What surfing equipment do I need?

When you consider how expensive many hobbies have become, surfing isn’t all that expensive. The reason is that once you have the essentials, the ocean itself is free. That being said, there are four basic things you will need.

A surfboard. Our advice if you are reading this and just starting your journey is to get a large foam top surfboard designed for beginners. The bigger the board, the more stable it is going to feel underfoot. So aim for an 8 or 9-footer.

The Wetsuit. You will most likely be in a region that does not always perfectly warm bathtub temperature water and success depends on how comfortable you can stay while in the water. Buying a decent wetsuit is worth the investment. After all, you wouldn’t walk out into a blizzard without a jacket.

Surfboard wax. Surfboards are designed to be slick and hydrodynamic. The downside of this is, it also makes the surfboard slippery when we are trying to stay balanced. That’s why companies like #Stickybumps or #Mr.Zog make a thick wax that you rub onto the top of the board to give you grip. It’s about a dollar or two per bar and well worth it.

Lastly, you will need a leash. The leash is what attaches to your ankle so that if and when you fall, you don’t have to chase the board to the shore. It also keeps your board from going wild and smashing into other surfers. This is starting to become a legal requirement for some regions.

With these essentials, there is nothing stopping you from hours of fun so long as the waves turn on.