickly skyrocket.

  1. A good wetsuit

” How much does it cost ? “

To this question you will always have the same answer: it depends!

It’s like asking how much a car costs, you’ll get it at all costs. So before you go shopping, work out your budget!

Don’t be fooled by marketing and keep in mind that a good suit is first and foremost a suit that serves its primary purpose – to protect you from the elements!

  1. Appropriate surf clothing

The surf clothes that make up your closet depend entirely on where you go to surf.

Consider not only the surf destination, but also seasonality, as temperatures can vary throughout the year. Do your research on the average water temperature.

Then decide if you can surf in a swimsuit or a wetsuit.

Surf tshirt (rashguard)

Surfer in a bikini, it’s not to say, it’s the foot!

Who doesn’t love that feeling of freedom, the warm water that kisses your bare skin … and the rashes that appear on your skin at the end of the day?

This is where the surf t-shirt can protect:

  • cuts
  • sunburns
  • surfboard wax which is not very pleasant on the skin
  • Short sleeves or long sleeves, it’s up to you. Some offer an SPF 50+.
  • Surf boots

If you know cold water, take a pair of slippers with you for your surf session.

In addition to making your feet warmer, they protect against cuts in the reef which are very unpleasant and take a long time to heal (this is also useful against sea urchins).

  1. The surf leash

Essential if you don’t want to “drink the chalice to the leash” (funny isn’t it?)!

A leash or “surf leash” is essential equipment.

It’s fairly inexpensive, but it can potentially save your life.

So on that we are not stingy! Safety above all.

A good leash should be at least as long as the surfboard, to allow you to move when you fall and avoid getting hit by the board.

  1. The Wax!

surf gear

Admit that it has a little effect to see a surfer “waxing” his board!

Unless your surfboard is equipped with a surf pad, you will also need a little wax.

What does it do ?

It just keeps you from slipping off the board, adding some texture to the feet.

It’s not the most expensive, and on top of that, it gives a very stylish look when you apply your wax to your surfboard.

This is the classic surfer image that is unmistakably cool … until he gets on his board to wallow!

  1. Earplugs

If you plan to surf in cold water, earplugs are a must.

If you do not use them, you may develop what is called surfer’s exostosis (or surfer’s ear), a condition in which small bones grow in the outer ear canal.

It is as painful as it sounds and can lead to infection and even hearing loss.

Unfortunately the only cure is surgery, so do yourself a favor and buy a pair of earplugs and most importantly, use them when surfing in the cold waters!

  1. Sun protection

Skin cancer is no joke and you need to do your best to avoid it!

Even without talking about cancer, prolonged exposure to the sun speeds up the appearance of wrinkles, causes skin discoloration and a variety of other skin problems.

Always carry sunscreen with you, apply it generously and reapply every hour, especially if you’ve been in the water.

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