Surfing Equipment

Just starting out surfing? Before you buy that incredibly slim and sharp looking board with the costly wetsuit, it's a good idea to borrow some surfing equipment from your surfing friends or rent some and try it out first!

This will give you a feel for different styles of surfing and different boards to learn about what you like.

As you progress in your surfing your board and gear will change. When you are starting out, you should get gear for beginners. As a beginner what you don't want is a small, slim surfboard - it will be difficult to ride and learn on.

Here is the surfing equipment that you will need:

Surfboard

Listen up, Bigger is better! That's right, for once that adage rings true when your a beginner atleast. The equipment you should either start out with is a softboard (made of foam) or buy the biggest surfboard you can possibly carry, probably a 9ft'er. Not cool enough? Well look at it like this, did you learn to drive in a Maserati? I know cool is important but make a comprimise between fashion and function when your just starting out.

Check out how to choose a surfboard for more information!

Check out our selection of Longboards, Funboards, Shortboards and more surfboards in our Girls Surf Shop.

Wetsuit

After that you should go for the best wetsuit your pocket can afford. It's always a good idea to talk to fellow surfers and get their recommendations on what equipment they use, but if you are going to be surfing in cold water you are going to want a wetsuit to make it as comfortable as possible and enable you to stay in the water as long as the surf is good, or to extend your season. If you are in warm waters you may be lucky enough to get away with a collection of boardshorts instead. If this is the case, don't forget your rash guard.

Now you have your basic equipment, consisting of a surfboard and wetsuit (assuming you need one) - what else do you need? Very little actually. A leash and some wax is about it - the rest is optional.

Browse our selection of Full Suits, Springs, Rashguards and Neoprene Tops in our Girls Surf Shop.

Leash

You will need a leash that is at least as long as your board and a suitable diameter for the surf you will be in.

Read more about leashes in the surfboard leashes section or browse our selection of Leashes and Noseguards.

Wax

Waxing your surfboard helps make the deck sticky to help you hold your grip on the board while riding a wave.

The wax is determined by the water temperature you will be using and is applied with a special technique

Read more about how to wax your surfboard, surfboard wax or buy surfboard wax.

Other than your surfboard with leash and possibly a wetsuit, all you need to enjoy surfing is the sea and some waves.

Once you have the basics the rest is free - well virtually, you do have to put the gas in the car to get to the beach.

Equipment for Seasoned Surfers

If you are a more seasoned surfer you may also want to look at other surfing equipment.

You may want to carry spare fins. More recently constructed surfboards have what is known as a Fin Control System, whereby you can remove individual fins and replace them. This has been a major step forward as there is nothing worse than breaking a fin while surfing and having to wait for it to be repaired.

There is also the option of an item called Deck Grip - or Foot Pads- and this is usually placed on the board in the area where the back foot rests. You can however have it the length of the board if you want to. This replaces the need for board wax and is an innovative piece of equipment that saves on wax and your time.