Surfboard Gear List for Cold Surf

Winter is a great time to take your surfboard out for some amazing cold water surfing, but it does take some preparation. Here's what you should have packed with your gear if you're planning a trip out to cooler waters.

1.  Cold Water Wax: It's important to have on hand some wax that will remain sticky, even if the wax freezes in the cold water. Cold water wax, like the Sticky Fingers Two Cool Wax bars are great to have on hand when you need to re-wax your board for waters under 68 degrees Fahrenheit. 

2. Wetsuit: For cold waters, surfing without a wetsuit can leave you too cold to stay in the water, and can also be dangerous. If the waters are chilly than usual, but not freezing, you can most likely get away with something like our Hurley Fusion 101 LS Surf Jacket, which is thicker than a long sleeve rash guard, but lighter than wearing a full-on wetsuit. Also pack with your multiple dry clothing and layers, such as boardshorts and a hoodie.

3. Wet/Dry backpack: A dual wet/dry backpack is especially helpful for cold surfing, because in most locations, you're at a disadvantage for getting wet materials to dry quickly when laid out. A backpack like the DaKine Point Wet/Dry backpack comes with a seam sealed waterproof pocket to place a wetsuit or any wet or dirty gear, without getting the rest of your stuff damp. 

4. Beach towel: Getting some new, warm beach towels that are distinctive in design can help you keep track of your towel while keeping you dry is a must-have. 

Don't be unprepared when it comes to your next winter surfing trip. For more tips and gear advice, contact us.

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What to Look For in Used Surfboards

Buying a used surfboard can be a great deal, especially if you are on a tight budget. But it's important to know what to look board in a used surfboard in order to avoid costly repairs. Here's our quick guide on what to look for or ask about when looking at used boards.

1. Look for dings: You'll either find no dings, repaired dings, or not-repaired dings. If the dings are repaired, look closely at how well the repair was taken care of: it should be flushed with the board, smooth, and free of cracks or yellow spots. If it's not repaired, you can bargain on the board for repair costs to fix it, which can put you in a good position as a buyer.

2. Get a clean slate: If you can, get the owner (or his or her permission) to strip the board of stickers, wax, or pads. This will help you identify any major or minor repairs, and know exactly what you're paying for. 

3. Check the fins: Cracks and discoloration around the fins is a sign for worry, signaling a bad board or one that needs a lot of repair. If the fins or fin plugs are stressed or there are minor cracks, these could be easy fixes. But if they are permanent fins, you'll have better luck looking elsewhere.

4. Consider the tail: The rail of the tail is an important spot, so if it's cracked or dinged, steer clear. This is harder to repair, and will likely crack again.

5. Use the buckle test: With permission, push down on middle of the board with your palm: if the test reveals bubbles in the stinger, that buckle can be slight or big. A crease in the crack is a minor fix. Fixing the buckle can mean a stronger board with an excellent repair job, but if the blank or stringer is cracked, you can't be sure whether or not the board will be the same. 

Buy using this checklist, you'll be in a better position to know the condition of the board, and what the real price of it will be. To look at some of our used surfboards for sale, contact us. 

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Surfboard Carver Finds a Place In History

The sport of surfing has an incredible history in and of itself.  This sport traveled around the globe in a way that is fascinating.  However, in addition to the history of the sport of surfing, certain surfers have played a really important role in history. 

If you have seen the classic 1963 film, "The Great Escape" you may know the interesting story of the escape of American soldiers from a German World War II prisoner of war camp.  These prisoners managed to tunnel out of the prison camp, and an integral figure in this harrowing tale is a surfer from Australia.

John Williams was a pilot fighter being held in the POW camp, and before the war he had been a surfboard carver. As most surfers know, surfboard carvers have impressive skills. Williams used his carving skills to help create the tunnel that the prisoners were able to escape through.

According to an article in The Australian by Jennine Khalik, entitled "POW Great Escape Skills Honed on Surfboards,"

"John was one of six Australian air force officers who tunnelled out of the camp. He was the head carpenter, having learned carpentry skills carving wood surfboards back home." 

Unfortunately, after playing an integral role in the escape, John Williams was recaptured by the Nazis and was eventually executed. His story is coming to light know through a book his niece is writing about his life.

Your surfing skills may not make you a part of history, but they are sure to improve when you have the equipment and accessories you need. Please contact us for all your surf needs.

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Could an Algae-oil Based Foam Be the Next Innovation in Surfboards?

Surfers love the great outdoors. Some of their very best days are spent entirely outside from sun up to sun down, catching waves and relaxing on the beach. So, for the most part surfers are very environmentally conscious and do everything they can to help take care of the earth.  The major exception is surfboards. Almost all surfboards are created from polyurethane, a fossil fuel that is pretty rough on the earth.

Ask any environmentalist and they will tell you that the worst part of surfing, environmentally speaking, is polyurethane surfboards. However, polyurethane boards offer the best performance and are affordable to manufacture.

However, a California company is hoping to prove that foam made from algae-oil can replace polyurethane with the same performance and at a cost that is only $10 higher per surfboard. According to an article in Surfer written by Justin Housman, entitled "Growing Foam,"

"Lots of government and private funds are being pumped into labs to turn our little green friends into a cleaner, friendlier petroleum. It just so happened that Mayfield, who was already researching algae oil, is a dedicated surfer. When Arctic Foam starting sniffing around for algae-based PU, Mayfield was just the right surfer-scientist to helm the lab side of the project."

The hope is that in a little over a year, mainstream manufacturers will start adopting algae-oil based foam in their surfboard production.

We would be thrilled to offer surfboards that were gentler on the environment. Please contact us for all your surfing gear, we have an unbelievable selection of equipment, accessories and apparel.

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